How Many Series of Doctor Who Are There? A Guide to Seasons and Numbering

Navigating the timeline of Doctor Who can feel like traversing time and space itself, especially when trying to understand the numbering of its seasons and series. If you’re feeling lost in the wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey world of Doctor Who episode counts, you’re definitely not alone. The good news is, we’re here to clarify the different numbering systems used throughout the show’s long and fascinating history.

Classic Era: Doctor Who Seasons 1-26

Doctor Who first premiered in 1963, starring William Hartnell as the enigmatic First Doctor. A key element to the show’s longevity is the concept of “regeneration,” allowing the Doctor to transform into a new incarnation (and be played by a different actor) whenever necessary. This ingenious plot device has sustained Doctor Who for decades, leading to a wealth of stories across numerous seasons.

The original run of Doctor Who, often referred to as the “Classic Era,” utilized a straightforward season numbering system. Starting from 1963, each year of broadcast was designated as a new season, continuing consecutively until the show’s initial hiatus in 1989. This resulted in 26 seasons within the Classic Era, each featuring a different era of the Doctor’s adventures.

Here’s a breakdown of the Classic Era Doctor Who seasons:

New Era: Doctor Who Series 1-13

After a hiatus from 1989, Doctor Who triumphantly returned in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor. This marked the beginning of the “New Era,” and with it came a shift in terminology. The revival adopted a “series” numbering system, starting fresh with Series 1. This was intended to signal a new beginning for the show and differentiate it from the Classic Era.

The New Era continued the series numbering for thirteen installments, showcasing the adventures of the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Doctors. This era cemented Doctor Who’s place in the 21st century, introducing the show to a new generation of viewers while honoring its rich history.

Here’s a list of the New Era Doctor Who series:

Global Era: Doctor Who Season 1 (and Beyond)

In a move to potentially broaden its global appeal, showrunner Russell T. Davies has announced that Ncuti Gatwa’s debut season as the Fifteenth Doctor will be designated as “Season 1.” This decision means Doctor Who now has two separate “Season 1” designations – one from the Classic Era and one from the new Global Era – alongside the “Series 1” from the New Era.

This “Global Era” Season 1 marks another fresh start for Doctor Who, aiming to attract an even wider international audience. While potentially adding to the numbering confusion, it signifies an exciting new chapter for the beloved sci-fi show.

Here’s the start of the Global Era numbering:

In total, Doctor Who has 26 seasons in the Classic Era, 13 series in the New Era, and is starting a new Season 1 for the Global Era. Understanding this breakdown should help any viewer, whether a seasoned fan or a newcomer, navigate the incredible journey through time and space that is Doctor Who.