Why shelving Dr Who could be the best thing to happen to it
The future of Doctor Who may hang in the balance, according to reports. Would resting the sci-fi show preserve its value?
Doctor Who is facing the axe, with star Ncuti Gatwa poised to quit and crew at the show’s Cardiff base claiming they are to be laid off, according to reports.
The mooted cancellation of the drama, first binned by BBC boss Michael Grade in 1985 and rebooted in 2005, is attributed to falling ratings and uncertainty over whether Disney will extend its multi-million dollar production deal.
The BBC has been quick to dispatch the reports, first published in The Sun, to a distant galaxy.
A decision on whether Disney will extend its partnership can only be taken after the streamer has taken delivery of the second batch of 26 episodes under its contract with the BBC, and assessed subscriber reaction, the UK broadcaster says. The new season will land in spring on Disney and the BBC.
Observers of the Whoniverse note that hard-headed Disney bosses have not exactly been sending signals that a third season is a slam dunk.
The decision will ultimately rest on whether Doctor Who is considered an incentive to renew each month by Disney’s international subscribers.
Losing the Disney deal, which boosted the budget for each episode to up to £10m, would force the BBC to ask serious questions over whether Doctor Who could continue without the outside resources which have finally allowed the series Hollywood-style production values.
But shelving Doctor Who could actually be the best move to preserve the franchise’s long-term value.
In the years after the 2005 reinvention, the show established itself as a must-see Saturday night fixture.
More than 11 million viewers watched the regeneration episodes marking the end of David Tennant and Matt Smith’s tenures in the Tardis.
Gatwa’s first season attracted between 2.25 million and 3.18 million viewers – although the figures often passed four million once iPlayer viewing was added and Christmas special Joy To The World has reached seven million plays.
Overnight ratings are no longer relevant in the streaming age, BBC number crunchers insist. Yet “resting” Doctor Who for, say, five years would make the return of the series, which debuted in 1963, a TV event once again.
It would also allow a creative reset. The reboot, bookended by Russell T Davies’ two terms as showrunner, has created a towering back-story mythos for the Doctor, which makes it harder for new viewers to find their feet.
Although Davies retains creative control, Disney’s millions also gives the global streamer the right to add notes and recommend script changes.
Episodes now debut at midnight on iPlayer in the UK before their BBC One screening under the Disney global distribution deal.
“Doctor Who 2030” would return complete control over a great British brand to the BBC, even if the show is asked to sweep viewers through time and space with less money.
However, axing Doctor Who would be a serious blow to the skilled craft team at Wolf Studios Wales in Cardiff, who were given a major boost by the Disney deal. The Sun report quoted crew sources saying they were told not to expect any further Doctor Who work for years.
Whovians need not be left entirely bereft if the show is shelved. A spin-off, The War Between The Land And The Sea, is currently shooting in Cardiff, in partnership with Disney. If successful, its initial run of five episodes could be extended and fill a gap.
The BBC said the Sun report was incorrect. A spokesperson said: “Doctor Who has not been shelved. As we have previously stated, the decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs.”
“The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes – and exactly half of those still have to transmit. And as for the rest, we never comment on the Doctor and future storylines.”
