Robert Shearman, former writer of the series Doctor Who, has stated that the series may be in its worst state following the surprising regeneration of Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor. According to Shearman, this moment marks a critical point in the history of the program, which has gone through periods of inactivity, although it has always maintained a clear continuity in the figure of the Doctor. He argues that, unlike in past years, the series now presents a disconnection with the audience, who cannot identify with the new Doctor to the same extent as they did with his predecessors.
The series has never been in a more precarious situation
The regeneration of Gatwa has led to speculation about the possibility that his character is nothing more than a version or representation of Rose Tyler, previously played by Billie Piper. This uncertainty regarding the future of the series has raised doubts about how it will be received by current and new fans. “There are no guarantees that anyone will start writing Doctor Who books with a Billie Piper version of the Doctor, because the audience does not recognize that version,” Shearman stated, reflecting the lack of connection between the new characters and the audience.
Russell T Davies, the current showrunner, has assured that we are not at the end of Doctor Who, but admitted that future plans are uncertain. In a context where the BBC has stated that the series will continue “with or without” Disney, an additional layer of confusion arises regarding the distribution and future of the program. While fans eagerly await new updates, the future of Doctor Who seems to be fraught with uncertainties, leaving many questioning what direction the iconic British series will take in its continuity.
