Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has recently announced a significant change in the program’s numbering and naming scheme, rebranding Series 14 as Season 1. This decision is set to potentially confuse new fans joining the Doctor Who bandwagon ahead of its 60th anniversary, given the complexity it adds to the programme’s episode organisation.
When Doctor Who first aired in 1963, its episodes were ordered and labelled as “Season 1”, a system that continued until the end of the original run with Season 26 in 1989. However, the Doctor Who revival in 2005 deviated from this convention, as the adventures of Christopher Eccleston’s Ninth Doctor became series 1. The use of series instead of seasons continued with his successors, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, and Jodie Whittaker.
In a recent interview with SFX magazine, Davies confirmed that Doctor Who Series 14 will not just mark a return to “season” terminology but will also reset the show’s chronology altogether. He said, “Next year, Season 1. Yes, we’re calling it Season 1.”
Russell T Davies has officially confirmed in SFX magazine that Series 14 will officially be called Season One! ✨
— WilliamWho (@WilliamWhoDW) November 1, 2023
The New Who era (2005-2022) is now over… 👋
So, what comes next? 👀 pic.twitter.com/vLHPMYWEhO
Davies expects this change to be “controversial” among the Doctor Who fanbase but doesn’t seem to be overly concerned about potential backlash. While he didn’t elaborate on the decision’s motivation, he described it as a necessary measure to “reset” the show. This has led fans to speculate on the possible influence of Disney acquiring the rights to air Doctor Who on Disney+ outside the UK and Ireland.
Fans’ reactions to this news have been mixed. While some express disapproval, with comments such as “I’m just gonna keep calling it Series 14. This is such a dumb idea,” others have been more accepting. Those less fazed by the change argue that the “Season 1” label seems fitting for kicking off the Doctor Who’s “Whoniverse” era, especially as the previous, post-revival “New Who” (or “NuWho”) era is nearing its 20-year mark.
Regardless of the fanbase’s varied reactions, the focus remains on Season 1. Davies, already planning for Doctor Who Seasons 3 and 4 following the two seasons led by Ncuti Gatwa, has sparked anticipation among fans for what lies ahead in the revamped chronology of the beloved sci-fi series. Fans will have to wait until 2024 to see how these changes play out on screen.
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