Billie Piper’s Return Exposes Doctor Who’s Biggest Problem

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Due to Ncuti Gatwa’s surprising exit from Doctor Who and Billie Piper‘s largely unanticipated comeback, reactions to the most recent season finale have ranged from quite varied to outright divided.

In the grand finale of Season 15, titled “The Reality War,” the story concluded with an impactful scene showing the Fifteenth Doctor, played by Gatwa, undergoing regeneration to reveal none other than the iconic Doctor Who character, Rose Tyler, who was previously a companion, portrayed by Piper.

The specifics regarding her fresh role remain vague; it’s yet to be determined if she’s portraying the Sixteenth Doctor, an alternate version of Rose, or someone completely different – and we may not know for a while.

Although I adore Doctor Who (and particularly Piper), a moment that might have left me speechless was instead overshadowed by sadness, as Piper’s comeback underscores what I consider to be the main issue this season – an aspect that once made Doctor Who exceptional: its character growth.

In the year 2005, Russell T Davies stated that when he revived Doctor Who on television, he possessed an unexpected advantage with Billie Piper as a cast member. However, what truly gave him an edge was the character of Rose.

Right from the start, Rose seemed incredibly lifelike. Although a significant part of that authenticity could be attributed to Piper’s exceptional acting skills, it was also undeniably influenced by the skillful writing.

As a passionate cinema enthusiast, I must say, Rose was not just a character; she was a living, breathing individual who evolved into a fully-fledged persona in her own right. Case in point, the legendary Jackie Tyler, portrayed by the extraordinary Camille Coduri, left an indelible mark on us all. Yet, beyond her family and friends, Rose had aspirations, ambitions, vulnerabilities, and imperfections that we came to understand intimately over time.

As I sat down for another episode of Doctor Who, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia upon the return of Piper. It was her character-driven storylines that had once made this show a standout in the world of modern television. With her back, the series seemed to lose a piece of its charm. Now, with her return, I find myself reminded of why I fell in love with Doctor Who in the first place.

Although Millie Gibson and Varada Sethu delivered outstanding performances, their characters in Doctor Who seem to lack the attention and development they deserve compared to previous seasons.

One major factor is that we didn’t get sufficient time to understand these characters due to the reduced number of episodes. Previously, we could explore a character’s growth over a 13-episode series, but the last two seasons have been condensed to just eight episodes. This significant reduction in episode count greatly impacts their character development.

In my humble opinion, it’s undeniable that the recent changes have trimmed down some minor yet crucial interactions between the Doctor and the travelers – those fleeting instances within the TARDIS that subtly illustrate their bond and provide a glimpse into their relationship dynamics.

In the case of Ruby and Belinda, there were some peculiar decisions regarding their scripts, possibly because of time constraints during the season or other factors at play. Towards the end of Season 15, it seemed as though their departures were hastily executed, with Ruby’s farewell from the Doctor feeling particularly abrupt in the TARDIS.

In season 14, Ruby’s family background was touched upon, hinting at intriguing aspects related to foundlings and the essence of family. Regrettably, characters like Carla (Michelle Greenidge) and Cherry (Angela Wynter), who also appear in Ruby’s family, did not receive the same level of character development. This is noticeable when compared to families such as the Tylers, the Joneses, or the Nobles, which were skillfully developed in earlier seasons of Doctor Who.

Initially, Belinda, a character who defied the stereotypes imposed on her at the start of the season, seems to have undergone a drastic change by the end, sacrificing everything for motherhood. While this could be plausible in Doctor Who, it felt inconsistent with the character development we had seen in Belinda.

Initially, Carole Ann Ford portrayed Susan Foreman, our initial companion. After a long wait, she made brief and unclear appearances throughout the season. If Doctor Who comes back, we might see more of her, but it’s an unusual ending for the season.

As a devoted fan of Doctor Who, I can’t help but notice the significant shift in the show’s production over the past two seasons. The Disney deal and the inflated budget have undeniably taken center stage. In earlier times, Doctor Who was compelled to hone its character-driven narratives due to financial constraints. Now, with a larger budget comes grander storylines, but if these tales lack the emotional depth that initially drew fans into this captivating universe, then what’s the purpose?

Currently, it appears that Doctor Who is leaning heavily on past nostalgia by bringing back an actor that takes the show back in time, stirring memories of what some fans consider the show’s golden era. This development might raise concerns since one of the fundamental aspects of Doctor Who is its capacity to regenerate and progress.

However, importantly, there’s still hope. It has been announced that Doctor Who will continue on BBC, even if Disney doesn’t commission another season. This news aligns with Davies’ statement about having plans for an additional two seasons.

In the event that it happens, I am optimistic that Davies might permit it to revert back to its origins, featuring extended seasons and focusing predominantly on character development. Previously, he has demonstrated this ability, and I remain confident in his potential to repeat this success.

One of his greatest abilities lies in creating characters that seem remarkably lifelike, a skill evident throughout his various works, such as It’s a Sin and Years and Years.

In essence, much like how Rose Tyler portrayed it so movingly, Doctor Who has always been more than just monsters, aliens, and epic fights; it’s fundamentally a tale of humanity. It’s high time we revisit this humanistic aspect.

Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on Disney+ outside of the UK.

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2025-06-06 15:35