Doctor Who Showrunner Comes Clear About Controversial Disney Collaboration

Summary:

• Starting with the 60th anniversary specials, Doctor Who is now produced in partnership between the BBC and Disney.
• Many fans were unhappy about this decision, fearing that Doctor Who would lose its character and become just another blockbuster.
• Russell T. Davies, a current showrunner and Doctor Who veteran, explained the truth behind the collaboration, claiming that the show shouldn't end when it's time for the BBC.

After the questionable performance of Doctor Who's 13th series, it was clear to everyone involved that the iconic British sci-fi show needed a breath of fresh air in order to survive. What people didn't expect, however, was the partnership that the BBC formed with Disney in the U.S. to not only distribute the show, but to work on its production.

Looking back at Disney's approach when it comes to Star Wars, one of the biggest franchises the giant has acquired over the years, fans were devastated by the news. The alternative, however, is even more devastating.

Will There Be Doctor Who Series 15?

Of course, the last thing any Whovian ever wanted was for an American blockbuster to be written all over a British cultural phenomenon. With so many people growing up with Doctor Who and traveling through time and space with him, viewers weren't ready for such a major change.

Fortunately, the 4 episodes that have already aired, including the 60th anniversary trilogy, have proven that the essence of Doctor Who hasn't gone away at all. Even if the show has slightly more visuals and more guest stars than ever before, these changes are for the better. Especially when you consider how dark things could have gotten otherwise.

Speaking on the They Like to Watch podcast, Russell T. Davies explained that while the Doctor Who brand is still strong, the BBC is not. Instead of scrambling to find a new network to air the show on, the team decided to choose on their own terms.

“You’ve got to look in the long term at the end of the BBC, which is undoubtedly on its way in some shape or form. Is Doctor Who going to die then? No! You’ve got to prepare for that kind of stuff,” he said.

Should We Brace For an End of an Era?

If you look at the history of Doctor Who over the years, the concern seems more than reasonable. There was a time when the show had to take a long break because it was too dependent on BBC funding. Doctor Who was off the air from 1989 to 2005, and now that it's back, no one wants to make the same mistake again.

While there are some changes that Disney is dictating that don't sit well with British audiences, such as the new schedule that clearly favors U.S. viewers over British viewers, it's better to take a day off from social media than to have Doctor Who not air at all.

If you don't mind the recent changes to Doctor Who, be sure to tune in to Disney Plus on May 11 to catch the premiere of the new sci-fi adventure series.

Source: They Like to Watch