The world’s longest running science fiction series, Doctor Who is certainly no stranger to the concept of change, but the venerable kids’ TV perennial has certainly gone through some striking transformations of late. New Doctor, new companions, a new (well, returning) show runner, and a new destination if you want to catch up with the latest adventures of everyone’s favourite renegade Time Lord.
Yes, thanks to a new international distribution deal, Doctor Who is streaming in New Zealand (and the rest of the world apart from the UK and Ireland) exclusively on Disney+ from May 11.
Interestingly, the new episodes hit at 7pm USEST, which translates to midnight in the UK, which is an odd way to treat the series’ home country, but there you go.
This fresh batch of eight episodes sees the 15th Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education), firmly take his place behind the TARDIS’… wheel? Whatever it has, under the auspices of returning showrunner Russell T. Davies, who is replacing the outgoing Chris Chibnall. Gatwa first played the role in the 60th Anniversary Special episode, “The Giggle”, alongside 14th Doctor David Tennant, who was also the 10th Doctor.
Also returning is Millie Gibson as the new companion Ruby Sunday, but apparently she’s not sticking around for long, with Varada Sethu (Andor) taking over as the Doctor’s dogsbody, although no further details about her character have been forthcoming. Guest stars this season include Jonathan Groff, Indira Varma, Aneurin Barnard, Anita Dobson, Michelle Greenidge, Jinkx Monsoon, Lenny Rush, Yasmin Finney and Bonnie Langford.
Also back in the Gallifreyan Fold is long time Doctor Who show runner and writer Steven Moffat, which should excite and anger fans in roughly equal proportion. He’s on script duties for the as-yet-untitled third episode.
Other than that, details are scant. Will there be a Dalek or two? Probably, and perhaps the odd Cyberman putting in an appearance. You know the drill.
