Are you hearing buzz about the New Doctor Who Series and feeling left out? Perhaps you’ve tried watching before but felt lost in its vast universe? Or maybe you’re simply curious about this iconic British show that’s captivated audiences for decades? You’re not alone! With the exciting relaunch of Doctor Who for a fresh era and a new generation of viewers, now is the perfect time to jump aboard the TARDIS.
Image depicting the Doctor Who logo, representing the show’s long history and new beginnings.
This beginner’s guide is your essential starting point to understand and enjoy the new Doctor Who series. We’ll break down everything you need to know, from its core concepts to where to begin watching, ensuring you don’t feel like a time-lost traveler. Forget feeling overwhelmed – get ready to experience the wonder, humor, and heart of Doctor Who.
What Exactly is Doctor Who?
Doctor Who is a long-running British science fiction television program produced by the BBC. Premiering in 1963, it boasts an incredible 61-year history, making it a cultural phenomenon. The show is broadly divided into two main periods: Classic Who (1963-1989) and New Who, the rebooted series that began in 2005 and continues to this day, now entering an exciting new Doctor Who series phase. Once a niche cult favorite, Doctor Who has surged into mainstream popularity, particularly with the launch of the latest season featuring a brilliant new Doctor, sparking renewed global interest.
At its heart, Doctor Who is more than just a sci-fi adventure. It’s a show that delves into profound universal themes. Expect stories exploring wonder, goodness, the complexities of suffering and choice, the strength of friendship and love, the tragedies of war and hate, and the power of belief and curiosity. These themes often intersect with spirituality and faith, adding layers of depth to the narrative.
Delving Deeper: What’s the Show Really About?
On the surface, Doctor Who chronicles the adventures of the Doctor and their companions as they journey through time and space. But at its core, the show is a celebration of hope, goodness, and the sanctity of life and personal narratives. It champions doing what’s right, standing up for your beliefs, and navigating intricate moral dilemmas in an ever-changing universe. It’s also, quite simply, fantastic escapist entertainment. Doctor Who can seamlessly transition from moments of intense terror and thrilling action to laugh-out-loud comedy and profound heartbreak. Yes, heartbreak is definitely part of the Doctor Who experience.
A GIF showcasing the TARDIS materializing, symbolizing the Doctor’s journeys through time and space.
The writing is sharp, clever, and often intricate, weaving in subtle hints, long-term storylines, “Easter eggs,” and recurring jokes that reward long-time viewers. The more you watch, the richer the experience becomes. Doctor Who is indeed an often irreverent and exhilarating romp through time and space – weird, funny, and ingenious. But it also taps into the deepest human longings, exploring belief, faith, suffering, joy, curiosity, the vastness of the cosmos, and how we are shaped by our choices, experiences, and, most importantly, by love. The underlying message often emphasizes the inherent importance of every individual (“In 900 years of time and space, I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t important”) and the sacredness of all life. For many, Doctor Who enhances their sense of wonder and curiosity about the universe and our place within it.
As the Doctor eloquently puts it, “We’re all stories in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?”
Starting Fresh: No Need to Watch 60 Years of History
Feeling daunted by the prospect of six decades of Doctor Who? Relax! You absolutely do not need to watch Classic Who to appreciate the new Doctor Who series. While devoted fans might eventually delve into iconic stories from the past, it’s not a prerequisite for entry. In fact, even if you wanted to watch from the very beginning, a significant number of early episodes are sadly lost or believed to be destroyed. So, breathe easy – you’re not expected to binge-watch 60 years of television to become a Whovian. Below, we’ll guide you through excellent starting points to dive into the fandom.
Unpacking the Enigma: Who is The Doctor?
First things first: the Doctor’s name isn’t actually “Doctor Who.” “The Doctor” is a title they’ve adopted as their name. And yes, the Doctor is an alien – a Time Lord hailing from the planet Gallifrey. Time Lords possess a physiology different from humans, notably having two hearts, though they appear human (or, as they might argue, humans appear Time Lord-like). The Doctor is incredibly ancient, currently thousands of years old, depending on how you interpret the complex timelines within the show’s canon.
Furthermore, the Doctor is known as the Last of the Time Lords. Time Lords perceive time non-linearly, experiencing all of time and space simultaneously. Once guardians of time, they are now gone, making the Doctor the sole survivor. This profound loss deeply influences their actions, their respect for life, and their sense of responsibility.
A GIF showcasing the regeneration of a Doctor, highlighting the unique concept of the Doctor’s changing faces.
The most crucial Time Lord trait is regeneration. When mortally wounded or reaching the end of their natural life, a Time Lord can regenerate, renewing their entire body and becoming, essentially, a new person. This is why we refer to “Twelfth Doctor,” “Ninth Doctor,” and so on – each representing a distinct incarnation played by a different actor. This ingenious concept keeps Doctor Who fresh and perpetually evolving. Every few years, the lead actor departs, and a new Doctor emerges with a new face, personality nuances, and temperament.
Be warned: you will inevitably grow deeply attached to each Doctor and likely experience a pang of sadness with each regeneration, only to quickly embrace the new Doctor with equal fervor. Many fans develop a particularly strong connection to one Doctor, often affectionately referring to them as “My Doctor,” the one who sets their personal gold standard.
The Doctor’s true name remains unknown. We only know the title they chose, a title that embodies a promise: “Never cruel or cowardly, never give up, never give in.” Driven by this ethos, the Doctor often inspires those around them to become “better” in various senses of the word. Subtle hints and later confirmations reveal a past marked by immense suffering and loss, including references to being a father “not anymore.” The Doctor’s character is shaped as much by loss and outliving loved ones as by the wonders and joys they experience.
Steven Moffat, former Doctor Who showrunner, beautifully encapsulates the Doctor’s essence:
“When they made this particular hero, they didn’t give him a gun, they gave him a screwdriver to fix things. They didn’t give him a tank or a warship or an x-wing fighter, they gave him a call box from which you can call for help. And the didn’t give him a superpower or pointy ears or a heat ray, they gave him an extra heart. They gave him two hearts. And that’s an extraordinary thing; there will never come a time when we don’t need a hero like the Doctor.“
The Iconic Blue Box: What’s the TARDIS?
The blue police box is, in fact, the TARDIS, an acronym for Time And Relative Dimension In Space. This remarkable vehicle allows travel through both time and space. The Doctor’s story begins with them stealing the TARDIS and fleeing their home planet, Gallifrey. The police box disguise is a quirky accident: the TARDIS’s chameleon circuit, designed to camouflage it to blend into any environment, malfunctioned when landing in 1960s Britain. Police boxes were then commonplace, and the TARDIS became permanently stuck in this form, a blue police box forevermore.
The TARDIS is far more than it seems; it’s dimensionally transcendental, famously “bigger on the inside.” Its true interior size is likely limitless. The TARDIS is also sentient, playing an active role in the Doctor’s adventures, often influencing where and when they land. It’s a symbiotic relationship, with the TARDIS boasting not only ever-changing control rooms with each new Doctor but also hidden depths like swimming pools, libraries, and even darker, mysterious corners.
Companions: Who Travels with The Doctor?
The individuals who journey with the Doctor are known as “companions,” often, but not always, humans. Initially, companions served as audience surrogates, a relatable point of entry into the Doctor’s world, asking the questions viewers might have. However, they have evolved into fully realized characters with their own motivations, backstories, and intelligence. Companions act as the Doctor’s conscience, drive the plot, instigate action, provide comic relief, or offer grounding and emotional support.
The Doctor has a particular fondness for Earth, sometimes seeing themself as its protector. The relationships between the Doctor and companions are intricate and deeply emotional, often extending to the companions’ families on Earth, who also develop complex relationships with the Doctor. One of Doctor Who‘s strengths lies in its rich character development of companions, who grow and change significantly throughout their travels. Since the reboot, companions have arguably become co-leads. Some fall in love with the Doctor, others become best friends, and some share shorter but equally impactful journeys. The Doctor clearly has favorites, yet values each companion they travel with. To reveal more would venture into spoiler territory.
Beyond Alien Battles: What Kind of Stories to Expect
Contrary to assumptions, Doctor Who isn’t solely about fighting aliens. The Doctor is fundamentally pro-life and peace-loving, more fascinated by the new and different than threatened by it. Enemies typically arise when species or individuals violate these core values. The Doctor is inherently curious about alien life and holds a deep respect for it.
The iconic villains, like the Daleks, aren’t enemies simply because they are alien. The Daleks are antagonists because of their all-consuming hatred for anything unlike themselves and their desire to force the universe into a homogenous, lifeless existence. In fact, some of the Doctor’s fiercest conflicts have been with humans over our tendency to react with fear and violence towards the unknown.
A child’s drawing of Doctor Who elements, illustrating the show’s appeal to families and younger audiences.
Aliens are just one facet of Doctor Who. Expect adventures that take you to different points in Earth’s history, encounters with historical figures, confrontations with sinister human adversaries, and struggles against natural disasters across time and space. A hallmark of the show is its ability to take ordinary objects and everyday concepts and twist them just enough to become unsettling and menacing – you’ll never look at statues or earpieces quite the same way again.
Is Doctor Who a Show for Kids?
Doctor Who has roots as a children’s program. However, the rebooted series has evolved into family entertainment that often pushes into genuinely scary territory, potentially too intense for very young children. Many parents introduce it to children around ten or eleven years old. Embracing the show means accepting its inherent blend of tones, including moments of silliness and lightheartedness, which are beloved aspects for many fans. Doctor Who can swing from terrifying to hilarious within a single scene. Because of its enduring appeal to younger audiences, the show generally avoids explicit violence, swearing, or sexual content to convey its narratives, a quality many viewers appreciate.
Ready to Start? Your Entry Points into the New Doctor Who Series
Convinced to give Doctor Who a try? Excellent! Here are three recommended starting methods, especially perfect for the new Doctor Who series:
1. The Fifteenth Doctor Launch Method
The most direct way to start is right now with the current season, marking the beginning of a new Doctor Who series. You don’t need prior knowledge to enjoy it. Anticipating new viewers, the season is designed to introduce core concepts organically. If you connect with the show’s vibe, you can explore methods 2 or 3 later.
Currently, several episodes of the new Doctor Who series are available (The Church on Ruby Road, Space Babies, and The Devil’s Chord) on Disney Plus and BBC iPlayer. This season introduces a delightful new Doctor and a captivating new companion, Ruby Sunday, shrouded in mystery. With increased production value thanks to Disney’s involvement, the special effects are significantly enhanced. You’ll quickly grasp the show’s wonderfully bizarre nature, while also noticing the subtle setup for future storylines. Pay attention to details – Doctor Who is known for rewarding observant viewers.
2. The 2005 Reboot Immersion Method
Begin with the 2005 reboot, starting with Series/Season 1, Episode 1, “Rose,” and watch chronologically. This was the starting point for many, including the author of the original article, making it a sentimentally favored approach.
However, be warned: early seasons of the reboot feature noticeably cheesier special effects and a distinct silliness that might be challenging for viewers accustomed to contemporary high-budget television. The sheer volume of episodes ahead (over twenty years’ worth) can also feel daunting.
While the initial episodes might test your patience – perhaps even featuring “farting aliens on Downing Street” – persevere until episodes like “The Empty Child” and “The Doctor Dances” (Series 1, Episodes 8 and 9). These episodes often mark a turning point, showcasing the show’s perfect blend of fear, love, creepiness, and beauty, often converting initial skeptics into devoted fans. This method is riskier but provides complete backstory and introduces David Tennant’s immensely popular Tenth Doctor.
3. The “Blink” and “Vincent” Taster Method
This method is ideal for those who attempted Doctor Who before but didn’t “get it,” or for viewers unsure about committing to a show with extensive history.
Your plan: First, watch “Blink” (Series 3, Episode 10, 2007). While featuring the Tenth Doctor and companion Martha, it’s a standout early reboot episode that brilliantly illustrates time travel concepts even with limited Doctor screen time. Next, watch “Vincent and the Doctor” (Series 5, Episode 10, 2010) with the Eleventh Doctor.
Feeling intrigued? Now, jump to Series 5, Episode 1, “The Eleventh Hour” (2010), introducing the Eleventh Doctor and companion Amy Pond. This marked another soft reboot, designed to be accessible for new viewers, much like the current new Doctor Who series launch. This method is particularly effective for those initially put off by the early reboot’s campiness.
Many who try this method become instant Whovians, often returning to Series 1, Episode 1 to experience the entire journey from the beginning, embracing all its quirks and charms.
A GIF of the Eleventh Doctor, representing a popular starting point for new viewers.
Where to Watch Doctor Who?
For the new Doctor Who series, you can watch current episodes on Disney Plus in North America and BBC iPlayer in the UK. Older seasons are generally available on Amazon Prime and HBO Max. Classic Who can also be found on BritBox.
For a budget-friendly and commitment-free approach, consider borrowing DVDs from your local library to explore older seasons.
This guide provides a solid foundation to begin your Doctor Who adventure. The universe is vast and inviting. Don’t hesitate – step into the TARDIS and embark on your own incredible journey through time and space with the new Doctor Who series!
