DOCTOR WHO

Doctor What?

Doctor Who is a British science fiction TV show that began in 1963. It was produced by the BBC and created by Sydney Newman and Verity Lambert, who was the first woman to produce drama at the BBC. The idea was to make a show that could be both entertaining and educational, mixing history with science fiction. Over time, it became one of the most iconic and beloved sci-fi shows in the world.

The story follows the Doctor, an alien who travels through time and space in a ship called the TARDIS. From the outside, it looks like a blue police box, but inside it’s enormous and full of strange technology. One very clever idea was that the Doctor can regenerate when badly injured or near death, which means the Doctor changes appearance and personality. This allows new actors to take on the role and keeps the show fresh.

Many different actors have played the Doctor. For example, Tom Baker wore a long scarf and had jelly babies. David Tennant made the Doctor fun and emotional. Jodie Whittaker, the first woman to play the role, brought warmth and curiosity. Each incarnation of the Doctor is different, but all care deeply about helping people and fighting injustice.

The Doctor is always accompanied by companions who travel with them. These companions, such as Sarah Jane, Donna, or Amy, help the Doctor and also learn and grow through their adventures. They’re a big part of why the show is so emotional and relatable.

The show features many types of stories. One episode might be set in the past with a famous figure like Shakespeare, while another might take place on a spaceship or an alien planet. Some episodes are funny, others scary or emotional. For example, Vincent and the Doctor is a touching story about the artist Van Gogh, while Blink is a scary episode with eerie weeping angels statues that move when you’re not looking. Even when an episode isn’t brilliant, fans still enjoy discussing it. The show has had its ups and downs, but this mix makes it more interesting. It feels alive, organic, like it’s always evolving and regenerating.

The music is also important. The theme tune, created in the 1960s by Delia Derbyshire and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, was one of the first TV themes made using electronic sounds. Later, composers like Murray Gold and Segun Akinola wrote beautiful and powerful scores that made many scenes unforgettable. Just listen to the music from episodes like Doomsday, The Rings of Akhaten, Heaven Sent, Spyfall, ...

The show was cancelled in 1989 but returned in 1996 as a TV movie co-produced by the BBC and Fox. Although it was meant to revive the series, it didn’t lead to a full return at the time. In the early 1990s, Steven Spielberg expressed interest in bringing Doctor Who to screens again but the project didn’t come to fruition. Finally, in 2005, Doctor Who was successfully revived by Russell T Davies with a fresh style that respected the original spirit while appealing to modern audiences. This “New Who” era brought two successful spin-offs (Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures) and a huge new fanbase worldwide. More recently, since 2023, the BBC has made a deal with Disney to help promote and distribute Doctor Who globally, opening new doors for the show’s future. We’re still waiting for Disney to commission Season 3, following the release of the upcoming spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea, set to premiere in 2026.

In the end, Doctor Who is more than just a science fiction show. It’s a story about hope, change, and the idea that anyone can make a difference, no matter how small or ordinary they may seem. That message, which began in a small BBC studio in 1963, still resonates with people today. 

May Doctor Who go on for all time and space…

21 sept. 2025

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