It feels like a long time ago when Ncuti Gatwa’s tenure as the Fifteenth Doctor came to an abrupt end, as he regenerated into Billie Piper. The move was met with mixed reactions and even led to some humorous commentary from the Sex Education star during an SNL UK monologue nearly a year later.
Doctor Who is now set to revisit this controversial decision, as the BBC has confirmed that the Time Lord will return in 2026 for a Christmas special written by Russell T Davies. However, there are growing doubts about whether this is the right direction for the show.
For devoted Whovians, whispers of discontent have been circulating for months, despite the BBC’s renewed confidence in the Tardis. Reports suggest that the upcoming Christmas special might be at risk, as no one seems eager to step into the role of the Sixteenth Doctor. Insiders have described the position as a “poisoned chalice,” highlighting the challenges faced by those who have taken on the role in the past.
One of the main obstacles in the casting process is the “baggage” from recent seasons of the show. Although Disney officially ended its partnership with the franchise, Davies remains as show-runner. Despite this, it seems clear that the current struggle to find a new Doctor indicates that it may be time for him to step down.
The BBC might have brought Davies back to address his own nostalgic inclusion of Billie Piper, which some fans compared to a last-ditch effort to save a sinking ship. However, the ongoing search for a Doctor suggests that the BBC isn’t satisfied with a simple rehash of past elements. It’s understandable why Piper might not want to return, given the reception of her previous stint.
There’s also the issue of low ratings and the lack of a clear direction for the show. Cheap tricks won’t be enough to keep audiences engaged. While I believe Russell T Davies is a visionary who played a significant role in reviving the franchise in 2005, I no longer think he is the right person to lead the show.
My concerns have grown since watching Space Babies, one of the first seasons featuring Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor. The episodes I enjoyed most, Boom and Rogue, were not written by Davies. The exception was Lux, an episode that showcased Davies’ talent but did not make up for the overall shortcomings of the season.
Gatwa’s run was disappointing in many ways. Instead of solid storytelling, the series relied on callbacks and cameos, with a focus on appealing to a younger, more international audience. Classic villains were replaced with weaker, less impactful characters, and the show’s rich history was often explained in simplistic terms.
The release schedule was also designed to accommodate different time zones, with seasons labeled as Season One and Season Two when acquired by Disney. This approach seemed to disregard the show’s legacy and history.
When Gatwa decided to leave, it felt like Davies used the nostalgia of Billie Piper to keep the show afloat. While Disney’s lack of commitment could be beneficial for the show in the long run, it’s clear that Davies’ vision for global expansion is not sustainable.
Despite his contributions, there is little in his recent work that matches the impact he had in 2005. For Doctor Who to rise again, it needs fresh ideas and a new perspective.
If we’re considering potential replacements, Charlie Brooker, the creator of Black Mirror, could bring a unique approach to the Doctor. Alternatively, women like Kate Herron and Briony Redman, who wrote the standout episode Rogue, could offer a fresh voice to the show.
While I still admire Davies’ brilliance, it’s time for him to step aside and let someone else take the reins. The show deserves a new direction and a fresh wave of creativity.
