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Also important to creating the atmosphere of the early series were [[composer]]s [[Ron Grainer]] and [[Delia Derbyshire]]. Grainer wrote the basic melody of the [[Doctor Who theme|''Doctor Who'' theme]], and Derbyshire, with the [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]], transformed it into a pioneering piece of electronica music. There have been several arrangements used of the theme, but the basic melody has remained unchanged throughout the show's history. No new piece of music has ever been commissioned as a theme, making it one of the longest-serving signature tunes in television history. | Also important to creating the atmosphere of the early series were [[composer]]s [[Ron Grainer]] and [[Delia Derbyshire]]. Grainer wrote the basic melody of the [[Doctor Who theme|''Doctor Who'' theme]], and Derbyshire, with the [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]], transformed it into a pioneering piece of electronica music. There have been several arrangements used of the theme, but the basic melody has remained unchanged throughout the show's history. No new piece of music has ever been commissioned as a theme, making it one of the longest-serving signature tunes in television history. | ||
''An Unearthly Child'' introduced the [[First Doctor|first incarnation of the Doctor]], played by character actor [[William Hartnell]]. Supporting him were [[William Russell]] and [[Jacqueline Hill]] as [[Ian Chesterton]] and [[Barbara Wright]], respectively, and [[Carole Ann Ford]] as the Doctor's granddaughter, [[Susan Foreman]]. These four would form the core cast of the series throughout its [[Season 1|first season]] and into the [[Season 2|second]]. | ''An Unearthly Child'' introduced the [[First Doctor|first incarnation of the Doctor]], played by character actor [[William Hartnell]]. Supporting him were [[William Russell]] and [[Jacqueline Hill]] as [[Ian Chesterton]] and [[Barbara Wright]], respectively, and [[Carole Ann Ford]] as the Doctor's granddaughter, [[Susan Foreman]]. These four would form the core cast of the series throughout its [[Season 1 (Doctor Who 1963)|first season]] and into the [[Season 2 (Doctor Who 1963)|second]]. | ||
From very early on, the television show spawned a sub-genre of the franchise in the form of short stories in various shapes and forms from small one-paper issues to short novels to even telling a story on a set of cards. This genre has developed throughout the years into massive shorts and anthologies and is still holding up in the [[21st century]]. | From very early on, the television show spawned a sub-genre of the franchise in the form of short stories in various shapes and forms from small one-paper issues to short novels to even telling a story on a set of cards. This genre has developed throughout the years into massive shorts and anthologies and is still holding up in the [[21st century]]. | ||
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The experiment of regenerating the Doctor occurred again in [[1970 (releases)|1970]] with the introduction of one-time comic actor [[Jon Pertwee]] as the [[Third Doctor]], a move that also coincided with the series changing to colour production. Once again, this was successful and ''Doctor Who'' continued to establish itself as a British TV institution, although it remained virtually unknown in American markets. | The experiment of regenerating the Doctor occurred again in [[1970 (releases)|1970]] with the introduction of one-time comic actor [[Jon Pertwee]] as the [[Third Doctor]], a move that also coincided with the series changing to colour production. Once again, this was successful and ''Doctor Who'' continued to establish itself as a British TV institution, although it remained virtually unknown in American markets. | ||
In [[1973 (releases)|1973]] the show celebrated its tenth anniversary, notably in its [[Season 10|10th season]], with the story ''[[The Three Doctors (TV story)|The Three Doctors]]'', which also brought back former actors [[William Hartnell]] as the [[First Doctor]] and [[Patrick Troughton]] as the [[Second Doctor]] alongside Pertwee, in what would establish the Doctor being able to meet himself. | In [[1973 (releases)|1973]] the show celebrated its tenth anniversary, notably in its [[Season 10 (Doctor Who 1963)|10th season]], with the story ''[[The Three Doctors (TV story)|The Three Doctors]]'', which also brought back former actors [[William Hartnell]] as the [[First Doctor]] and [[Patrick Troughton]] as the [[Second Doctor]] alongside Pertwee, in what would establish the Doctor being able to meet himself. | ||
The name of the Doctor's planet, [[Gallifrey]] came in the [[1974]] story ''[[The Time Warrior (TV story)|The Time Warrior]]'', the term "regeneration", however, wasn't coined until the ending of Pertwee's era, ''[[Planet of the Spiders (TV story)|Planet of the Spiders]]'' in [[1974 (releases)|1974]]. | The name of the Doctor's planet, [[Gallifrey]] came in the [[1974]] story ''[[The Time Warrior (TV story)|The Time Warrior]]'', the term "regeneration", however, wasn't coined until the ending of Pertwee's era, ''[[Planet of the Spiders (TV story)|Planet of the Spiders]]'' in [[1974 (releases)|1974]]. | ||
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The [[1974 (releases)|1974]] serial ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]'' began featuring [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] in the intro sequence, a feature that lasted until ''[[The Leisure Hive (TV story)|The Leisure Hive]]'' in [[1980 (releases)|1980]]. | The [[1974 (releases)|1974]] serial ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]'' began featuring [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] in the intro sequence, a feature that lasted until ''[[The Leisure Hive (TV story)|The Leisure Hive]]'' in [[1980 (releases)|1980]]. | ||
In [[1976 (releases)|1976]], [[season 13]] episode 5 ''[[The Brain of Morbius (TV story)|The Brain of Morbius]]'' aired, which saw a [[mindbending]] contest take place between the Doctor and evil [[Time Lord]] [[Morbius]] in which no less than 8 faces appeared meant to be faces of the Doctor prior to [[William Hartnell]]'s [[First Doctor]]. While [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] would go on to state that he intended to imply that Hartnell wasn't the first, many fans of the show blatantly dismissed this, concluding that it either wasn't valid, that they were the faces of Morbius amongst others. Indeed, multiple other stories would back these statements by firmly continuing to put Hartnell's version as being the original Doctor. | In [[1976 (releases)|1976]], [[Season 13 (Doctor Who 1963)|season 13]] episode 5 ''[[The Brain of Morbius (TV story)|The Brain of Morbius]]'' aired, which saw a [[mindbending]] contest take place between the Doctor and evil [[Time Lord]] [[Morbius]] in which no less than 8 faces appeared meant to be faces of the Doctor prior to [[William Hartnell]]'s [[First Doctor]]. While [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] would go on to state that he intended to imply that Hartnell wasn't the first, many fans of the show blatantly dismissed this, concluding that it either wasn't valid, that they were the faces of Morbius amongst others. Indeed, multiple other stories would back these statements by firmly continuing to put Hartnell's version as being the original Doctor. | ||
In [[1979 (releases)|1979]], ''Doctor Who'' saw its first [[DWM comic stories|comic strip story]] released in ''[[Doctor Who Weekly]]'' (later ''Doctor Who Magazine'') with ''[[Doctor Who and the Iron Legion (comic story)|Doctor Who and the Iron Legion]]''. This tradition has been constant with every issue of the magazine, except two. | In [[1979 (releases)|1979]], ''Doctor Who'' saw its first [[DWM comic stories|comic strip story]] released in ''[[Doctor Who Weekly]]'' (later ''Doctor Who Magazine'') with ''[[Doctor Who and the Iron Legion (comic story)|Doctor Who and the Iron Legion]]''. This tradition has been constant with every issue of the magazine, except two. | ||
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The year 1983 also saw the release of the first ever ''Doctor Who'' [[video game]], ''[[The First Adventure (video game)|The First Adventure]]'' made for [[BBC Micro]]. | The year 1983 also saw the release of the first ever ''Doctor Who'' [[video game]], ''[[The First Adventure (video game)|The First Adventure]]'' made for [[BBC Micro]]. | ||
Davison did [[Season 21|another season]] in [[1984 (releases)|1984]] before [[Colin Baker]] followed as the [[Sixth Doctor]]. With him the BBC further experimented with the format, moving from twenty-minute to forty-five-minute episodes. Nathan-Turner also experimented with the characterisation of the Doctor, intentionally making the Sixth Doctor initially unlikeable in order to create a new dynamic. Neither experiment was successful. Colin Baker's tenure was marked by a serious threat to the show's survival when the BBC, citing low ratings, announced it was ending the series after the [[1985 (releases)|1985]] season, its [[Season 22|22nd]]. Following immediate outcry, this decision was modified to become an eighteen-month hiatus. During the hiatus, fan efforts were launched to get the show back sooner. These included the recording of a charity record called "[[Doctor in Distress]]" by cast members. [[BBC Radio]] tried to fill the void by producing the first made-for-radio ''Doctor Who'' serial, ''[[Slipback (audio story)|Slipback]]'', starring Colin Baker. | Davison did [[Season 21 (Doctor Who 1963)|another season]] in [[1984 (releases)|1984]] before [[Colin Baker]] followed as the [[Sixth Doctor]]. With him the BBC further experimented with the format, moving from twenty-minute to forty-five-minute episodes. Nathan-Turner also experimented with the characterisation of the Doctor, intentionally making the Sixth Doctor initially unlikeable in order to create a new dynamic. Neither experiment was successful. Colin Baker's tenure was marked by a serious threat to the show's survival when the BBC, citing low ratings, announced it was ending the series after the [[1985 (releases)|1985]] season, its [[Season 22 (Doctor Who 1963)|22nd]]. Following immediate outcry, this decision was modified to become an eighteen-month hiatus. During the hiatus, fan efforts were launched to get the show back sooner. These included the recording of a charity record called "[[Doctor in Distress]]" by cast members. [[BBC Radio]] tried to fill the void by producing the first made-for-radio ''Doctor Who'' serial, ''[[Slipback (audio story)|Slipback]]'', starring Colin Baker. | ||
Following that, the BBC released another BBC Micro game, ''[[Doctor Who and the Warlord (video game)|Doctor Who and the Warlord]]''. | Following that, the BBC released another BBC Micro game, ''[[Doctor Who and the Warlord (video game)|Doctor Who and the Warlord]]''. | ||
The series returned in [[1986 (releases)|1986]] with a season-long story arc, ''[[Season 23|The Trial of a Time Lord]]'', but with greatly reduced screen time. Fourteen episodes were allotted for the season, up from thirteen the previous season, but with episode lengths returned to twenty-five minutes. This was roughly half the storytelling time of recent seasons. | The series returned in [[1986 (releases)|1986]] with a season-long story arc, ''[[Season 23 (Doctor Who 1963)|The Trial of a Time Lord]]'', but with greatly reduced screen time. Fourteen episodes were allotted for the season, up from thirteen the previous season, but with episode lengths returned to twenty-five minutes. This was roughly half the storytelling time of recent seasons. | ||
Along with that a third video game was released, now also created for [[computer]], called ''[[Doctor Who and the Mines of Terror (video game)|Doctor Who and the Mines of Terror]]''. | Along with that a third video game was released, now also created for [[computer]], called ''[[Doctor Who and the Mines of Terror (video game)|Doctor Who and the Mines of Terror]]''. | ||
Although the TARDIS did not show up in the original [[title sequence]], the [[2019]] special edition of ''[[Terror of the Vervoids (TV story)|Terror of the Vervoids]]'', released with ''[[Season 23|Season 23: The Collection]]'', added the TARDIS to its title sequence.<!--If someone can make it fit better with the statement at the end of McCoy's section below, feel free.--> | Although the TARDIS did not show up in the original [[title sequence]], the [[2019]] special edition of ''[[Terror of the Vervoids (TV story)|Terror of the Vervoids]]'', released with ''[[Season 23 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 23: The Collection]]'', added the TARDIS to its title sequence.<!--If someone can make it fit better with the statement at the end of McCoy's section below, feel free.--> | ||
=== End of an era === | === End of an era === | ||
Although the show's return garnered sufficient ratings for the [[BBC]] to grant a stay of execution and renew it for a [[season 24|twenty-fourth season]], Colin Baker's contract as the Doctor was not renewed and he ceded the role to [[Sylvester McCoy]] as the [[Seventh Doctor]] in [[1987 (production)|1987]]. | Although the show's return garnered sufficient ratings for the [[BBC]] to grant a stay of execution and renew it for a [[season 24 (Doctor Who 1963)|twenty-fourth season]], Colin Baker's contract as the Doctor was not renewed and he ceded the role to [[Sylvester McCoy]] as the [[Seventh Doctor]] in [[1987 (production)|1987]]. | ||
The series survived the hiatus, but never regained ratings needed for ongoing survival, constantly being beaten in the ratings by ''[[Coronation Street]]''. Towards the end, it garnered ratings barely in the three million range, compared to eleven million at the peak of the Tom Baker era. | The series survived the hiatus, but never regained ratings needed for ongoing survival, constantly being beaten in the ratings by ''[[Coronation Street]]''. Towards the end, it garnered ratings barely in the three million range, compared to eleven million at the peak of the Tom Baker era. | ||
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During McCoy's era, the series celebrated its 25th anniversary on TV. One of the year's serials, ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'', returned the Doctor to [[76 Totter's Lane]], where it all began in 1963. | During McCoy's era, the series celebrated its 25th anniversary on TV. One of the year's serials, ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'', returned the Doctor to [[76 Totter's Lane]], where it all began in 1963. | ||
Following production of the [[Season 26|twenty-sixth season]], Nathan-Turner learned that the show would not be renewed immediately for a twenty-seventh. After having McCoy record a series-ending monologue, the final episode — part 3 of the ironically titled ''[[Survival (TV story)|Survival]]'' — aired on [[6 December (releases)|6 December]] [[1989 (releases)|1989]], bringing ''Doctor Who''{{'}}s marathon 26-year run to a close. The ''Doctor Who'' Production Office closed down the following summer. | Following production of the [[Season 26 (Doctor Who 1963)|twenty-sixth season]], Nathan-Turner learned that the show would not be renewed immediately for a twenty-seventh. After having McCoy record a series-ending monologue, the final episode — part 3 of the ironically titled ''[[Survival (TV story)|Survival]]'' — aired on [[6 December (releases)|6 December]] [[1989 (releases)|1989]], bringing ''Doctor Who''{{'}}s marathon 26-year run to a close. The ''Doctor Who'' Production Office closed down the following summer. | ||
It has never been made clear whether the BBC ever actually "cancelled" ''Doctor Who'' in [[1989 (production)|1989]], or simply put the series on hold. One of the first to state outright that the show was cancelled was co-star [[Sophie Aldred]] in the documentary ''[[More than 30 Years in the TARDIS]]''. | It has never been made clear whether the BBC ever actually "cancelled" ''Doctor Who'' in [[1989 (production)|1989]], or simply put the series on hold. One of the first to state outright that the show was cancelled was co-star [[Sophie Aldred]] in the documentary ''[[More than 30 Years in the TARDIS]]''. | ||
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=== The triumphant return === | === The triumphant return === | ||
In [[2003 (releases)|2003]] for the 40th anniversary, the [[BBC]] released the 6-part webcast ''[[Scream of the Shalka (webcast)|Scream of the Shalka]]'', in which [[Richard E Grant]] was introduced as the Ninth Doctor. Intended to be an "official" continuation of the television series, [[Ninth Doctor (Scream of the Shalka)|this version of the character]] was soon after ignored by the [[Series 1 (Doctor Who)|2005 series]] revival. The BBC stunned fans by announcing in [[2003 (production)|2003]] that its Welsh production office, [[BBC Wales]], had been given the go-ahead to produce a brand-new series of ''Doctor Who''. The series would be [[producer|produced]] by [[Russell T Davies]] and [[Julie Gardner]]. Davies, since his days writing ''Doctor Who'' fiction for Virgin, had gone on to create the critically acclaimed series, {{wi|Queer as Folk (British TV series)|Queer as Folk}}. | In [[2003 (releases)|2003]] for the 40th anniversary, the [[BBC]] released the 6-part webcast ''[[Scream of the Shalka (webcast)|Scream of the Shalka]]'', in which [[Richard E Grant]] was introduced as the Ninth Doctor. Intended to be an "official" continuation of the television series, [[Ninth Doctor (Scream of the Shalka)|this version of the character]] was soon after ignored by the [[Series 1 (Doctor Who 2005)|2005 series]] revival. The BBC stunned fans by announcing in [[2003 (production)|2003]] that its Welsh production office, [[BBC Wales]], had been given the go-ahead to produce a brand-new series of ''Doctor Who''. The series would be [[producer|produced]] by [[Russell T Davies]] and [[Julie Gardner]]. Davies, since his days writing ''Doctor Who'' fiction for Virgin, had gone on to create the critically acclaimed series, {{wi|Queer as Folk (British TV series)|Queer as Folk}}. | ||
Meanwhile, the BBC released two new video games on their website, ''[[TARDIS Tennis (video game)|TARDIS Tennis]]'' and ''[[Who Trumps (video game)|Who Trumps]]''. | Meanwhile, the BBC released two new video games on their website, ''[[TARDIS Tennis (video game)|TARDIS Tennis]]'' and ''[[Who Trumps (video game)|Who Trumps]]''. | ||
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In the following months, details of the new series emerged. Fans still questioned if the new series would be a continuation of the original series (a twenty-seventh season), or a re-imagining (as had recently occurred to great effect with ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]''). Would the [[Doctor Who (TV story)|Paul McGann movie]] or ''Scream of the Shalka'' count? There was initial controversy when pop singer [[Billie Piper]] was cast as the [[Rose Tyler|new companion]]. The [[Doctor Who logo#Logo nine|new series logo]] riled some fans; BBC News reported that some on the production team had received death threats over it. | In the following months, details of the new series emerged. Fans still questioned if the new series would be a continuation of the original series (a twenty-seventh season), or a re-imagining (as had recently occurred to great effect with ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]''). Would the [[Doctor Who (TV story)|Paul McGann movie]] or ''Scream of the Shalka'' count? There was initial controversy when pop singer [[Billie Piper]] was cast as the [[Rose Tyler|new companion]]. The [[Doctor Who logo#Logo nine|new series logo]] riled some fans; BBC News reported that some on the production team had received death threats over it. | ||
The BBC's decision to restart the numbering of the series with [[Series 1 (Doctor Who)|series 1]] in 2005 fuelled the debate over whether the new show would be a continuation. The BBC indicated it was strictly a commercial decision, and part of an overall strategy not to alienate new viewers by suggesting they needed to know twenty-six years of backstory. | The BBC's decision to restart the numbering of the series with [[Series 1 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 1]] in 2005 fuelled the debate over whether the new show would be a continuation. The BBC indicated it was strictly a commercial decision, and part of an overall strategy not to alienate new viewers by suggesting they needed to know twenty-six years of backstory. | ||
''Doctor Who'' returned to television in the spring of [[2005 (releases)|2005]]. [[Christopher Eccleston]] took over from [[Paul McGann|McGann]] as the [[Ninth Doctor]]. After initial uncertainty, it was soon established the new series was a continuation of the old. The new episodes returned ''Doctor Who'' to levels of popularity not seen since the 1970s, and garnered awards the original series never saw. Eccleston's brief era marked the return of [[UNIT]], the [[Auton]]s, the [[Nestene Consciousness]], the [[Dalek]]s and the [[Dalek Emperor]] to television, as well as the introduction of [[Jack Harkness]], who would become a recurring character during the Russell T. Davies era. In [[March (releases)|March]] [[2006 (releases)|2006]], the new series was first broadcast in the [[United States]] on the [[Syfy|SciFi Channel]]. Audiences embraced the new series, with Billie Piper's [[Rose Tyler]], in particular. The second episode ''[[The End of the World (TV story)|The End of the World]]'' began a new tradition of featuring a scene before the intro sequence, a "[[cold opening]]". | ''Doctor Who'' returned to television in the spring of [[2005 (releases)|2005]]. [[Christopher Eccleston]] took over from [[Paul McGann|McGann]] as the [[Ninth Doctor]]. After initial uncertainty, it was soon established the new series was a continuation of the old. The new episodes returned ''Doctor Who'' to levels of popularity not seen since the 1970s, and garnered awards the original series never saw. Eccleston's brief era marked the return of [[UNIT]], the [[Auton]]s, the [[Nestene Consciousness]], the [[Dalek]]s and the [[Dalek Emperor]] to television, as well as the introduction of [[Jack Harkness]], who would become a recurring character during the Russell T. Davies era. In [[March (releases)|March]] [[2006 (releases)|2006]], the new series was first broadcast in the [[United States]] on the [[Syfy|SciFi Channel]]. Audiences embraced the new series, with Billie Piper's [[Rose Tyler]], in particular. The second episode ''[[The End of the World (TV story)|The End of the World]]'' began a new tradition of featuring a scene before the intro sequence, a "[[cold opening]]". | ||
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In 2005, four online video games were released by the BBC, most notably ''[[Attack of the Graske (video game)|Attack of the Graske]]''. | In 2005, four online video games were released by the BBC, most notably ''[[Attack of the Graske (video game)|Attack of the Graske]]''. | ||
Tennant's era also saw the reintroduction of the [[Cyberman|Cybermen]], albeit a parallel version. Related to this, the series began delving into the multiverse concept with ''[[Rise of the Cybermen (TV story)|Rise of the Cybermen]]'', a topic that would dominate the final episodes of the [[Series 4 (Doctor Who)|fourth series]] in [[2008 (releases)|2008]]. | Tennant's era also saw the reintroduction of the [[Cyberman|Cybermen]], albeit a parallel version. Related to this, the series began delving into the multiverse concept with ''[[Rise of the Cybermen (TV story)|Rise of the Cybermen]]'', a topic that would dominate the final episodes of the [[Series 4 (Doctor Who 2005)|fourth series]] in [[2008 (releases)|2008]]. | ||
Since the show's return to TV, ''Doctor Who'' has become a major franchise. It spawned two successful spin-off series in quick succession: ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]'' and ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''; both centred around the adventures of former companions. There was a third, non-BBC spin-off, ''[[K9 (TV series)|K9]]''. Two documentary series were launched with the return of ''Doctor Who'': ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'', ([[2005 (releases)|2005]]-[[2011 (releases)|2011]]) and ''[[Totally Doctor Who]]'' ([[2006 (releases)|2006]]-[[2007 (releases)|2007]]). The last series also produced the first animated-for-television ''Doctor Who'' serial, ''[[The Infinite Quest (TV story)|The Infinite Quest]]'', which aired in 2007 and featured Tennant. A second animated serial, ''[[Dreamland (TV story)|Dreamland]]'', aired in [[2009 (releases)|2009]]. | Since the show's return to TV, ''Doctor Who'' has become a major franchise. It spawned two successful spin-off series in quick succession: ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]'' and ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]''; both centred around the adventures of former companions. There was a third, non-BBC spin-off, ''[[K9 (TV series)|K9]]''. Two documentary series were launched with the return of ''Doctor Who'': ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'', ([[2005 (releases)|2005]]-[[2011 (releases)|2011]]) and ''[[Totally Doctor Who]]'' ([[2006 (releases)|2006]]-[[2007 (releases)|2007]]). The last series also produced the first animated-for-television ''Doctor Who'' serial, ''[[The Infinite Quest (TV story)|The Infinite Quest]]'', which aired in 2007 and featured Tennant. A second animated serial, ''[[Dreamland (TV story)|Dreamland]]'', aired in [[2009 (releases)|2009]]. | ||
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The Tennant era also saw the start of a new tradition in late 2005: the ''Doctor Who'' [[Christmas Special]], holiday-themed episodes aired separately from the regular seasons. {{As of|2017|12}}, thirteen such specials have been aired. The series has also contributed several mini-episodes, such as the aforementioned ''Time Crash'', to the [[Children in Need]] Appeal and the [[Doctor Who at the Proms|BBC Prom]] concert series (''[[Music of the Spheres (TV story)|Music of the Spheres]]''). | The Tennant era also saw the start of a new tradition in late 2005: the ''Doctor Who'' [[Christmas Special]], holiday-themed episodes aired separately from the regular seasons. {{As of|2017|12}}, thirteen such specials have been aired. The series has also contributed several mini-episodes, such as the aforementioned ''Time Crash'', to the [[Children in Need]] Appeal and the [[Doctor Who at the Proms|BBC Prom]] concert series (''[[Music of the Spheres (TV story)|Music of the Spheres]]''). | ||
The 3-part conclusion of the [[Series 3 (Doctor Who)|third revived season]] in [[2007 (releases)|2007]] saw the inclusion of [[the Master]] in not one, but two different incarnations, not seen since the TV movie in 1996. | The 3-part conclusion of the [[Series 3 (Doctor Who 2005)|third revived season]] in [[2007 (releases)|2007]] saw the inclusion of [[the Master]] in not one, but two different incarnations, not seen since the TV movie in 1996. | ||
Ten new online video games were released by the BBC in 2007, with one of them, ''[[Bane Blaster (video game)|Bane Blaster]]'', based on the first ''SJA''-story. | Ten new online video games were released by the BBC in 2007, with one of them, ''[[Bane Blaster (video game)|Bane Blaster]]'', based on the first ''SJA''-story. | ||
The [[Series 4 (Doctor Who)|fourth revived season]] in [[2008 (releases)|2008]] saw the return of the [[Sontaran]]s in episodes 4 and 5, ''[[The Sontaran Stratagem (TV story)|The Sontaran Stratagem]]''/''[[The Poison Sky (TV story)|The Poison Sky]]'', for the first time since ''The Two Doctors'' in 1985. The season-conclusion, which linked all four series together and featured the return of [[Rose Tyler|Rose]] and other companions, saw ''Doctor Who'' garner its highest ratings in nearly thirty years. It further saw the first return of [[Dalek]] creator [[Davros]] since ''Remembrance of the Daleks''. It was followed by the 2008 Christmas special, ''[[The Next Doctor (TV story)|The Next Doctor]]'', which included a scene — the first of its kind — in which all ten Doctors, including the debated Paul McGann's Eighth Doctor, were shown, firmly establishing the Eighth Doctor's place in his personal history. | The [[Series 4 (Doctor Who 2005)|fourth revived season]] in [[2008 (releases)|2008]] saw the return of the [[Sontaran]]s in episodes 4 and 5, ''[[The Sontaran Stratagem (TV story)|The Sontaran Stratagem]]''/''[[The Poison Sky (TV story)|The Poison Sky]]'', for the first time since ''The Two Doctors'' in 1985. The season-conclusion, which linked all four series together and featured the return of [[Rose Tyler|Rose]] and other companions, saw ''Doctor Who'' garner its highest ratings in nearly thirty years. It further saw the first return of [[Dalek]] creator [[Davros]] since ''Remembrance of the Daleks''. It was followed by the 2008 Christmas special, ''[[The Next Doctor (TV story)|The Next Doctor]]'', which included a scene — the first of its kind — in which all ten Doctors, including the debated Paul McGann's Eighth Doctor, were shown, firmly establishing the Eighth Doctor's place in his personal history. | ||
This year saw the release of 11 new online games as well as one, ''[[Top Trumps: Doctor Who (video game)|Top Trumps: Doctor Who]]'', for PC, PS2 and Wii and DS. | This year saw the release of 11 new online games as well as one, ''[[Top Trumps: Doctor Who (video game)|Top Trumps: Doctor Who]]'', for PC, PS2 and Wii and DS. | ||
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=== The new man === | === The new man === | ||
Production of the [[Series 5 (Doctor Who)|first Matt Smith episodes]] commenced in [[July (production)|July]] [[2009 (production)|2009]]. Writers recruited for the new season included [[Richard Curtis]] (co-creator of {{wi|Blackadder}} and writer of {{wi|Four Weddings and a Funeral}}) and [[Toby Whithouse]] (creator of {{wi|Being Human (British TV series)|Being Human}}). Noted fantasy writer [[Neil Gaiman]] was rumoured to be involved in the new season. These rumours proved to be incorrect, but he did end up penning ''[[The Doctor's Wife (TV story)|The Doctor's Wife]]'' [[Series 6 (Doctor Who)|the following series]]. [[Michael Moorcock]], another noted fantasy novelist, also announced he was writing [[The Coming of the Terraphiles (novel)|a ''Doctor Who'' novel]] for publication in 2010. | Production of the [[Series 5 (Doctor Who 2005)|first Matt Smith episodes]] commenced in [[July (production)|July]] [[2009 (production)|2009]]. Writers recruited for the new season included [[Richard Curtis]] (co-creator of {{wi|Blackadder}} and writer of {{wi|Four Weddings and a Funeral}}) and [[Toby Whithouse]] (creator of {{wi|Being Human (British TV series)|Being Human}}). Noted fantasy writer [[Neil Gaiman]] was rumoured to be involved in the new season. These rumours proved to be incorrect, but he did end up penning ''[[The Doctor's Wife (TV story)|The Doctor's Wife]]'' [[Series 6 (Doctor Who 2005)|the following series]]. [[Michael Moorcock]], another noted fantasy novelist, also announced he was writing [[The Coming of the Terraphiles (novel)|a ''Doctor Who'' novel]] for publication in 2010. | ||
Minor competition for Smith arrived in January 2010 when broadcasts of the non-BBC series ''[[K9 (TV series)|K9]]'' began in parts of Europe. The UK, which had seen a preview of the first episode on Halloween 2009, saw the series debut on [[Disney XD]] on [[3 April (releases)|3 April]] [[2010 (releases)|2010]], a few hours before the start of the fifth series. | Minor competition for Smith arrived in January 2010 when broadcasts of the non-BBC series ''[[K9 (TV series)|K9]]'' began in parts of Europe. The UK, which had seen a preview of the first episode on Halloween 2009, saw the series debut on [[Disney XD]] on [[3 April (releases)|3 April]] [[2010 (releases)|2010]], a few hours before the start of the fifth series. | ||
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Torchwood aired its fourth and final series, ''[[Miracle Day]]'' in 2011. It was a collaboration between BBC & BBCAmerica, exploring the aftermath of a day when nobody dies. It saw the return of [[Captain Jack Harkness (disambiguation)|Captain Jack Harkness]] and [[Gwen Cooper]] as well as the introductions of [[Esther Drummond]] and [[Rex Matheson]]. Episode One aired on 14 July and the series wrapped on 9 September 2011. | Torchwood aired its fourth and final series, ''[[Miracle Day]]'' in 2011. It was a collaboration between BBC & BBCAmerica, exploring the aftermath of a day when nobody dies. It saw the return of [[Captain Jack Harkness (disambiguation)|Captain Jack Harkness]] and [[Gwen Cooper]] as well as the introductions of [[Esther Drummond]] and [[Rex Matheson]]. Episode One aired on 14 July and the series wrapped on 9 September 2011. | ||
[[Series 6 (Doctor Who)|Series 6]] aired in two parts; the first half aired in the spring and the remaining episodes aired in the autumn. The BBC claimed the split was to accommodate a story arc with a mid-season cliffhanger, the arc being the revelation of the identity of [[River Song]]. Steven Moffat was said to have requested the split. Episode 4, ''[[The Doctor's Wife (TV story)|The Doctor's Wife]]'', also featured the first mention of a [[Time Lord]], [[the Corsair]], being able to change gender between [[regeneration]]s. | [[Series 6 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 6]] aired in two parts; the first half aired in the spring and the remaining episodes aired in the autumn. The BBC claimed the split was to accommodate a story arc with a mid-season cliffhanger, the arc being the revelation of the identity of [[River Song]]. Steven Moffat was said to have requested the split. Episode 4, ''[[The Doctor's Wife (TV story)|The Doctor's Wife]]'', also featured the first mention of a [[Time Lord]], [[the Corsair]], being able to change gender between [[regeneration]]s. | ||
[[Series 7 (Doctor Who)|Series 7]] aired in two parts as well, although this time the first half aired in the autumn and the second half aired in the spring, with [[The Snowmen (TV story)|a Christmas special]] in between. Broadcasts began in [[September (releases)|September]] [[2012 (releases)|2012]], with ''[[Asylum of the Daleks (TV story)|Asylum of the Daleks]]''. | [[Series 7 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 7]] aired in two parts as well, although this time the first half aired in the autumn and the second half aired in the spring, with [[The Snowmen (TV story)|a Christmas special]] in between. Broadcasts began in [[September (releases)|September]] [[2012 (releases)|2012]], with ''[[Asylum of the Daleks (TV story)|Asylum of the Daleks]]''. | ||
This Special reintroduced the concept of the current Doctor's face showing up in the intro sequence, last seen in [[1989 (releases)|1989]]'s ''[[Survival (TV story)|Survival]]''. It also brought back the [[Great Intelligence]] for the first time since [[1968]]'s ''[[The Web of Fear (TV story)|The Web of Fear]]''. | This Special reintroduced the concept of the current Doctor's face showing up in the intro sequence, last seen in [[1989 (releases)|1989]]'s ''[[Survival (TV story)|Survival]]''. It also brought back the [[Great Intelligence]] for the first time since [[1968]]'s ''[[The Web of Fear (TV story)|The Web of Fear]]''. | ||
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=== 50 years and beyond === | === 50 years and beyond === | ||
Following the [[Series 7 (Doctor Who)|series 7]] finale, ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'', ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'' aired on TV and in cinemas on [[23 November (releases)|23 November]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]] to celebrate the programme's 50th anniversary. This heavily featured a [[War Doctor|new Doctor]], played by [[John Hurt]], who was revealed to be the true ninth incarnation of the Doctor in a mini-episode titled ''[[The Night of the Doctor (TV story)|The Night of the Doctor]]'', which had [[Paul McGann]] return as the [[Eighth Doctor]] and regenerating him. The 50th also featured [[Tom Baker]] himself returning, however as a character known to the Doctor, called [[the Curator]], as well as a cameo of the immediate successor of Smith. It featured the original 1963 intro sequence and a brief one-off departure of showing the Doctor's face and [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] in the sequence, not counting the mini-episode in the case of the former. | Following the [[Series 7 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 7]] finale, ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'', ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'' aired on TV and in cinemas on [[23 November (releases)|23 November]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]] to celebrate the programme's 50th anniversary. This heavily featured a [[War Doctor|new Doctor]], played by [[John Hurt]], who was revealed to be the true ninth incarnation of the Doctor in a mini-episode titled ''[[The Night of the Doctor (TV story)|The Night of the Doctor]]'', which had [[Paul McGann]] return as the [[Eighth Doctor]] and regenerating him. The 50th also featured [[Tom Baker]] himself returning, however as a character known to the Doctor, called [[the Curator]], as well as a cameo of the immediate successor of Smith. It featured the original 1963 intro sequence and a brief one-off departure of showing the Doctor's face and [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] in the sequence, not counting the mini-episode in the case of the former. | ||
[[Big Finish Productions]] also celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the show with the audio story ''[[The Light at the End (audio story)|The Light at the End]]'' on the [[23 October (releases)|23 October]], featuring the first eight incarnations of the Doctor as well as a couple of their [[companion]]s with [[the Master]] as the villain. | [[Big Finish Productions]] also celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the show with the audio story ''[[The Light at the End (audio story)|The Light at the End]]'' on the [[23 October (releases)|23 October]], featuring the first eight incarnations of the Doctor as well as a couple of their [[companion]]s with [[the Master]] as the villain. | ||
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The [[Christmas special]] ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'' was broadcast a month later on [[25 December (releases)|25 December]]. ''Time ''revealed that the Eleventh Doctor was the final incarnation before he was granted a new cycle of regenerations. It also featured the [[Eleventh Doctor]]'s [[regeneration]] into [[Peter Capaldi]]'s [[Twelfth Doctor|Twelfth]]; Capaldi was announced as the Twelfth Doctor in [[Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor|a live special]] months earlier on [[4 August (production)|4 August]]. | The [[Christmas special]] ''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'' was broadcast a month later on [[25 December (releases)|25 December]]. ''Time ''revealed that the Eleventh Doctor was the final incarnation before he was granted a new cycle of regenerations. It also featured the [[Eleventh Doctor]]'s [[regeneration]] into [[Peter Capaldi]]'s [[Twelfth Doctor|Twelfth]]; Capaldi was announced as the Twelfth Doctor in [[Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor|a live special]] months earlier on [[4 August (production)|4 August]]. | ||
With the successful release of the 50th anniversary special, the [[Series 8 (Doctor Who)|Series 8]] premiere, ''[[Deep Breath (TV story)|Deep Breath]]'', was extended and broadcast simultaneously on TV and theatres on [[23 August (releases)|23 August]] [[2014 (releases)|2014]]. Notably, Peter Capaldi's debut as the lead featured a surprise cameo from his predecessor Matt Smith, the first such occurrence of an immediate reprisal in ''Doctor Who''. Broadcasting its run, now reduced from 13 to 12 episodes, without a split, Series 8 concluded with ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'' on [[8 November (releases)|8 November]], just less than two months before the [[Last Christmas (TV story)|2014 Christmas special]]. ''Death in Heaven'' featured a one-off change in the intro sequence, showing [[companion]] [[Clara Oswald]]'s face instead of the Doctor's as a response to the preceding "[[cold opening]]". The series featured a mysterious woman known as [[Missy]] throughout most episodes, who by the conclusion was revealed as a female incarnation of the Master. | With the successful release of the 50th anniversary special, the [[Series 8 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 8]] premiere, ''[[Deep Breath (TV story)|Deep Breath]]'', was extended and broadcast simultaneously on TV and theatres on [[23 August (releases)|23 August]] [[2014 (releases)|2014]]. Notably, Peter Capaldi's debut as the lead featured a surprise cameo from his predecessor Matt Smith, the first such occurrence of an immediate reprisal in ''Doctor Who''. Broadcasting its run, now reduced from 13 to 12 episodes, without a split, Series 8 concluded with ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'' on [[8 November (releases)|8 November]], just less than two months before the [[Last Christmas (TV story)|2014 Christmas special]]. ''Death in Heaven'' featured a one-off change in the intro sequence, showing [[companion]] [[Clara Oswald]]'s face instead of the Doctor's as a response to the preceding "[[cold opening]]". The series featured a mysterious woman known as [[Missy]] throughout most episodes, who by the conclusion was revealed as a female incarnation of the Master. | ||
Starting just short of a month later in [[2015 (releases)|2015]], [[Series 9 (Doctor Who)|Series 9]] began with ''[[The Magician's Apprentice (TV story)|The Magician's Apprentice]]'' on [[19 September (releases)|19 September]] and concluded with ''[[Hell Bent (TV story)|Hell Bent]]'' on [[5 December (releases)|5 December]], only twenty days before ''[[The Husbands of River Song (TV story)|The Husbands of River Song]]'' on Christmas Day. The intro for ''[[Before the Flood (TV story)|Before the Flood]]'' featured rock-guitar play over the [[Doctor Who theme|theme]] while specially filmed "found footage" story ''[[Sleep No More (TV story)|Sleep No More]]'' featured a one-off intro sequence matching the "feel" of the story, getting rid of both [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] and the Doctor's face. | Starting just short of a month later in [[2015 (releases)|2015]], [[Series 9 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 9]] began with ''[[The Magician's Apprentice (TV story)|The Magician's Apprentice]]'' on [[19 September (releases)|19 September]] and concluded with ''[[Hell Bent (TV story)|Hell Bent]]'' on [[5 December (releases)|5 December]], only twenty days before ''[[The Husbands of River Song (TV story)|The Husbands of River Song]]'' on Christmas Day. The intro for ''[[Before the Flood (TV story)|Before the Flood]]'' featured rock-guitar play over the [[Doctor Who theme|theme]] while specially filmed "found footage" story ''[[Sleep No More (TV story)|Sleep No More]]'' featured a one-off intro sequence matching the "feel" of the story, getting rid of both [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] and the Doctor's face. | ||
[[2016 (releases)|2016]] would see another break for ''Doctor Who'' on TV while the [[Series 10 (Doctor Who)|next series]] was filmed to broadcast in the [[2017 (releases)|following year]], with a [[Friend from the Future (TV story)|unique teaser]] introducing the [[Bill Potts|new companion]] releasing on [[23 April (releases)|23 April]]. [[22 October (releases)|22 October]] marked the [[For Tonight We Might Die (TV story)|premiere]], fittingly on the 10th anniversary as [[Everything Changes (TV story)|that]] of ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]'', of a new but ultimately ill-fated spin-off [[Series 1 (Class)|series]]: ''[[Class (TV series)|Class]]''. Airing exclusively on [[BBC Three]], which had since been relegated to an online service, Class was based at [[Coal Hill School]], the very first setting of ''Doctor Who'', and hosted a guest appearance by the Doctor himself in the first episode. Ultimately, the sole new episode of ''Doctor Who'' itself to air in 2016 would be the annual Christmas special: ''[[The Return of Doctor Mysterio (TV story)|The Return of Doctor Mysterio]]'', the first in five years to preview the upcoming series as ''Doctor Who'' would return to the spring season. | [[2016 (releases)|2016]] would see another break for ''Doctor Who'' on TV while the [[Series 10 (Doctor Who 2005)|next series]] was filmed to broadcast in the [[2017 (releases)|following year]], with a [[Friend from the Future (TV story)|unique teaser]] introducing the [[Bill Potts|new companion]] releasing on [[23 April (releases)|23 April]]. [[22 October (releases)|22 October]] marked the [[For Tonight We Might Die (TV story)|premiere]], fittingly on the 10th anniversary as [[Everything Changes (TV story)|that]] of ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]'', of a new but ultimately ill-fated spin-off [[Series 1 (Class)|series]]: ''[[Class (TV series)|Class]]''. Airing exclusively on [[BBC Three]], which had since been relegated to an online service, Class was based at [[Coal Hill School]], the very first setting of ''Doctor Who'', and hosted a guest appearance by the Doctor himself in the first episode. Ultimately, the sole new episode of ''Doctor Who'' itself to air in 2016 would be the annual Christmas special: ''[[The Return of Doctor Mysterio (TV story)|The Return of Doctor Mysterio]]'', the first in five years to preview the upcoming series as ''Doctor Who'' would return to the spring season. | ||
Series 10 premiered with ''[[The Pilot (TV story)|The Pilot]]'' on [[19 April (releases)|19 April]]. The series concluded with ''[[The Doctor Falls (TV story)|The Doctor Falls]]'' on [[1 July (releases)|1 July]], which saw the Doctor mortally wounded. The Doctor himself would postpone his regeneration, however, and the finale concluded with the surprise return of the [[First Doctor]] now portrayed by [[David Bradley]], who had previously played [[William Hartnell]] in the 50th anniversary docudrama ''[[An Adventure in Space and Time (TV story)|An Adventure in Space and Time]]'', who would go on to expand the First Doctor's timeline beyond his original final story with the Christmas special ''[[Twice Upon a Time (TV story)|Twice Upon a Time]]'', incorporating footage from ''[[The Tenth Planet (TV story)|The Tenth Planet]]'' by morphing Hartnell into Bradley and vice versa (thereby also showing his regeneration again). Soon after ''The Doctor Falls'', [[Jodie Whittaker]] was [[Meet the Thirteenth Doctor|announced]] to be playing the [[Thirteenth Doctor]], the first female incarnation of the Doctor, who made her debut at the conclusion of said Christmas special. The finale of the series, beginning in ''[[World Enough and Time (TV story)|World Enough and Time]]'', saw the return of [[John Simm]] as {{Simm|n=the Saxon Master}} alongside Gomez's Missy, marking the first televised [[List of multi-Master stories|Multi-Master story]] in the show's history. | Series 10 premiered with ''[[The Pilot (TV story)|The Pilot]]'' on [[19 April (releases)|19 April]]. The series concluded with ''[[The Doctor Falls (TV story)|The Doctor Falls]]'' on [[1 July (releases)|1 July]], which saw the Doctor mortally wounded. The Doctor himself would postpone his regeneration, however, and the finale concluded with the surprise return of the [[First Doctor]] now portrayed by [[David Bradley]], who had previously played [[William Hartnell]] in the 50th anniversary docudrama ''[[An Adventure in Space and Time (TV story)|An Adventure in Space and Time]]'', who would go on to expand the First Doctor's timeline beyond his original final story with the Christmas special ''[[Twice Upon a Time (TV story)|Twice Upon a Time]]'', incorporating footage from ''[[The Tenth Planet (TV story)|The Tenth Planet]]'' by morphing Hartnell into Bradley and vice versa (thereby also showing his regeneration again). Soon after ''The Doctor Falls'', [[Jodie Whittaker]] was [[Meet the Thirteenth Doctor|announced]] to be playing the [[Thirteenth Doctor]], the first female incarnation of the Doctor, who made her debut at the conclusion of said Christmas special. The finale of the series, beginning in ''[[World Enough and Time (TV story)|World Enough and Time]]'', saw the return of [[John Simm]] as {{Simm|n=the Saxon Master}} alongside Gomez's Missy, marking the first televised [[List of multi-Master stories|Multi-Master story]] in the show's history. | ||
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=== A huge milestone === | === A huge milestone === | ||
With new incoming showrunner [[Chris Chibnall]] taking over, a huge milestone was reached when the first ever woman, [[Jodie Whittaker]] was cast as the Doctor and given a plethora of diversified episodes. [[Series 11 (Doctor Who)|Series 11]] was moved to [[Sunday]]s and was reduced to 10 episodes beginning with ''[[The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)|The Woman Who Fell to Earth]]'' on [[7 October (releases)|7 October]] [[2018 (releases)|2018]] and concluding with ''[[The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos (TV story)|The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos]]'' on [[9 December (releases)|9 December]], compensating with an extended running time. The new change was met with a large amount of positivity, with majority praising the new Doctor and stories, many celebrities saying it was about time. Some people, however, were not very impressed with the changes made, calling them "too politically correct" and "Social Justice Warrior"-driven. Despite this negativity, the new era ended up very successful. The new series also got rid of the annual [[Christmas Special]], which had been a constant since the return in [[2005 (releases)|2005]], replacing it with a [[New Year Special]] on [[Tuesday]] the [[1 January (releases)|1 January]] [[2019 (releases)|2019]], followed by a gap year. | With new incoming showrunner [[Chris Chibnall]] taking over, a huge milestone was reached when the first ever woman, [[Jodie Whittaker]] was cast as the Doctor and given a plethora of diversified episodes. [[Series 11 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 11]] was moved to [[Sunday]]s and was reduced to 10 episodes beginning with ''[[The Woman Who Fell to Earth (TV story)|The Woman Who Fell to Earth]]'' on [[7 October (releases)|7 October]] [[2018 (releases)|2018]] and concluding with ''[[The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos (TV story)|The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos]]'' on [[9 December (releases)|9 December]], compensating with an extended running time. The new change was met with a large amount of positivity, with majority praising the new Doctor and stories, many celebrities saying it was about time. Some people, however, were not very impressed with the changes made, calling them "too politically correct" and "Social Justice Warrior"-driven. Despite this negativity, the new era ended up very successful. The new series also got rid of the annual [[Christmas Special]], which had been a constant since the return in [[2005 (releases)|2005]], replacing it with a [[New Year Special]] on [[Tuesday]] the [[1 January (releases)|1 January]] [[2019 (releases)|2019]], followed by a gap year. | ||
This series also once again got rid of the idea of having the current Doctor's face as well as [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] show up in the intro. It also removed the "[[cold opening]]s" which had been permanent instalments since [[2005 (releases)|2005]]'s ''[[The End of the World (TV story)|The End of the World]]''. The opening story and the Special also didn't have a [[title sequence]]. | This series also once again got rid of the idea of having the current Doctor's face as well as [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] show up in the intro. It also removed the "[[cold opening]]s" which had been permanent instalments since [[2005 (releases)|2005]]'s ''[[The End of the World (TV story)|The End of the World]]''. The opening story and the Special also didn't have a [[title sequence]]. | ||
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[[17 October (releases)|17 October]] 2019 marked the 40th anniversary of the long-running ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' with its [[DWM 544|544th issue]] being released exactly 40 years after [[DWM 1|the first issue]]. To celebrate, the issue also offered a 32-page ''[[Doctor Who Magazine: The Index]]'' along with it at no additional cost. | [[17 October (releases)|17 October]] 2019 marked the 40th anniversary of the long-running ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' with its [[DWM 544|544th issue]] being released exactly 40 years after [[DWM 1|the first issue]]. To celebrate, the issue also offered a 32-page ''[[Doctor Who Magazine: The Index]]'' along with it at no additional cost. | ||
A [[Doctor Who theme night|''Doctor Who'' theme night]] at the [[Natural History Museum]] in [[Kensington]] as part of their after-hours series ''[[Lates]]'' was held on [[25 October (releases)|25 October]] 2019. A special screening of the [[Series 3 (Doctor Who)|Series 3]] opening episode, ''[[Smith and Jones (TV story)|Smith and Jones]]'', was shown during the event.<ref>https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/lates.html</ref> | A [[Doctor Who theme night|''Doctor Who'' theme night]] at the [[Natural History Museum]] in [[Kensington]] as part of their after-hours series ''[[Lates]]'' was held on [[25 October (releases)|25 October]] 2019. A special screening of the [[Series 3 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 3]] opening episode, ''[[Smith and Jones (TV story)|Smith and Jones]]'', was shown during the event.<ref>https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/lates.html</ref> | ||
On the [[12 November (releases)|12 November]] 2019, a second VR game was released called ''[[The Edge of Time (video game)|The Edge of Time]]'', in which the Player got much more freedom to explore [[time]] and [[space]] as well as piloting [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]]. Essentially, the Player gets sent on an adventure of their own. | On the [[12 November (releases)|12 November]] 2019, a second VR game was released called ''[[The Edge of Time (video game)|The Edge of Time]]'', in which the Player got much more freedom to explore [[time]] and [[space]] as well as piloting [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]]. Essentially, the Player gets sent on an adventure of their own. | ||
[[Series 12 (Doctor Who)|Series 12]] premiered on [[New Year's Day]], [[Wednesday]] [[1 January (releases)|1 January]] [[2020 (releases)|2020]] with ''[[Spyfall (TV story)|Spyfall: Part One]]'', which also marked the first time since ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'' that a two-part story had a single title. ''Part One'' also aired on the 10th Anniversary of ''The End of Time: Part Two''. ''Spyfall: Part Two'' was broadcast only four days later on [[5 January (releases)|5 January]] on a [[Sunday]] which continued to be the format established the previous series. | [[Series 12 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 12]] premiered on [[New Year's Day]], [[Wednesday]] [[1 January (releases)|1 January]] [[2020 (releases)|2020]] with ''[[Spyfall (TV story)|Spyfall: Part One]]'', which also marked the first time since ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'' that a two-part story had a single title. ''Part One'' also aired on the 10th Anniversary of ''The End of Time: Part Two''. ''Spyfall: Part Two'' was broadcast only four days later on [[5 January (releases)|5 January]] on a [[Sunday]] which continued to be the format established the previous series. | ||
Episode 5 of series 12, ''[[Fugitive of the Judoon (TV story)|Fugitive of the Judoon]]''; broadcast on [[26 January (releases)|26 January]], hit another milestone as the first episode to have a black woman, [[Jo Martin]], cast as [[Fugitive Doctor|the Doctor]], albeit adding confusion to the show's history, with this version claiming to be a past version while the [[Thirteenth Doctor]] has no recollection of her. This episode also brought back [[Captain]] [[Jack Harkness]] over a decade after his last appearance on the show, ''The End of Time: Part Two'' and 9 years after his last televised appearance, in ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]: [[Series 4 (Torchwood)|Miracle Day]]''{{'}}s last episode ''[[The Blood Line (TV story)|The Blood Line]]''. | Episode 5 of series 12, ''[[Fugitive of the Judoon (TV story)|Fugitive of the Judoon]]''; broadcast on [[26 January (releases)|26 January]], hit another milestone as the first episode to have a black woman, [[Jo Martin]], cast as [[Fugitive Doctor|the Doctor]], albeit adding confusion to the show's history, with this version claiming to be a past version while the [[Thirteenth Doctor]] has no recollection of her. This episode also brought back [[Captain]] [[Jack Harkness]] over a decade after his last appearance on the show, ''The End of Time: Part Two'' and 9 years after his last televised appearance, in ''[[Torchwood (TV series)|Torchwood]]: [[Series 4 (Torchwood)|Miracle Day]]''{{'}}s last episode ''[[The Blood Line (TV story)|The Blood Line]]''. | ||
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On [[14 October (releases)|14 October]], a follow-up to ''The Edge of Time'' was released, called ''[[The Edge of Reality (video game)|The Edge of Reality]]'', which functioned much in the same way that the preceding game did, but offered a much more expanded gameplay and saw the return of [[David Tennant]] voicing the [[Tenth Doctor]], alongside [[Jodie Whittaker]]'s [[Thirteenth Doctor]]. | On [[14 October (releases)|14 October]], a follow-up to ''The Edge of Time'' was released, called ''[[The Edge of Reality (video game)|The Edge of Reality]]'', which functioned much in the same way that the preceding game did, but offered a much more expanded gameplay and saw the return of [[David Tennant]] voicing the [[Tenth Doctor]], alongside [[Jodie Whittaker]]'s [[Thirteenth Doctor]]. | ||
[[Series 13 (Doctor Who)|Series 13]], subtitled ''Doctor Who: Flux'', was reduced to 6 episodes as a result of [[COVID-19]]<ref name="Reduced">https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-chris-chibnall-cuts-news/</ref> and was released on [[31 October (releases)|31 October]] with its first episode ''[[The Halloween Apocalypse (TV story)|The Halloween Apocalypse]]''. On [[5 December (releases)|5 December]] the sixth and final episode of this series, ''[[The Vanquishers (TV story)|The Vanquishers]]'' aired, forming a serial for the first time since [[Season 26]] in [[1989 (releases)|1989]] and the first time the entire season is a single story since ''[[Season 23|The Trial of a Time Lord (season 23)]]'' in [[1986 (releases)|1986]]. It saw the continuation of the [[Timeless Child]] storyline, uncovered in [[2020 (releases)|the previous year]]'s ''[[The Timeless Children (TV story)|The Timeless Children]]'', revealing the [[Fugitive Doctor]]'s involvement with [[the Division]] in their quest to stop the [[Dark Times]] at the hands of [[Ravager (The Halloween Apocalypse)|Ravagers]] [[Swarm]] and [[Azure (The Halloween Apocalypse)|Azure]] along with her then-[[companion]] [[Karvanista]] and other operatives, hiding time-creatures, [[Mouri|the Mouri]] inside living prisons designated [[Passenger form]]s. It introduced [[Dan Lewis]] as a new companion, after being unwillingly swept away from his love [[Diane (The Halloween Apocalypse)|Diane]], and saw the return of [[Tecteun]] in [[Tecteun (Once, Upon Time)|a new incarnation]] as well as the [[Sontaran]]s, [[Dalek]]s, [[Weeping Angel]]s, [[Cybermen]] and an [[Ood]] and introduced a universe-breaking force known as [[the Flux]], meanwhile a girl named [[Claire Brown]] dealt with [[Extraction Squad|a Squad of Weeping Angels]] and an ordinary man, [[Eustacius Jericho|Professor Jericho]] joined in on a trip of a lifetime. It also saw the return of [[Kate Stewart]] and gave [[Joseph Williamson]]'s [[Williamson Tunnels|mysterious tunnels]] a purpose and saw a lover's story between characters [[Bel (Once, Upon Time)|Bel]] and [[Inston-Vee Vinder|Vinder]] while an evil mastermind [[the Grand Serpent]] secretly infiltrated and climbed the ranks of [[UNIT]], ultimately shutting it down in [[2017]]. It also brought an element from the ''[[Virgin New Adventures]]'' novels to the screen in the form of the [[Eternal]] [[Time (mythology)|Time]]. | [[Series 13 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 13]], subtitled ''Doctor Who: Flux'', was reduced to 6 episodes as a result of [[COVID-19]]<ref name="Reduced">https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-chris-chibnall-cuts-news/</ref> and was released on [[31 October (releases)|31 October]] with its first episode ''[[The Halloween Apocalypse (TV story)|The Halloween Apocalypse]]''. On [[5 December (releases)|5 December]] the sixth and final episode of this series, ''[[The Vanquishers (TV story)|The Vanquishers]]'' aired, forming a serial for the first time since [[Season 26 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 26]] in [[1989 (releases)|1989]] and the first time the entire season is a single story since ''[[Season 23 (Doctor Who 1963)|The Trial of a Time Lord (season 23)]]'' in [[1986 (releases)|1986]]. It saw the continuation of the [[Timeless Child]] storyline, uncovered in [[2020 (releases)|the previous year]]'s ''[[The Timeless Children (TV story)|The Timeless Children]]'', revealing the [[Fugitive Doctor]]'s involvement with [[the Division]] in their quest to stop the [[Dark Times]] at the hands of [[Ravager (The Halloween Apocalypse)|Ravagers]] [[Swarm]] and [[Azure (The Halloween Apocalypse)|Azure]] along with her then-[[companion]] [[Karvanista]] and other operatives, hiding time-creatures, [[Mouri|the Mouri]] inside living prisons designated [[Passenger form]]s. It introduced [[Dan Lewis]] as a new companion, after being unwillingly swept away from his love [[Diane (The Halloween Apocalypse)|Diane]], and saw the return of [[Tecteun]] in [[Tecteun (Once, Upon Time)|a new incarnation]] as well as the [[Sontaran]]s, [[Dalek]]s, [[Weeping Angel]]s, [[Cybermen]] and an [[Ood]] and introduced a universe-breaking force known as [[the Flux]], meanwhile a girl named [[Claire Brown]] dealt with [[Extraction Squad|a Squad of Weeping Angels]] and an ordinary man, [[Eustacius Jericho|Professor Jericho]] joined in on a trip of a lifetime. It also saw the return of [[Kate Stewart]] and gave [[Joseph Williamson]]'s [[Williamson Tunnels|mysterious tunnels]] a purpose and saw a lover's story between characters [[Bel (Once, Upon Time)|Bel]] and [[Inston-Vee Vinder|Vinder]] while an evil mastermind [[the Grand Serpent]] secretly infiltrated and climbed the ranks of [[UNIT]], ultimately shutting it down in [[2017]]. It also brought an element from the ''[[Virgin New Adventures]]'' novels to the screen in the form of the [[Eternal]] [[Time (mythology)|Time]]. | ||
=== A Special era === | === A Special era === | ||
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While some fans regard discontinuities as a problem, others regard it as a source of interest or humour — an attitude taken in the book ''[[The Discontinuity Guide]]''. A common fan explanation is that a universe with time travellers is likely to have many historical inconsistencies. | While some fans regard discontinuities as a problem, others regard it as a source of interest or humour — an attitude taken in the book ''[[The Discontinuity Guide]]''. A common fan explanation is that a universe with time travellers is likely to have many historical inconsistencies. | ||
The revived series has tackled this issue head on by suggesting that "time is in flux" and with the exception of certain [[fixed points in time]], almost anything can be changed. Recently, some fan interpretations of the [[series 5 (Doctor Who)|series 5]] finale, ''[[The Big Bang (TV story)|The Big Bang]]'', have suggested a potential reboot of ''Doctor Who'' continuity ''in toto'', but there is also evidence in opposition to this view. | The revived series has tackled this issue head on by suggesting that "time is in flux" and with the exception of certain [[fixed points in time]], almost anything can be changed. Recently, some fan interpretations of the [[series 5 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 5]] finale, ''[[The Big Bang (TV story)|The Big Bang]]'', have suggested a potential reboot of ''Doctor Who'' continuity ''in toto'', but there is also evidence in opposition to this view. | ||
In [[2020]], the [[Series 12 (Doctor Who)|12th revived series]] took another bold move to shake up the mythos of the show, by claiming the Doctor's origins are [[Timeless Child's species|a completely different species]] to what was previously established, that they are from [[Timeless Child's realm|a different universe]] and that they can regenerate an infinite number of times. | In [[2020]], the [[Series 12 (Doctor Who 2005)|12th revived series]] took another bold move to shake up the mythos of the show, by claiming the Doctor's origins are [[Timeless Child's species|a completely different species]] to what was previously established, that they are from [[Timeless Child's realm|a different universe]] and that they can regenerate an infinite number of times. | ||
There has been much fan speculation on exactly which aspects of the television series, books, radio dramatisations, and other sources are considered canon. This has been made more complex by the fact that at least one novel, short story, comic, and audio have all been adapted for the TV series. Additionally, the events of at least one novel have been referenced on screen. For their part, the [[BBC]] have never issued a firm edict as to what counts as "canon". Thus, ''Doctor Who'' stands in stark contrast to the more formalised canons of ''Star Trek'', ''Star Wars'', ''Harry Potter'', ''The Lord of the Rings'' — and, indeed, almost every other fictional universe. | There has been much fan speculation on exactly which aspects of the television series, books, radio dramatisations, and other sources are considered canon. This has been made more complex by the fact that at least one novel, short story, comic, and audio have all been adapted for the TV series. Additionally, the events of at least one novel have been referenced on screen. For their part, the [[BBC]] have never issued a firm edict as to what counts as "canon". Thus, ''Doctor Who'' stands in stark contrast to the more formalised canons of ''Star Trek'', ''Star Wars'', ''Harry Potter'', ''The Lord of the Rings'' — and, indeed, almost every other fictional universe. | ||
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In ''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]'', the Time Lord [[Drax]] addresses the [[Fourth Doctor]] as "Thete", short for "[[Theta Sigma]]", apparently a [[Time Lord Academy|University]] nickname. In the [[1988 (releases)|1988]] serial ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'', the [[Seventh Doctor]] is asked to sign a document, which he does by using a question mark, and produces a calling card with a series of [[Greek]] letters (or [[Gallifreyan (language)|Old High Gallifreyan]] script) and a question mark inscribed on it. The [[Eighth Doctor]] briefly used the alias "Dr Bowman" in the 1996 television movie. He has also been mocked by his fellow Time Lords for adhering to such a "lowly" title as "Doctor". | In ''[[The Armageddon Factor (TV story)|The Armageddon Factor]]'', the Time Lord [[Drax]] addresses the [[Fourth Doctor]] as "Thete", short for "[[Theta Sigma]]", apparently a [[Time Lord Academy|University]] nickname. In the [[1988 (releases)|1988]] serial ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'', the [[Seventh Doctor]] is asked to sign a document, which he does by using a question mark, and produces a calling card with a series of [[Greek]] letters (or [[Gallifreyan (language)|Old High Gallifreyan]] script) and a question mark inscribed on it. The [[Eighth Doctor]] briefly used the alias "Dr Bowman" in the 1996 television movie. He has also been mocked by his fellow Time Lords for adhering to such a "lowly" title as "Doctor". | ||
In many [[Doctor Who spin-offs|spin-off]] comic strips, books, films and other media, the character is often called "Doctor Who" (or just "Dr. Who") as a matter of course, though this has declined in recent years. From the first story through to ''[[Logopolis (TV story)|Logopolis]]'' (the last story of [[Season 18]] and also of the Tom Baker era), the lead character was listed as "Doctor Who". Starting with [[Peter Davison]]'s first story, ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]'' (also the first story of [[Season 19]]), the lead character is credited simply as "The Doctor". | In many [[Doctor Who spin-offs|spin-off]] comic strips, books, films and other media, the character is often called "Doctor Who" (or just "Dr. Who") as a matter of course, though this has declined in recent years. From the first story through to ''[[Logopolis (TV story)|Logopolis]]'' (the last story of [[Season 18 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 18]] and also of the Tom Baker era), the lead character was listed as "Doctor Who". Starting with [[Peter Davison]]'s first story, ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]]'' (also the first story of [[Season 19 (Doctor Who 1963)|Season 19]]), the lead character is credited simply as "The Doctor". | ||
''Doctor Who'' writer [[Terrance Dicks]] offered the theory that Time Lord names were "jawbreakers," long and extremely difficult to pronounce, and this was why the Doctor never revealed his true name. However, [[River Song]], one of the few people ever to know his name, was able to whisper it in his ear in a very short time. Some fans have speculated, taking off from the fact that the full name of the Time Lady [[Romana]] is "Romanadvoratrelundar", that the first syllable of the Doctor's true name is "Who". It should be noted that, although it is often asserted that "Doctor Who" is ''not'' the character's name, there is nothing in the series itself that actually confirms this. On at least one occasion the Doctor is about to give a name after the title "Doctor..." but is interrupted. Interestingly, the BBC novel, ''[[The Infinity Doctors (novel)|The Infinity Doctors]]'' mentions an ancient Gallifreyan god named "[[Ohm|OHM]]". When this name is turned upside down, the result is "WHO." This idea originated in early drafts of ''[[The Three Doctors (TV story)|The Three Doctors]]'' by [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]]. The character of "Ohm" eventually became [[Omega]]. | ''Doctor Who'' writer [[Terrance Dicks]] offered the theory that Time Lord names were "jawbreakers," long and extremely difficult to pronounce, and this was why the Doctor never revealed his true name. However, [[River Song]], one of the few people ever to know his name, was able to whisper it in his ear in a very short time. Some fans have speculated, taking off from the fact that the full name of the Time Lady [[Romana]] is "Romanadvoratrelundar", that the first syllable of the Doctor's true name is "Who". It should be noted that, although it is often asserted that "Doctor Who" is ''not'' the character's name, there is nothing in the series itself that actually confirms this. On at least one occasion the Doctor is about to give a name after the title "Doctor..." but is interrupted. Interestingly, the BBC novel, ''[[The Infinity Doctors (novel)|The Infinity Doctors]]'' mentions an ancient Gallifreyan god named "[[Ohm|OHM]]". When this name is turned upside down, the result is "WHO." This idea originated in early drafts of ''[[The Three Doctors (TV story)|The Three Doctors]]'' by [[Bob Baker]] and [[Dave Martin]]. The character of "Ohm" eventually became [[Omega]]. |