BBC boss insists Doctor Who is ‘a very long way from ending’ despite all-time ratings low
DOCTOR Who will conclude its twelfth season on Sunday night, but the latest instalment hasn’t all been plain sailing.
The BBC sci-fi hit has divided opinion with many of its recent storylines, with some viewers accusing the show of a “political correctness overload”.
With episodes focused on mental health, pollution and climate change, show boss Chris Chibnall hasn’t shied away from tackling some extremely cutting-edge issues, but this has led to accusations of “preaching and lecturing”.
While series 12 started strong, with 4.9million people turning in for the New Year’s Day Spyfall premiere, the ratings have since dwindled to 3.7million, marking an all-time low.
Nonetheless, BBC drama controller Piers Wenger has insisted that Doctor Who won’t be going anywhere in the immediate future.
“I worked on Doctor Who myself and produced it for many years and I can honestly say I don’t think it’s been in better health editorially - the production values have never been better,” he explained.
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He claimed the show had the power to unify generations against all odds.
“It’s an incredibly important show for young audiences, it’s still watched by families in a world where there are fewer shows that have the power to do that,” he continued to Deadline.
“It will always be an important show for us and we’re a very long way from wanting to rest it.”
Jodie Whittaker previously confirmed that she would return to front the show next year in season 13.
Filming is set to kick off this autumn, though it remains unclear which of The Doctor’s companions will reprise their roles.
“I’m doing another season,” Jodie told Entertainment Weekly last month.
“That might be a massive exclusive that I’m not supposed to say, but it’s unhelpful for me to say [I don’t know] because it would be a massive lie.
“I absolutely adore it. At some point, these shoes are going to be handed on, but it’s not yet. I’m clinging on tight!”
Doctor Who’s two-part finale opener saw The Doctor travel to Earth in the distant future, where she found the last surviving humans under siege from the Cybermen.
However, her escape efforts took a sinister turn after The Master (Sacha Dhawan) made a dastardly return at the end of the episode.
Fans couldn't get enough of The Master's comeback, championing it as "long overdue."
Doctor Who concludes on Sunday at 7:10pm on BBC One and will be available to stream on iPlayer.