Doctor Who's New Era is a Joyous World of Experimentation and Expression

There’s always a certain amount of trepidation when it comes to a new Doctor taking the helm of this iconic sci-fi series. The variety in each Doctor’s performance, attitude, and energy drag the show in wildly different directions, and that goes double for Season 1 of this new era. Not only do we have a new star in the leading role, but returning showrunner Russell T Davies has promised to take the show into brand-new territory, borrowing from other genres the Whoniverse typically stays away from.

We got a good idea of what that might look like with the Christmas Special, as the goblin villains were far more in the realm of fantasy than the show typically leans. Plus, we got ourselves a peppy musical number in the middle, an attitude that very much carries into the full series.

Having watched the first two episodes of the new series – Space Babies and The Devil’s Chord – I can say with confidence that Ncuti Gatwa is an absolute joy to watch. He bounces around the screen with an energy no Doctor has ever brought.

Doctors like David Tennant and Matt Smith were often jovial, yet they carried a certain level of weariness with them – past trauma they could never confront – but the new Fifteenth Doctor finally feels absolved of that. Last year’s anniversary specials ended with the Doctor finally coming to terms with their past, and Ncuti has that sense of a person with newfound freedom in their soul. That translates into a show that feels renewed, just looking to have some fun with a series of brisk yet gripping adventures that show you the lighter side of the universe.

That said, the adventures still have their share of memorable villains. Jinkx Monsoon’s performance as “The Maestro” is an especially spectacular experience. Their movements and melodic manner of speaking will put a smile on your face, yet you’ll still be mildly terrified as their plan unfolds.

Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday is yet another highlight. As the Doctor’s new companion, she bounces off Ncuti perfectly. Ruby is this wonderfully excitable woman who truly embraces the wonder and joy that comes with traveling alongside the Doctor. More than any companion I can think of from the past, she feels like she’s having such a fun time in every scene, and that smile is infectious. What fans loved so much about the Tenth Doctor and Donna’s dynamic is how they simply felt like best friends running around together – a vibe that 15 and Ruby absolutely nail.

As for the new direction the plots take, it’s a bold step forward and one that may not be to everyone’s tastes, but it’s undoubtedly to mine. “A spaceship run by intelligent babies” is an inherently silly and cartoonish concept – one that many fans may immediately turn their noses up at – but when you watch it play out, it wins you over with grounded characters and a thrilling plot, which is exactly what I always look for in any episode of Doctor Who.

That’s what I feel needs the most emphasis. Yes, this series takes the show to new territory and experiments with the format and genre like never before, but it is still undeniably Doctor Who at its core. It still provides me with everything I’ve always loved about the show, and I cannot wait to see where the rest of the series takes us.

The first two episodes of Doctor Who Season 1, Space Babies and The Devil’s Chord, release on BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ in the rest of the world at 7pm ET on Friday, May 10, 2024/midnight BST on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Both episodes will also be airing back-to-back on BBC One in the UK on Saturday evening.