Iconic Time Travel TV Show Dubbed Oldest Sci-Fi Franchise Ever Restarts Itself Again

Most TV shows cling to their characters and actors, and an important cast member’s exit can even ruin the entire series’ viewership and ratings. That’s not the case with Doctor Who, the TV show that thrives on the reinvention of itself: its very concept has always been about constantly changing lead and supporting actors and moving forward without those pesky emotional attachments. That’s how this series goes.

And even 60 years later, it keeps going — with another big reinvention, of course.

Doctor Who Is All About Starting Over

Seeing how the first Doctor Who episode was aired on BBC1 in 1963, it’s amazing how resilient this series turned out to be. Doctor Who was revived and reinvented in 1996 by Fox; then, in 2005, by BBC One; and now, once again, by Disney Plus. Say what you will, but this TV show knows everything about starting over — and doing it in the most spectacular fashion ever.

The very concept of Doctor Who makes it easy for the series to constantly reinvent itself, with both the lead and supporting cast changing every season. Doctor Who is ever-changing yet persistent, always ready to adapt and keep going in the new age.

Doctor Who Gets a New Life on Disney Plus

The iconic series just moved from BBC One to Disney Plus, and the upcoming new season starring Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson, while technically being Season 14, will be considered Season 1. You heard it right, Doctor Who gets another big restart, and now the countdown you were used to is no more. Another Season 1 incoming!

Furthermore, the 2023 Christmas special episode, The Church on Ruby Road, that introduced Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson’s characters, will serve as Season 1 Episode 1 in this new iteration of Doctor Who. All this can get pretty confusing, so here’s the “Too Long, Didn’t Read” version for those who aren’t following:

Disney Plus took over Doctor Who, and its Season 1 premieres on May 10, 2024.

Source: Disney Plus