One Doctor Who producer shared how the BBC was doubtful about reviving the series. The long-running sci-fi series attracted audiences from across the United Kingdom and quickly gained a following internationally. Today, the show maintains a strong grip on worldwide audiences and remains the BBC’s most prominent property. The franchise has even become the longest-running science fiction show in history, as it first debuted in 1963. The current Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa, is set to return for the upcoming Doctor Who season 15. However, it appears that the BBC initially had doubts about the revival.
In an interview with Doctor Who Magazine, showrunner Russell T Davies reflected on those early days, alongside producers Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter. While they were determined to fight to see the revival, the BBC was relying on “an enormously cynical piece of research” to argue against Doctor Who‘s return. Check out some of the comments below:
Julie Gardner: It basically said there was nothing that could bring a co-audience to a sci-fi show. That if children liked a show, their parents wouldn’t. And if parents liked it, it wouldn’t be cool enough for children.
Russell T Davies: It was an enormously cynical piece of research. And it proved the opposite – sometimes children love what their parents love. Because they love their parents.
Julie Gardner: I mean, what can you do with that? You’re deep into it by that point. There’s no value to knowing that. Actually, I’m going to correct that: There is value in knowing that, because it makes you work harder. It makes you want to prove people wrong.
Jane Tranter: Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith…
Though they acknowledged the BBC’s concern about the show, Davies and Gardner still had faith that it would thrive on the network. When prompted, the pair discussed when they knew that the revival would succeed:
Russell T Davies: The Daleks. When we did the tests with the Daleks in the corridors of the Millenium Centre, and saw the reaction of people like Julie – who had no inherited, nostalgic love of Doctor Who, which is why she’s a very good taker of temperature on the show. There’s a marvelous clip of her being fascinated by the Daleks, and everyone’s eye being drawn to it. And that’s also when paparazzi journalists were grabbing shots of it, and stiff like that. You began to get that buzz – which, for all we might complain about spoilers, my god we wanted it back then. So yeah, that was a great moment.
Julie Gardner: For me it was Billie Piper [Rose]. There was a moment on-set, early on, where I and the whole crew were just quietly watching what Billie Piper was doing, and it was incredible. It was star power. Chris Eccleston was obviously astonishing – what an incredible Doctor. But its’ the companion who holds the audience’s hand, and gives them a way into the story, and to see the way people engaged with Rose Tyler was extraordinary.
What The BBC’s Doubts Meant For Doctor Who
It Made The Show Even Better
According to Davies, Gardner, and Tranter, the BBC lacked faith in the show. While it was a staple on the network for over 25 years, it had been off the air for 16. Audio dramas, a TV movie, and a stubborn community of enthusiastic fans kept the franchise alive for nearly two decades. Davies’ dreams of a revival were shared by many, but only the BBC could renew the show. Christopher Eccelston’s Doctor was key to overcoming that skepticism, with David Tennant and Matt Smith eventually carrying that torch. The BBC research seemed faulty, as the sci-fi show remains on after 16 years, bringing in old and new audiences.
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Doctor Who: Every Doctor & Who Played Them (In Chronological Order)
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However, the conversation about the show’s momentum comes at an interesting time, with recent rumors about its cancellation ahead of season 15. This comes after reports of underwhelming viewership, especially in light of the BBC and Disney deal. However, the BBC has since debunked the report, saying that it was “incorrect” and that the show “has not been shelved.” Still, it has raised questions about the show’s future beyond season 15 since it’s unknown whether Gatwa will return for a third installment, let alone if Disney and BBC will renew it.
Our Take On BBC’s Doctor Who Doubts
The Hesitation Made Sense At The Time
As easy as it would be to rally against the BBC for doubting the show, it would be a mistake. After all, there was a reason that Doctor Who was canceled in the ’80s. The show had lost the audience’s attention with Colin Baker’s abrasive Sixth Doctor, and Sylvester McCoy’s Seventh could not salvage the series. Even a TV movie did not revive widespread interest, which only adds to the receipts that the revival would work. In hindsight, Doctor Who is an undeniable success, but at the time, it was an expensive and risky proposition for the BBC.
Doctor Who season 15 will begin on April 12, 2025. Episodes will air weekly at 3 A.M. ET.
Source: Doctor Who Magazine
Doctor Who
- Release Date
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1963 – 1988
- Writers
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Sydney Newman
