It took 15 years to realize this idea: thanks to special effects, this cult SF series will have a special episode

Culture news It took 15 years to realize this idea: thanks to special effects, this cult SF series will have a special episode

Subscribe to Disney+

The regeneration of a historical series

When we think of science fiction, we often think of particularly serious productions that use parallel universes, different galaxies and uncertain futures to critique our own world or to tell dramatic stories. For example, we could cite Dunebut also Blade Runner, Interstellar or even Matrix, all of which have also suffered from the reputation of being “inaccessible” that science fiction works can often carry. However, certain productions choose to take everything in the opposite direction and make science fiction a totally crazy genre, without losing its analytical side of society. Among the best known in this category, we obviously find the British series Doctor Who.

Originally broadcast since 1963 on the BBC, the Doctor Who series is one of the pillars of the genre and can even boast of being the longest science fiction series in history with a total of 874 episodes. Of course, as is often the case with this type of series, new viewers are not forced to start from the beginning if they want to start watching Doctor Who. For a long time, fans advised resuming from the “second series” broadcast from 2005 with Christopher Eccleston in the role of the Doctor. During the latter, some famous actors like David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi Or Jodie Whittaker then took turns to play the main role.

From the May 11, 2024however, the series should officiate a third start marked by a reset of the seasons. So, in a few days, the new episodes of Doctor Who will be considered part of the Season 1 of this third version. If you have never managed to delve into this crazy and exciting universe, this is perhaps the opportunity to do so.

The new season should work harder

It is on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the saga that Doctor Who is relaunching a new beginning. So, in addition to returning to Season 1 and changing the main actor to move to Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education), Doctor Who will also be broadcast directly on Disney+. While the special effects in this series have always been a bit kitsch and objectively cheap, the quality of the production could change drastically. In any case, this is what the historical showrunner seems to be insinuating Russell T Daviesat the head of this new version. About the upcoming episode 5 of season 1, he says:

Episode 5… I remember talking to Steven Moffat about this idea (one of the former showrunners, editor’s note.) in 2010. We couldn’t have afforded it. It was just a vague idea, “oh we could do this or that” but it never went further. We needed more money. When you see episode 5 you will say to yourself “I see what you mean”.

If no official communication has been made about the precise budget for the episodes of this new version of Doctor Who, everything therefore suggests that the funds have been greatly increased. Certainly a courtesy on the part of Disney, which would like to make the British series a real spearhead of its SVOD platform. Still regarding this famous episode 5, Russell T Davies also revealed that it included “more visual effects than any other episode”. The showrunner also spoke about the season finale, which he called a “the most moving of the entire saga”. One thing is certain, this new Doctor Who series sells dreams. You just have to wait until May 11 to discover it.