Government Interference Threatens Doctor Who Rescue Initiative by Russell T Davies
Breaking news, Who fans! Get ready to feast your eyes on the new season of Doctor Who! The show’s latest relaunch is taking a fresh turn, with a new doctor, companion, and a dazzling new home on the small screen - Disney+.
Way back when, the special episodes graced both Disney and the BBC, causing quite the buzz in the doctor’s homeland. But this time around, when Doctor Who premieres on May 10, it’ll be rolling out digitally first, streaming in primetime on the East Coast of the U.S., and hitting the BBC iPlayer worldwide at midnight local time, before eventually airing on TV in the UK later in the day.
The show’s mastermind, Russell T Davies, hasn’t shied away from controversy surrounding this shift. In a recent interview with io9, he opened up about the decision to bring Doctor Who to Disney, "I don’t think it's right that [an increase in budget] comes from the BBC license fee. I think it’s right that we go to a bigger broadcaster, a bigger platform, and go into co-production with them." Davies returned to the series five years ago for the anniversary specials, and he’s more than excited to continue the legacy on an unprecedented scale.
With a reign of nearly 40 years in British television, Davies has shaped the industry in more ways than one, tackling everything from children's programming to cutting-edge LGBTQ series like Queer as Folk, and of course, genre favorites like Doctor Who, Torchwood, and more. He was the perfect pick for the adventure ahead, offering a fresh perspective while upholding the show's original charm.
One significant aspect that Davies will be bringing to the table is elevating queer storylines. Gone are the days of nuanced representation; the new season of Doctor Who plans to throw open the doors, embracing and celebrating queerness in a casual and natural way. Fans can expect gender-defying fashion choices from the new doctor, Ncuti Gatwa, and the introduction of more diverse queer characters, like Donna Noble’s trans daughter, Rose, played by Heartstopper’s Yasmin Finney.
The fruitful partnership between the BBC and Disney is driving Doctor Who's growth, allowing the show to infiltrate new markets and attract a broader audience while preserving its British essence. With this move, Davies is reimagining how television is made and consumed in the UK, nudging the industry towards co-productions and collaborations with streamers like Disney. It's an exciting time for Who lovers, as the new era of Doctor Who is shaping up to be a thrilling continuation of Davies' influential work!
Tune in to the premiere on May 10, as Doctor Who makes its grand entrance on Disney+, and gets a taste of the action on the BBC iPlayer later that day. Can't wait to see what unfolds!
- Russell T Davies, the mastermind behind Doctor Who, has probably inherited a new platform for the show's future with its relaunch on Disney+, Unlike the special episodes that graced both Disney and BBC in the past.
- The decision to bring Doctor Who to Disney was defended by Davies, who stated in an interview with io9 that the increase in budget should come from a bigger broadcaster and platform.
- In the new season of Doctor Who, queer storylines are planned to be elevated, with gender-defying fashion choices from the new doctor and the introduction of more diverse queer characters, showing a probable shift towards casual and natural representation.
- The partnership between the BBC and Disney could lead to a relaunch of Doctor Who that redefines television in the future, as Davies aims to drive the industry towards co-productions and collaborations with streamers like Disney.
