List of Doctor Who episodes (2005–present)

Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. As of 22 June 2024, 883 episodes of Doctor Who have aired. This includes one television movie and multiple specials, and encompasses 311 stories over 40 seasons, starting in 1963. Additionally, four charity specials and two animated serials have also been aired. The programme's high episode count has resulted in Doctor Who holding the world record for the highest number of episodes of a science-fiction programme.[1] As of November 2023, up to a seventeenth series of the revived era has been planned.[2]

Doctor Who ceased broadcasting in 1989, then resumed in 2005. The original series (1963–1989), generally consists of multi-episode serials. The 2005 revival trades the earlier serial format for a run of self-contained episodes, interspersed with occasional multi-part stories and structured into loose story arcs.

The story numbers below are meant as a guide to placement in the overall context of the programme.[3] There is some dispute, for instance, about whether to count Season 23's The Trial of a Time Lord as one or as four serials,[4] and whether the unfinished serial Shada should be included.[5] The numbering scheme in this list follows the official website's episode guide.[3] Other sources, such as the Region 1 classic Doctor Who DVD releases, use different numbering schemes, which diverge after the 108th story, The Horns of Nimon (1979–1980).

Series overview

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The following table dictates the season or series in question for the programme as a whole.

Regular seasons

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Season / SeriesDoctorEpisodesSerialsOriginally aired (UK)Average viewers
(millions)
Average AI
First airedLast aired
Classic era
Season 1First Doctor42823 November 1963 (1963-11-23)12 September 1964 (1964-09-12)8.0859
Season 239931 October 1964 (1964-10-31)24 July 1965 (1965-07-24)10.4654
Season 3451011 September 1965 (1965-09-11)16 July 1966 (1966-07-16)7.6549
Season 4[a]Second Doctor43910 September 1966 (1966-09-10)1 July 1967 (1967-07-01)7.1049
Season 54072 September 1967 (1967-09-02)1 June 1968 (1968-06-01)7.2353
Season 644710 August 1968 (1968-08-10)21 June 1969 (1969-06-21)6.3854
Season 7Third Doctor2543 January 1970 (1970-01-03)20 June 1970 (1970-06-20)7.1759
Season 82552 January 1971 (1971-01-02)19 June 1971 (1971-06-19)7.96
Season 92651 January 1972 (1972-01-01)24 June 1972 (1972-06-24)8.30
Season 1026530 December 1972 (1972-12-30)23 June 1973 (1973-06-23)8.87
Season 1126515 December 1973 (1973-12-15)8 June 1974 (1974-06-08)8.7860
Season 12Fourth Doctor20528 December 1974 (1974-12-28)10 May 1975 (1975-05-10)10.0056
Season 1326630 August 1975 (1975-08-30)6 March 1976 (1976-03-06)10.1457
Season 142664 September 1976 (1976-09-04)2 April 1977 (1977-04-02)11.0859
Season 152663 September 1977 (1977-09-03)11 March 1978 (1978-03-11)8.9862
Season 16[b]2662 September 1978 (1978-09-02)24 February 1979 (1979-02-24)8.6164
Season 17205[c]1 September 1979 (1979-09-01)12 January 1980 (1980-01-12)11.2165
Season 1828730 August 1980 (1980-08-30)21 March 1981 (1981-03-21)5.8263
Season 19Fifth Doctor2674 January 1982 (1982-01-04)30 March 1982 (1982-03-30)9.24
Season 202263 January 1983 (1983-01-03)16 March 1983 (1983-03-16)7.0367
Season 21[d]2475 January 1984 (1984-01-05)30 March 1984 (1984-03-30)7.1465
Season 22[e]Sixth Doctor1365 January 1985 (1985-01-05)30 March 1985 (1985-03-30)7.1264
Season 23[f]1416 September 1986 (1986-09-06)6 December 1986 (1986-12-06)4.8169
Season 24Seventh Doctor1447 September 1987 (1987-09-07)7 December 1987 (1987-12-07)4.9460
Season 251445 October 1988 (1988-10-05)4 January 1989 (1989-01-04)5.3468
Season 261446 September 1989 (1989-09-06)6 December 1989 (1989-12-06)4.1568
Revived era
Series 1Ninth Doctor131026 March 2005 (2005-03-26)18 June 2005 (2005-06-18)7.9582
Series 2Tenth Doctor131015 April 2006 (2006-04-15)8 July 2006 (2006-07-08)7.7184
Series 313931 March 2007 (2007-03-31)30 June 2007 (2007-06-30)7.5586
Series 413105 April 2008 (2008-04-05)5 July 2008 (2008-07-05)8.0588
Series 5Eleventh Doctor13103 April 2010 (2010-04-03)26 June 2010 (2010-06-26)7.7386
Series 6131123 April 2011 (2011-04-23)1 October 2011 (2011-10-01)7.5286
Series 713131 September 2012 (2012-09-01)18 May 2013 (2013-05-18)7.4486
Series 8Twelfth Doctor121123 August 2014 (2014-08-23)8 November 2014 (2014-11-08)7.2683
Series 912919 September 2015 (2015-09-19)5 December 2015 (2015-12-05)6.0382
Series 10121115 April 2017 (2017-04-15)1 July 2017 (2017-07-01)5.4683
Series 11Thirteenth Doctor10107 October 2018 (2018-10-07)9 December 2018 (2018-12-09)7.9681
Series 121081 January 2020 (2020-01-01)1 March 2020 (2020-03-01)5.4080
Series 13[g]6131 October 2021 (2021-10-31)5 December 2021 (2021-12-05)4.9577
Series 14Fifteenth Doctor8711 May 2024 (2024-05-11)22 June 2024 (2024-06-22)3.71
Series 158[6]TBA2025 (2025)[6]TBATBATBA

Specials

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Special(s)DoctorEpisodesOriginally airedAverage viewers
(millions)
Average AI
20th anniversaryFifth Doctor125 November 1983 (1983-11-25)7.7075
Television filmEighth Doctor112 May 1996 (1996-05-12)9.0875
2005 ChristmasTenth Doctor125 December 2005 (2005-12-25)9.8484
2006 Christmas125 December 2006 (2006-12-25)9.3584
2007 Christmas125 December 2007 (2007-12-25)13.3186
2008–2010 specials[h]525 December 2008 – 1 January 2010 (2008-12-25 – 2010-01-01)11.5088
2010 ChristmasEleventh Doctor125 December 2010 (2010-12-25)12.1183
2011 Christmas125 December 2011 (2011-12-25)10.7784
2012 Christmas125 December 2012 (2012-12-25)9.8787
2013 specials[i]223 November – 25 December 2013 (2013-11-23 – 2013-12-25)11.9786
2014 ChristmasTwelfth Doctor125 December 2014 (2014-12-25)8.2882
2015 Christmas125 December 2015 (2015-12-25)7.6982
2016 Christmas125 December 2016 (2016-12-25)7.8382
2017 Christmas125 December 2017 (2017-12-25)7.9281
2019 New YearThirteenth Doctor11 January 2019 (2019-01-01)7.1380
2020 New Year[j]1 January 2020 (2020-01-01)6.8982
2021 New Year11 January 2021 (2021-01-01)6.3679
2022 specials[k]31 January – 23 October 2022 (2022-01-01 – 2022-10-23)4.3978
2023 specials[l]Fourteenth Doctor325 November – 9 December 2023 (2023-11-25 – 2023-12-09)7.2084
2023 ChristmasFifteenth Doctor125 December 2023 (2023-12-25)7.4982
2024 Christmas125 December 2024 (2024-12-25)[9]TBATBA

Notes

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  1. ^ The First Doctor remained for the first two serials of season 4. The Second Doctor featured for the remainder of the season from the third serial, The Power of the Daleks.
  2. ^ Also known by its subtitle, The Key to Time
  3. ^ Shada was left unfinished due to a strike. The story was later completed and officially released on home media in 2017. The voices of the original actors with new animation was incorporated to bridge the gaps between the recorded live-action segments. It is not included in the episode or story counts as it was not broadcast.
  4. ^ The Fifth Doctor regenerated in the sixth serial of season 21. The Sixth Doctor featured only in the final serial, The Twin Dilemma.
  5. ^ A change in transmission format for this season only as episodes were 45 minutes instead of the usual 24 minutes. Thus a traditional 4-part story was transmitted in 2 parts.
  6. ^ Also known by its subtitle, The Trial of a Time Lord
  7. ^ Also known by its subtitle, Flux
  8. ^ These specials consist of the 2008 Christmas, 2009 Easter, 2009 November and the 2009–10 Christmas/New Year's Day episodes.
  9. ^ These specials consist of the 50th Anniversary and 2013 Christmas episodes.
  10. ^ This episode was the first episode of the twelfth series (and is only counted in the § Regular seasons table of this article), and thus not a special aired outside of a series, but it was aired four days before the twelfth series' traditional timeslot in order to air deliberately on New Year's Day.
  11. ^ These specials consist of the 2022 New Year's Day, 2022 Easter, and 2022 BBC Centenary episodes.[7][8]
  12. ^ These specials consist of the 60th anniversary episodes.

Episodes

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Ninth Doctor

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In 2005, the BBC relaunched Doctor Who after a 15-year absence from episodic television, with Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner, and Mal Young as executive producers, Phil Collinson as producer, and Christopher Eccleston taking the lead role of the Ninth Doctor.

For the first time since the 1965–1966 season, each episode has a title, and most were stand alone as complete stories. The show also returned to its traditional Saturday evening slot.

During Eccleston's tenure, the episodes were all set on either Earth, or in its orbit, in its past, present and future. In his last story, The Parting of the Ways, the Doctor absorbed the Time Vortex to save his companion, leading to his regeneration.

Series 1 (2005)

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The 2005 series introduces Billie Piper as the companion Rose Tyler, and constitutes a loose story arc, dealing with the consequences of the Time War and its impact on the Doctor, and the mystery of the seemingly omnipresent phrase 'Bad Wolf'.

No.
story
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
UK viewers
(millions) [10]
AI[11]
1571"Rose"Keith BoakRussell T Davies26 March 2005 (2005-03-26)1.110.8176
1582"The End of the World"Euros LynRussell T Davies2 April 2005 (2005-04-02)1.27.9776
1593"The Unquiet Dead"Euros LynMark Gatiss9 April 2005 (2005-04-09)1.38.8680
160a4"Aliens of London"Keith BoakRussell T Davies16 April 2005 (2005-04-16)1.47.6382
160b5"World War Three"Keith BoakRussell T Davies23 April 2005 (2005-04-23)1.57.9881
1616"Dalek"Joe AhearneRobert Shearman30 April 2005 (2005-04-30)1.68.6384
1627"The Long Game"Brian GrantRussell T Davies7 May 2005 (2005-05-07)1.78.0181
1638"Father's Day"Joe AhearnePaul Cornell14 May 2005 (2005-05-14)1.88.0683
164a9"The Empty Child"James HawesSteven Moffat21 May 2005 (2005-05-21)1.97.1184
164b10"The Doctor Dances"James HawesSteven Moffat28 May 2005 (2005-05-28)1.106.8685
16511"Boom Town"Joe AhearneRussell T Davies4 June 2005 (2005-06-04)1.117.6882
166a12"Bad Wolf"Joe AhearneRussell T Davies11 June 2005 (2005-06-11)1.126.8186
166b13"The Parting of the Ways"Joe AhearneRussell T Davies18 June 2005 (2005-06-18)1.136.9189

Tenth Doctor

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The Tenth Doctor was portrayed by David Tennant, who was cast before the first series aired.[12] With the success of the first series, Doctor Who returned to its old formula of visiting alien planets in addition to the time travel. Tennant retained the role until Part Two of The End of Time when the Doctor suffers radiation poisoning, saving his companion.

Series 2 (2006)

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The back-story for the spin-off series Torchwood is "seeded" in various episodes in the 2006 series. Rose continues travelling with the Doctor, leaving the series at the end of the finale Doomsday.

No.
story
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
UK viewers
(millions) [10]
AI[13]
Special
167"The Christmas Invasion"James HawesRussell T Davies25 December 2005 (2005-12-25)2X9.84[14]84
Series
1681"New Earth"James HawesRussell T Davies15 April 2006 (2006-04-15)2.18.6285
1692"Tooth and Claw"Euros LynRussell T Davies22 April 2006 (2006-04-22)2.29.2483
1703"School Reunion"James HawesToby Whithouse29 April 2006 (2006-04-29)2.38.3185
1714"The Girl in the Fireplace"Euros LynSteven Moffat6 May 2006 (2006-05-06)2.47.9084
172a5"Rise of the Cybermen"Graeme HarperTom MacRae13 May 2006 (2006-05-13)2.59.2286
172b6"The Age of Steel"Graeme HarperTom MacRae20 May 2006 (2006-05-20)2.67.6386
1737"The Idiot's Lantern"Euros LynMark Gatiss27 May 2006 (2006-05-27)2.76.7684
174a8"The Impossible Planet"James StrongMatt Jones3 June 2006 (2006-06-03)2.86.3285
174b9"The Satan Pit"James StrongMatt Jones10 June 2006 (2006-06-10)2.96.0886
17510"Love & Monsters"Dan ZeffRussell T Davies17 June 2006 (2006-06-17)2.106.6676
17611"Fear Her"Euros LynMatthew Graham24 June 2006 (2006-06-24)2.117.1483
177a12"Army of Ghosts"Graeme HarperRussell T Davies1 July 2006 (2006-07-01)2.128.1986
177b13"Doomsday"Graeme HarperRussell T Davies8 July 2006 (2006-07-08)2.138.2289

Series 3 (2007)

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This series introduces Freema Agyeman as the companion Martha Jones, whose tenure also ends in the finale Last of the Time Lords, and deals with the Face of Boe's final message, the mysterious Mr. Saxon, and the Doctor dealing with the loss of Rose Tyler.

No.
story
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
UK viewers
(millions) [10]
AI[11]
Special
178"The Runaway Bride"Euros LynRussell T Davies25 December 2006 (2006-12-25)3X9.3584
Series
1791"Smith and Jones"Charles PalmerRussell T Davies31 March 2007 (2007-03-31)3.18.7188
1802"The Shakespeare Code"Charles PalmerGareth Roberts7 April 2007 (2007-04-07)3.27.2387
1813"Gridlock"Richard ClarkRussell T Davies14 April 2007 (2007-04-14)3.38.4185
182a4"Daleks in Manhattan"James StrongHelen Raynor21 April 2007 (2007-04-21)3.46.6986
182b5"Evolution of the Daleks"James StrongHelen Raynor28 April 2007 (2007-04-28)3.56.9785
1836"The Lazarus Experiment"Richard ClarkStephen Greenhorn5 May 2007 (2007-05-05)3.67.1986
1847"42"Graeme HarperChris Chibnall19 May 2007 (2007-05-19)3.77.4185
185a8"Human Nature"Charles PalmerPaul Cornell26 May 2007 (2007-05-26)3.87.7486
185b9"The Family of Blood"Charles PalmerPaul Cornell2 June 2007 (2007-06-02)3.97.2186
18610"Blink"Hettie MacDonaldSteven Moffat9 June 2007 (2007-06-09)3.106.6287
187a11"Utopia"Graeme HarperRussell T Davies16 June 2007 (2007-06-16)3.117.8487
187b12"The Sound of Drums"Colin TeagueRussell T Davies23 June 2007 (2007-06-23)3.127.5187
187c13"Last of the Time Lords"Colin TeagueRussell T Davies30 June 2007 (2007-06-30)3.138.6188

Series 4 (2008)

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This series explores the coincidences binding the Doctor and the new companion Donna together, portrayed by Catherine Tate, who reprised her role from the Christmas special The Runaway Bride, and departed the series in the finale Journey's End, which also brought back all the companions in the revived series upto that moment. There is also a loose story arc of both planets and bees mysteriously disappearing.

No.
story
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
UK viewers
(millions) [10]
AI[11]
Special
188"Voyage of the Damned"James StrongRussell T Davies25 December 2007 (2007-12-25)4X13.3186
Series
1891"Partners in Crime"James StrongRussell T Davies5 April 2008 (2008-04-05)4.19.1488
1902"The Fires of Pompeii"Colin TeagueJames Moran12 April 2008 (2008-04-12)4.39.0487
1913"Planet of the Ood"Graeme HarperKeith Temple19 April 2008 (2008-04-19)4.27.5087
192a4"The Sontaran Stratagem"Douglas MackinnonHelen Raynor26 April 2008 (2008-04-26)4.47.0687
192b5"The Poison Sky"Douglas MackinnonHelen Raynor3 May 2008 (2008-05-03)4.56.5388
1936"The Doctor's Daughter"Alice TroughtonStephen Greenhorn10 May 2008 (2008-05-10)4.67.3388
1947"The Unicorn and the Wasp"Graeme HarperGareth Roberts17 May 2008 (2008-05-17)4.78.4186
195a8"Silence in the Library"Euros LynSteven Moffat31 May 2008 (2008-05-31)4.96.2789
195b9"Forest of the Dead"Euros LynSteven Moffat7 June 2008 (2008-06-07)4.107.8489
19610"Midnight"Alice TroughtonRussell T Davies14 June 2008 (2008-06-14)4.88.0586
19711"Turn Left"Graeme HarperRussell T Davies21 June 2008 (2008-06-21)4.118.0988
198a12"The Stolen Earth"Graeme HarperRussell T Davies28 June 2008 (2008-06-28)4.128.7891
198b13"Journey's End"Graeme HarperRussell T Davies5 July 2008 (2008-07-05)4.1310.5791

Specials (2008–2010)

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The specials focus on the "four knocks" and the death of the Tenth Doctor. The Doctor continued to travel alone through all the specials, taking one-off companions as he deals with the grief of continuously ending up alone time after time.

No.
story
No.
special
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
UK viewers
(millions) [10]
AI[15]
1991"The Next Doctor"Andy GoddardRussell T Davies25 December 2008 (2008-12-25)4.1413.1086
2002"Planet of the Dead"James StrongRussell T Davies & Gareth Roberts11 April 2009 (2009-04-11)4.159.7588
2013"The Waters of Mars"Graeme HarperRussell T Davies & Phil Ford15 November 2009 (2009-11-15)4.1610.3288
202a4"The End of Time – Part One"Euros LynRussell T Davies25 December 2009 (2009-12-25)4.1712.0487
202b5"The End of Time – Part Two"Euros LynRussell T Davies1 January 2010 (2010-01-01)4.1812.2789

Eleventh Doctor

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The Eleventh Doctor was portrayed by Matt Smith. Steven Moffat took over as showrunner from the fifth series, swapping the melodramatic stories of his predecessor for ones involving convoluted time travel, which remained a staple for the entirety of Smith's tenure as the Doctor.[16][17] Smith retained the role until the Christmas special The Time of the Doctor, with the Doctor dying due to old age and fatigue from a centuries-long war.[18]

Series 5 (2010)

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This series introduced Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill as companions Amy Pond and Rory Williams respectively, and deals with cracks spreading throughout time and space and erasing things and the opening of the Pandorica which are mentioned in various episodes.

No.
story
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
UK viewers
(millions) [10]
AI[11]
2031"The Eleventh Hour"Adam SmithSteven Moffat3 April 2010 (2010-04-03)1.110.0986
2042"The Beast Below"Andrew GunnSteven Moffat10 April 2010 (2010-04-10)1.28.4286
2053"Victory of the Daleks"Andrew GunnMark Gatiss17 April 2010 (2010-04-17)1.38.2184
206a4"The Time of Angels"Adam SmithSteven Moffat24 April 2010 (2010-04-24)1.48.5987
206b5"Flesh and Stone"Adam SmithSteven Moffat1 May 2010 (2010-05-01)1.58.5086
2076"The Vampires of Venice"Jonny CampbellToby Whithouse8 May 2010 (2010-05-08)1.67.6886
2087"Amy's Choice"Catherine MorsheadSimon Nye15 May 2010 (2010-05-15)1.77.5584
209a8"The Hungry Earth"Ashley WayChris Chibnall22 May 2010 (2010-05-22)1.86.4986
209b9"Cold Blood"Ashley WayChris Chibnall29 May 2010 (2010-05-29)1.97.4985
21010"Vincent and the Doctor"Jonny CampbellRichard Curtis5 June 2010 (2010-06-05)1.106.7686
21111"The Lodger"Catherine MorsheadGareth Roberts12 June 2010 (2010-06-12)1.116.4487
212a12"The Pandorica Opens"Toby HaynesSteven Moffat19 June 2010 (2010-06-19)1.127.5788
212b13"The Big Bang"Toby HaynesSteven Moffat26 June 2010 (2010-06-26)1.136.7089

Series 6 (2011)

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This series centres on River Song's relation to the Doctor, her true identity, the Doctor's "death" and discovering what the Silence is. The original transmission of series 6 was split into two parts, with the first seven episodes airing April to June 2011 and the final six from late August to October 2011.

No.
story
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
UK viewers
(millions) [10]
AI[11]
Special
213"A Christmas Carol"Toby HaynesSteven Moffat25 December 2010 (2010-12-25)2.X12.1183
Part 1
214a1"The Impossible Astronaut"Toby HaynesSteven Moffat23 April 2011 (2011-04-23)2.18.8688
214b2"Day of the Moon"Toby HaynesSteven Moffat30 April 2011 (2011-04-30)2.27.3087
2153"The Curse of the Black Spot"Jeremy WebbStephen Thompson7 May 2011 (2011-05-07)2.97.8586
2164"The Doctor's Wife"Richard ClarkNeil Gaiman14 May 2011 (2011-05-14)2.37.9787
217a5"The Rebel Flesh"Julian SimpsonMatthew Graham21 May 2011 (2011-05-21)2.57.3585
217b6"The Almost People"Julian SimpsonMatthew Graham28 May 2011 (2011-05-28)2.66.7286
2187"A Good Man Goes to War"Peter HoarSteven Moffat4 June 2011 (2011-06-04)2.77.5188
Part 2
2198"Let's Kill Hitler"Richard SeniorSteven Moffat27 August 2011 (2011-08-27)2.88.1085
2209"Night Terrors"Richard ClarkMark Gatiss3 September 2011 (2011-09-03)2.47.0786
22110"The Girl Who Waited"Nick HurranTom MacRae10 September 2011 (2011-09-10)2.107.6085
22211"The God Complex"Nick HurranToby Whithouse17 September 2011 (2011-09-17)2.116.7786
22312"Closing Time"Steve HughesGareth Roberts24 September 2011 (2011-09-24)2.126.9386
22413"The Wedding of River Song"Jeremy WebbSteven Moffat1 October 2011 (2011-10-01)2.137.6786

Series 7 (2012–2013)

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Series 7 started with five episodes and a Christmas special in late 2012, followed by eight episodes in 2013. It dealt with the exit of the Ponds midway through the series in The Angels Take Manhattan, the Great Intelligence and the mystery of the new companion Clara Oswald portrayed by Jenna Coleman.

No.
story
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [10]
AI[11]
Special (2011)
225"The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe"Farren BlackburnSteven Moffat25 December 2011 (2011-12-25)10.7784
Part 1
2261"Asylum of the Daleks"Nick HurranSteven Moffat1 September 2012 (2012-09-01)8.3389
2272"Dinosaurs on a Spaceship"Saul MetzsteinChris Chibnall8 September 2012 (2012-09-08)7.5787
2283"A Town Called Mercy"Saul MetzsteinToby Whithouse15 September 2012 (2012-09-15)8.4285
2294"The Power of Three"Douglas MackinnonChris Chibnall22 September 2012 (2012-09-22)7.6787
2305"The Angels Take Manhattan"Nick HurranSteven Moffat29 September 2012 (2012-09-29)7.8288
Special (2012)
231"The Snowmen"Saul MetzsteinSteven Moffat25 December 2012 (2012-12-25)9.8787
Part 2
2326"The Bells of Saint John"Colm McCarthySteven Moffat30 March 2013 (2013-03-30)8.4487
2337"The Rings of Akhaten"Farren BlackburnNeil Cross6 April 2013 (2013-04-06)7.4584
2348"Cold War"Douglas MackinnonMark Gatiss13 April 2013 (2013-04-13)7.3784
2359"Hide"Jamie PayneNeil Cross20 April 2013 (2013-04-20)6.6185
23610"Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS"Mat KingStephen Thompson27 April 2013 (2013-04-27)6.5085
23711"The Crimson Horror"Saul MetzsteinMark Gatiss4 May 2013 (2013-05-04)6.4785
23812"Nightmare in Silver"Stephen WoolfendenNeil Gaiman11 May 2013 (2013-05-11)6.6484
23913"The Name of the Doctor"Saul MetzsteinSteven Moffat18 May 2013 (2013-05-18)7.4588

Specials (2013)

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The specials focus on various incarnations of the Doctor, including the return of the Tenth Doctor and the reveal of the War Doctor and his actions during the Time War. Alongside the two specials there was a bonus short titled "The Night of the Doctor", which depicted Paul McGann's Eighth Doctor's final moments, and his regeneration into John Hurt's War Doctor.

No.
story
No.
special
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [10]
AI[11]
2401"The Day of the Doctor"Nick HurranSteven Moffat23 November 2013 (2013-11-23)12.8088
2412"The Time of the Doctor"Jamie PayneSteven Moffat25 December 2013 (2013-12-25)11.1483

Twelfth Doctor

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The Twelfth Doctor was portrayed by Peter Capaldi. His tenure saw a reduction of total episodes per series from thirteen to twelve. His Doctor was characterised by his grappling with the question of the meaning of goodness and whether he is himself a good man. Capaldi played the role until the Christmas special Twice Upon a Time, trying to save a ship of strangers from Cybermen, "without hope, without witness, without reward".

Series 8 (2014)

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The series dealt with the mystery identity of the character "Missy", the mystery around "The Promised Land", and the dynamic of The Doctor and Clara and how it was affected by his regeneration.

No.
story
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [10]
AI[11]
2421"Deep Breath"Ben WheatleySteven Moffat23 August 2014 (2014-08-23)9.1782
2432"Into the Dalek"Ben WheatleyPhil Ford and Steven Moffat30 August 2014 (2014-08-30)7.2984
2443"Robot of Sherwood"Paul MurphyMark Gatiss6 September 2014 (2014-09-06)7.2882
2454"Listen"Douglas MackinnonSteven Moffat13 September 2014 (2014-09-13)7.0182
2465"Time Heist"Douglas MackinnonStephen Thompson and Steven Moffat20 September 2014 (2014-09-20)6.9984
2476"The Caretaker"Paul MurphyGareth Roberts and Steven Moffat27 September 2014 (2014-09-27)6.8283
2487"Kill the Moon"Paul WilmshurstPeter Harness4 October 2014 (2014-10-04)6.9182
2498"Mummy on the Orient Express"Paul WilmshurstJamie Mathieson11 October 2014 (2014-10-11)7.1185
2509"Flatline"Douglas MackinnonJamie Mathieson18 October 2014 (2014-10-18)6.7185
25110"In the Forest of the Night"Sheree FolksonFrank Cottrell-Boyce25 October 2014 (2014-10-25)6.9283
252a 11"Dark Water"Rachel TalalaySteven Moffat1 November 2014 (2014-11-01)7.3485
252b12"Death in Heaven"Rachel TalalaySteven Moffat8 November 2014 (2014-11-08)7.6083

Series 9 (2015)

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The series consisted almost exclusively of two-parters, and dealt with the consequences of the changing dynamics of Doctor and Clara's relationship, which led to her departure in the finale Hell Bent, and the prophecy of the Hybrid.

No.
story
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [10]
AI[11]
Special (2014)
253"Last Christmas"Paul WilmshurstSteven Moffat25 December 2014 (2014-12-25)8.2882
Series
254a1"The Magician's Apprentice"Hettie MacDonaldSteven Moffat19 September 2015 (2015-09-19)6.5484
254b2"The Witch's Familiar"Hettie MacDonaldSteven Moffat26 September 2015 (2015-09-26)5.7183
255a3"Under the Lake"Daniel O'HaraToby Whithouse3 October 2015 (2015-10-03)5.6384
255b4"Before the Flood"Daniel O'HaraToby Whithouse10 October 2015 (2015-10-10)6.0583
2565"The Girl Who Died"Ed BazalgetteJamie Mathieson and Steven Moffat17 October 2015 (2015-10-17)6.5682
2576"The Woman Who Lived"Ed BazalgetteCatherine Tregenna24 October 2015 (2015-10-24)6.1181
258a7"The Zygon Invasion"Daniel NettheimPeter Harness31 October 2015 (2015-10-31)5.7682
258b8"The Zygon Inversion"Daniel NettheimPeter Harness and Steven Moffat7 November 2015 (2015-11-07)6.0384
2599"Sleep No More"Justin MolotnikovMark Gatiss14 November 2015 (2015-11-14)5.6178
26010"Face the Raven"Justin MolotnikovSarah Dollard21 November 2015 (2015-11-21)6.0584
26111"Heaven Sent"Rachel TalalaySteven Moffat28 November 2015 (2015-11-28)6.1980
26212"Hell Bent"Rachel TalalaySteven Moffat5 December 2015 (2015-12-05)6.1782
Special (2015)
263"The Husbands of River Song"Douglas MackinnonSteven Moffat25 December 2015 (2015-12-25)7.6982

Series 10 (2017)

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The series dealt with the mystery of the vault and the Doctor's oath, and later exploring the Doctor and Missy's relationship, and the possibility of Missy "turning good". This season introduces Pearl Mackie and Matt Lucas as the Doctor's new companions Bill Potts and Nardole respectively, both of whom depart in the finale "The Doctor Falls".

No.
story
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [19]
AI[19]
Special (2016)
264"The Return of Doctor Mysterio"Ed BazalgetteSteven Moffat25 December 2016 (2016-12-25)7.8382
Series
2651"The Pilot"Lawrence GoughSteven Moffat15 April 2017 (2017-04-15)6.6883
2662"Smile"Lawrence GoughFrank Cottrell-Boyce22 April 2017 (2017-04-22)5.9883
2673"Thin Ice"Bill AndersonSarah Dollard29 April 2017 (2017-04-29)5.6184
2684"Knock Knock"Bill AndersonMike Bartlett6 May 2017 (2017-05-06)5.7383
2695"Oxygen"Charles PalmerJamie Mathieson13 May 2017 (2017-05-13)5.2783
2706"Extremis"Daniel NettheimSteven Moffat20 May 2017 (2017-05-20)5.5382
2717"The Pyramid at the End of the World"Daniel NettheimPeter Harness and Steven Moffat27 May 2017 (2017-05-27)5.7982
2728"The Lie of the Land"Wayne YipToby Whithouse3 June 2017 (2017-06-03)4.8282
2739"Empress of Mars"Wayne YipMark Gatiss10 June 2017 (2017-06-10)5.0283
27410"The Eaters of Light"Charles PalmerRona Munro17 June 2017 (2017-06-17)4.7381
275a11"World Enough and Time"Rachel TalalaySteven Moffat24 June 2017 (2017-06-24)5.0085
275b12"The Doctor Falls"Rachel TalalaySteven Moffat1 July 2017 (2017-07-01)5.3083
Special (2017)
276"Twice Upon a Time"Rachel TalalaySteven Moffat25 December 2017 (2017-12-25)7.9281

Thirteenth Doctor

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The Thirteenth Doctor was portrayed by Jodie Whittaker,[20] becoming the first woman to play the role, with Chris Chibnall taking over as showrunner from the eleventh series onwards, and the reduction of episodes from twelve to ten. They both departed in the special The Power of the Doctor, with the Doctor dying at the hands of the Master.

Series 11 (2018)

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The series introduced Mandip Gill, Bradley Walsh and Tosin Cole as the new companions Yasmin Khan, Graham O'Brien and Ryan Sinclair respectively. The time slot was changed to Sunday. For the first time in the revived series, no enemies from the previous seasons returned.

No.
story
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [21]
AI[11]
2771"The Woman Who Fell to Earth"Jamie ChildsChris Chibnall7 October 2018 (2018-10-07)10.9683
2782"The Ghost Monument"Mark TonderaiChris Chibnall14 October 2018 (2018-10-14)9.0082
2793"Rosa"Mark TonderaiMalorie Blackman and Chris Chibnall21 October 2018 (2018-10-21)8.4183
2804"Arachnids in the UK"Sallie AprahamianChris Chibnall28 October 2018 (2018-10-28)8.2283
2815"The Tsuranga Conundrum"Jennifer PerrottChris Chibnall4 November 2018 (2018-11-04)7.7679
2826"Demons of the Punjab"Jamie ChildsVinay Patel11 November 2018 (2018-11-11)7.4880
2837"Kerblam!"Jennifer PerrottPete McTighe18 November 2018 (2018-11-18)7.4681
2848"The Witchfinders"Sallie AprahamianJoy Wilkinson25 November 2018 (2018-11-25)7.2181
2859"It Takes You Away"Jamie ChildsEd Hime2 December 2018 (2018-12-02)6.4280
28610"The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos"Jamie ChildsChris Chibnall9 December 2018 (2018-12-09)6.6579
Special
287"Resolution"Wayne YipChris Chibnall1 January 2019 (2019-01-01)7.1380

Series 12 (2020)

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This series dealt with a new incarnation of the Master, the return of Jack Harkness, the appearance of an unknown incarnation of the Doctor who existed at some point before the Time War, and the "Lone Cyberman", while following the destruction of Gallifrey and the secret of the Timeless Child. The special marked the last regular appearance of Graham and Ryan.

No.
story
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [21]
AI[11]
288a1"Spyfall, Part 1"Jamie Magnus StoneChris Chibnall1 January 2020 (2020-01-01)6.8982
288b2"Spyfall, Part 2"Lee Haven JonesChris Chibnall5 January 2020 (2020-01-05)6.0782
2893"Orphan 55"Lee Haven JonesEd Hime12 January 2020 (2020-01-12)5.3877
2904"Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror"Nida ManzoorNina Metivier19 January 2020 (2020-01-19)5.2079
2915"Fugitive of the Judoon"Nida ManzoorVinay Patel and Chris Chibnall26 January 2020 (2020-01-26)5.5783
2926"Praxeus"Jamie Magnus StonePete McTighe and Chris Chibnall2 February 2020 (2020-02-02)5.2278
2937"Can You Hear Me?"Emma SullivanCharlene James and Chris Chibnall9 February 2020 (2020-02-09)4.9078
2948"The Haunting of Villa Diodati"Emma SullivanMaxine Alderton16 February 2020 (2020-02-16)5.0780
295a9"Ascension of the Cybermen"Jamie Magnus StoneChris Chibnall23 February 2020 (2020-02-23)4.9981
295b10"The Timeless Children"Jamie Magnus StoneChris Chibnall1 March 2020 (2020-03-01)4.6982
Special
296"Revolution of the Daleks"Lee Haven JonesChris Chibnall1 January 2021 (2021-01-01)6.3679

Series 13 (2021)

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Series 13 consisted of a single story arc, subtitled Flux, consisting of six episodes. It involved a universe-ending anomaly, called the "Flux", which brought several enemies together in an attempt to take over Earth and the destruction of large parts of the universe.[22][23] John Bishop joined the series as new companion Dan.

No.
story
No. in
series
Title [a]Directed byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [21]
AI[24]
297a1"The Halloween Apocalypse"Jamie Magnus StoneChris Chibnall31 October 2021 (2021-10-31)5.8176
297b2"War of the Sontarans"Jamie Magnus StoneChris Chibnall7 November 2021 (2021-11-07)5.1377
297c3"Once, Upon Time"Azhur SaleemChris Chibnall14 November 2021 (2021-11-14)4.7075
297d4"Village of the Angels"Jamie Magnus StoneChris Chibnall and Maxine Alderton21 November 2021 (2021-11-21)4.5779
297e5"Survivors of the Flux"Azhur SaleemChris Chibnall28 November 2021 (2021-11-28)4.8377
297f6"The Vanquishers"Azhur SaleemChris Chibnall5 December 2021 (2021-12-05)4.6476

Specials (2022)

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The specials loosely continued from Flux, the last celebrating the BBC's centenary, and dealt with Yaz and the Doctor's relationship and the lead up to the Thirteenth Doctor's regeneration, with both Yaz and Dan departing in the finale.

No.
story
No.
special
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [21]
AI[11]
2981"Eve of the Daleks"Annetta LauferChris Chibnall1 January 2022 (2022-01-01)4.4077
2992"Legend of the Sea Devils"Haolu WangElla Road and Chris Chibnall17 April 2022 (2022-04-17)3.4776
3003"The Power of the Doctor"Jamie Magnus StoneChris Chibnall23 October 2022 (2022-10-23)5.3082

Fourteenth Doctor

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The Fourteenth Doctor was portrayed by David Tennant, who previously portrayed the Tenth Doctor.[25] Russell T Davies returned as showrunner, partnering with Bad Wolf to co-produce and Disney+ regarding distribution outside the UK to celebrate the 60th anniversary and "series beyond".[26]

Specials (2023)

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These specials celebrated Doctor Who's 60th anniversary. They reunited the Doctor with Donna Noble; introduced The Meep on-screen; involved thwarting a threat at the universe's edge; re-introduced The Toymaker; and concluded with the Fourteenth Doctor's unique bi-generation.

No.
story
No.
special
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [21]
AI[11]
3011"The Star Beast"Rachel TalalayRussell T Davies, from a story by Pat Mills and Dave Gibbons25 November 2023 (2023-11-25)7.6184
3022"Wild Blue Yonder"Tom KingsleyRussell T Davies2 December 2023 (2023-12-02)7.1483
3033"The Giggle"Chanya ButtonRussell T Davies9 December 2023 (2023-12-09)6.8585

Fifteenth Doctor

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The Fifteenth Doctor is portrayed by Ncuti Gatwa and is the current Doctor.[27][28][25] His tenure saw the reduction of episodes from ten to eight and is the first series to be distributed worldwide outside the UK by Disney+.

Series 14 (2024)

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The Christmas special introduced Millie Gibson as companion Ruby Sunday, a foundling experiencing luck caused by the antics of goblins, while the following season centred around the mystery of Ruby's birth, as well as a mysterious woman who appeared in different forms within each of the Doctor and Ruby's adventures. The series released at midnight on BBC iPlayer in the UK, with the BBC broadcast happening the following Saturday evening.[29]

Doctor Who series 14 episodes
No.
story
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date [b]UK viewers
(millions) [21]
Special
304"The Church on Ruby Road"Mark TonderaiRussell T Davies25 December 2023 (2023-12-25)7.49
Series
3051"Space Babies"Julie Anne RobinsonRussell T Davies11 May 2024 (2024-05-11)4.01
3062"The Devil's Chord"Ben ChessellRussell T Davies11 May 2024 (2024-05-11)3.91
3073"Boom"Julie Anne RobinsonSteven Moffat18 May 2024 (2024-05-18)3.58
3084"73 Yards"Dylan Holmes WilliamsRussell T Davies25 May 2024 (2024-05-25)4.06
3095"Dot and Bubble"Dylan Holmes WilliamsRussell T Davies1 June 2024 (2024-06-01)3.38
3106"Rogue"Ben ChessellKate Herron and Briony Redman8 June 2024 (2024-06-08)3.52
311a7"The Legend of Ruby Sunday"Jamie DonoughueRussell T Davies15 June 2024 (2024-06-15)3.50
311b8"Empire of Death"Jamie DonoughueRussell T Davies22 June 2024 (2024-06-22)3.69

Series 15

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A Christmas special will air on 25 December 2024, followed by the eight-episode fifteenth series in 2025.[6] Millie Gibson is expected to return as Ruby Sunday, alongside new companion, Belinda Chandra, played by Varada Sethu.[31] Filming occurred between 23 October 2023 and 25 May 2024.[32]

No.
story
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
Special
312"Joy to the World"[33]Alex PillaiSteven Moffat25 December 2024 (2024-12-25)[34]TBD

Series 16

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A third series with Davies as showrunner was being planned by November 2023.[2] Gatwa commented on returning in April 2024.[35] By that June, Davies was working on the fourth script for the series, despite it not yet being commissioned, with recording expected to begin in early 2025, and an expected release within 2026.[36]

See also

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References

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Notes

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  1. ^ These titles are normally prefixed with their respective "Chapter" number, or with the overall serial title "Flux".
  2. ^ Episodes for the fourteenth series released simultaneously at midnight BST in the United Kingdom on BBC iPlayer (followed by a 7pm BBC broadcast the same day), and at 7pm ET the day prior in the United States on Disney+.[30]

Citations

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  1. ^ "Dr Who 'longest-running sci-fi'". BBC News. 28 September 2006. Retrieved 15 December 2007.
  2. ^ a b Laford, Andrea (1 November 2023). "Russell T Davies reveals plans for a third and fourth new series of Doctor Who". CultBox. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Stories – Doctor Who". DoctorWho.TV. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  4. ^ Howe, David J.; Walker, Stephen James (2003) [1998]. "The Trial of a Time Lord: 1–4 : Details". Doctor Who: The Television Companion (Doctor Who website). BBC. Retrieved 27 October 2007.
  5. ^ Cornell, Paul; Day, Martin; Topping, Keith (1995). "The Five Doctors: Details". Doctor Who: The Discontinuity Guide. BBC Doctor Who website. Retrieved 27 October 2007.
  6. ^ a b c Laford, Andrea (7 December 2022). "Russell T Davies reveals series plans to Doctor Who Magazine". CultBox. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  7. ^ Kanter, Jake (29 July 2021). "'Doctor Who': BBC Confirms Jodie Whittaker & Chris Chibnall Are Leaving The Iconic Sci-Fi Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  8. ^ "New Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa can 'finally breathe'". The Independent. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  9. ^ Mellor, Louisa (14 May 2024). "Steven Moffat Confirms He's Written Doctor Who 2024 Christmas Special "Joy to the World"". Den of Geek. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Weekly Top 30 Programmes". Barb Audiences. Retrieved 19 August 2024. (No permanent link available. Search for relevant dates.)
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Ratings Guide". Doctor Who News. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  12. ^ Fullerton, Huw (18 June 2019). "David Tennant: I was worried my Doctor wouldn't make it past his first regeneration scene". Radio Times. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  13. ^ Pixley, Andrew (9 November 2006). "Series Two Companion". Doctor Who Magazine. No. 14 – Special Edition. pp. 21, 29, 35, 42, 50, 61, 69, 79, 85, 91, 101.
  14. ^ "BBC wins Christmas TV ratings war". BBC News. 26 December 2005. Archived from the original on 31 August 2006. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  15. ^ Pixley, Andrew (8 July 2010). "The Specials Companion". Doctor Who Magazine. No. 25 – Special Edition. pp. 27, 45, 61, 97.
  16. ^ Craig, David (9 September 2024). "Steven Moffat: 'I was vilified endlessly as Doctor Who showrunner' | Radio Times". Radio Times. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  17. ^ Whitbrook, James (20 May 2024). "Doctor Who's New Era Just Got Its First Banger". Gizmodo. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  18. ^ Joest, Mick (29 June 2020). "Doctor Who: How Each Doctor Has Died So Far". Cinemablend. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  19. ^ a b
    • Ainsworth, John, ed. (2018). "The Return of Doctor Mysterio and The Pilot". Doctor Who: The Complete History. 85. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks: 50, 114.
    • Wright, Mark, ed. (2018). "Smile, Thin Ice and Knock Knock". Doctor Who: The Complete History. 86. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks: 39, 78, 122.
    • Ainsworth, John, ed. (2018). "Oxygen, Extremis and The Pyramid at the End of the World". Doctor Who: The Complete History. 87. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks: 50, 95, 141.
    • Ainsworth, John (2019). Wright, Mark (ed.). "The Lie of the Land, Empress of Mars and The Eaters of Light". Doctor Who: The Complete History. 88. Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks: 41, 89, 130.
    • Ainsworth, John (2019). Wright, Mark (ed.). "World Enough and Time / The Doctor Falls and Twice Upon a Time". Doctor Who: The Complete History. 89 (276). Panini Comics, Hachette Partworks: 60, 122.
  20. ^ Turner, Camilla (16 July 2017). "Doctor Who: Jodie Whittaker becomes 13th Time Lord, urging fans 'not to be scared by my gender'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  21. ^ a b c d e f "Weekly Top 50 Programmes". Barb Audiences. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2024. (No permanent link available. Search for relevant dates.) Cite error: The named reference "barb" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  22. ^ Jeffery, Morgan (29 July 2021). "Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall confirmed to leave Doctor Who in 2022". Radio Times. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  23. ^ Fullerton, Huw (9 October 2021). "Doctor Who announces Halloween air date for season 13". Radio Times. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  24. ^ Hearn, Marcus (30 December 2021). "The 2022 Yearbook". Doctor Who Magazine. No. 59 – Special Edition. pp. 14, 26, 40, 50, 62, 70. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Doctor Who: Here they come..." BBC. 23 October 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  26. ^ "Russell T Davies to return as Doctor Who showrunner". Doctor Who. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  27. ^ Fullerton, Huw (8 May 2022). "Ncuti Gatwa announced as the next Doctor in Doctor Who". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  28. ^ "Ncuti Gatwa is the Doctor". Doctor Who. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  29. ^ "'Doctor Who' Starring Ncuti Gatwa Reveals May Premiere Date". Variety. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  30. ^ Knight, Lewis; Griffin, Louise (31 March 2024). "Doctor Who season 14: Release date, trailers, episodes, and latest news". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Varada Sethu joins the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday in Season Two".
  32. ^ Mellor, Louisa (24 June 2024). "What's Next for Doctor Who? 2024 Christmas Special, Series 15 Rumours, & Beyond". Den of Geek. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  33. ^ Laford, Andrea (14 May 2024). "Steven Moffat confirms he penned 2024 Doctor Who Christmas special". CultBox. Archived from the original on 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  34. ^ Mellor, Louisa (14 May 2024). "Steven Moffat Confirms He's Written Doctor Who 2024 Christmas Special "Joy to the World"". Den of Geek. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  35. ^ Laford, Andrea (18 April 2024). "Ncuti Gatwa comments suggest third Doctor Who series for the actor". CultBox. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  36. ^ Laford, Andrea (11 June 2024). "Doctor Who showrunner shares production status on a third series". CultBox. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
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