Doctor Whofans finally received more details about one of the proposed spin-off projects that franchise custodian Russell T. Davies has in store in a bid to grow the franchise into what he has dubbed a ‘Whoniverse.’
DoctorWhois one of the most successful and long-running science fiction properties of all time, first airing in 1963 and starring the First Doctor, an alien from a race of ancient “Time Lords’ that could freely travel time and space with the aid of a police box time machine called the TARDIS. The series stayed relevant through the peculiar ability of the protagonist to undergo regeneration, which allows the Doctor to return to a new, different physical form after some great crisis or fatal blow. This framing device has allowed the series to recast its protagonist without losing continuity, leading toseveral versions of Doctor Whofor fans to rank subjectively and identify with as they see fit.
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Showrunner Russell T. Davies, whose recent return to the position has meant different things tofans of theDoctor Whofranchise, has stated his plans to expand on theDoctor Whofranchise, which involves the creation of spin-offs to expand the world-building and show new points of view. As reported byDeadline, the question of which supporting character is next getting the spotlight has been answered. BBC sources confirm the firstDoctor Whospin-off will focus on Jemma Redgrave’s Kate Stewart and UNIT, the military research organization she will be heading in the spin-off series.
WithJodie Whittaker’s final adventure as Doctor Whoin the specialThe Power of the Doctorlast year, the series seems geared to take a total shift. The spin-off series is a solid first step out of the mainline series and its half-century-long continuity. Redgrave, who has portrayed the character Kate Stewart for years prior in the main show, has the chops to takeDoctor Who"to the next level," as showrunner Davies intended to do with his new strategy.
While the future of the series looks bright, many fans wonder how well things might have worked outif Russell T. Davies had returned as Doctor Who showrunner earlier. While being far too big to fail and standing much to gain from the deal with Disney Plus, it is undeniable that the Doctor Who franchise lost steam in the interim years. While building a new fan base with the next generations was always necessary, the transition could have been smoother. If any property has shown an ability to seamlessly captivate a new audience while still hanging on to the past, it’sDoctor Who. Whether or not the new Doctor can get back on the mechanical horse after the rough patch has to be seen at year’s end.
Doctor Whoseason 14 is expected to premiere at the end of 2023 on the BBC and internationally on Disney Plus.
