Traditional television ratings for Doctor Who have been on a general downward trend for many years, but this decline does not necessarily mean the show is becoming less popular overall, as viewing habits have changed dramatically with the rise of streaming services.
Deadline has analyzed official seven-day viewing figures for the first half of Season 15, and it does not make easy reading for those involved in Doctor Who. The first four episodes have averaged 3.1M viewers, which was 800,000 viewers down from last year's season, which was Gatwa's first as the Doctor.
Dr Who was what is was to England because it was an experience to sit down and watch it while you eat. There's hidden depth but most people just watch it and moved on. That experience is a dime a dozen for any film or show now and that's seen in the fact many properties are struggling more than they used to.
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Meanwhile, the Entertainment Strategy Guy blog branded Doctor Who's debut on Disney as one of the “flops” of 2024. There was also a serious lack of awards buzz around the series, which only managed one Primetime Emmy nomination (for Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming in 2025) during its time on Disney+.
It made those two episodes hard to watch. The writing is all over the place, frantic, shallow and preachy at times, and most jokes fell flat. The acting performance wasn't great either. Ncuti Gatwa's felts too whimsical and trying too much to act cool to be convincing as the new doctor.
Yes, Rwandan-Scottish actor Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who, Sex Education) has publicly come out as queer, sharing his truth in interviews, emphasizing that while he hasn't been "in the closet," he waited to define his sexuality publicly, inspired by his experiences and finding community, making him a significant figure for LGBTQ+ representation, especially as the first openly gay actor to play Doctor Who.
While appearing on The One Show, via ScreenRant, he was asked about Doctor Who. Gatwa said he regretted never getting to face off against the Doctor's most iconic enemies. "I never got to fight a Dalek. A Dalek or a Cyberman," he said.
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Several portions of the long-running British science-fiction television programme Doctor Who are no longer held by the BBC. Between 1967 and 1978, the BBC routinely deleted archive programmes for various practical reasons—lack of space, scarcity of materials, and a lack of rebroadcast rights.
Ncuti Gatwa left Doctor Who primarily because the role was incredibly demanding, leading to physical and mental exhaustion after intense, back-to-back filming schedules for two seasons, with production taking a significant toll on his body and energy levels, making it "time" to move on despite loving the iconic job. He explained it was a draining, "go, go, go" experience with little chance to recover, causing him to feel tired and burnt out, though he hasn't ruled out a future return.
The 33-year-old actor left the show in 2013 and was replaced by Peter Capaldi, but according to Moffat, Smith wishes he'd never left. The showrunner told The Mirror that Smith is “quite open about how much he misses it, and how much he wishes he hadn't left”.
In a statement, Lindsay Salt, the BBC's Director of Drama, said that the BBC "remains fully committed to Doctor Who, which continues to be one of our most loved dramas". "We are delighted that Russell T Davies has agreed to write us another spectacular Christmas special for 2026.
Deadline has spoken with multiple sources in Doctor Who's orbit who say the Disney deal fell apart for a variety of reasons, including concerns over the Ncuti Gatwa show's failure to break out from its established fan base and its big-ticket budget.
The episode was seen by 13.8 million watching at its peak, according to consolidated ratings, when it was first broadcast on Christmas Day on BBC One. The ratings success of "Voyage of the Damned" has been partially and fully attributed to Minogue's casting in the role of Astrid.
In the United States, series fifteen failed to enter streaming charts from Luminate or Nielsen. The BBC ultimately announced in October 2025 that the programme would continue and return with a 2026 Christmas special, although without backing from Disney+.
Joe Street, 22, content creator and super fan, said: “The biggest downfall of the current release strategy from a fan perspective is that it kind of kills the event feeling that used to come with a set broadcast time. “It also makes it harder for fans to discuss the episodes together without running into spoilers.
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Originally a man with the demeanour of an eccentric, light-hearted buffoon who delighted in humorous reverie, the Seventh Doctor darkened into a Machiavellian manipulator to combat Fenric's return, becoming a sombre genius of frightful calibre who could tactfully use his mind to manipulate almost any situation into ...
Gatwa came out as queer in an August 2023 interview with Elle magazine, having previously avoided discussing his sexuality, despite popular speculation, for his "safety and mental health".
The two actors - who rose to fame as husband and wife duo Amy Pond and Rory Williams during Matt Smith's spell as the Time Lord - have stayed close over the years, and they're set to relive their days in the TARDIS together on The Pondcast.
In a recent Instagram video interview with costar Millie Gibson, actor Ncuti Gatwa revealed the proper pronunciation of his name. My name is pronounced N-shoo-tee. It's like a n (pause) shoo-tee.
Speaking to The Telegraph about leaving Doctor Who, Gatwa explained: "I was tired and burnt out at the end of [season 2]. It was exhausting. But it was a magical time, magical. “There was never an opportunity to recoup the energy – it's just go, go, go.
Yes, Idris Elba has shown clear support for the LGBTQ+ community, notably by signing an open letter in 2021 with other Black celebrities to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and protection in Ghana following the raid on a community center there, urging for allyship and dialogue. His actions demonstrate solidarity with LGBTQ+ individuals facing discrimination and a desire for greater inclusivity and safety for the community.