TV Lifespans: Beyond Doctor Who season 11, how long does BBC institution have?
We do think that on paper, the BBC institution is entering season 11 better than they’ve been in years. While it may be too early to know whether or not Jodie Whittaker is going to succeed as a Doctor, the publicity surrounding her appearance is tremendous. This is the sort of buzz that many shows would kill for and it is going to allow there to be a potential pool of viewers that the series has never had before. While we imagine that there will be a few people who do not give Whittaker a chance, the positives far outweigh the negatives here when it comes to the future of the show.
What’s probably being discounted at the moment is the presence of new showrunner Chris Chibnall, a man who comes from an acclaimed series in Broadchurch and has some big, ambitious plans for what Doctor Who can be. There are many changes likely going that we don’t even know about — this will still be the same show, but with a new style and a fresh coat of paint. If some of these twists work, they could help to extend the life of the series for another five or six years. With Doctor Who, what you have to almost-constantly do is figure out a way to balance out how to court new viewers while, at the same time, appeal to the base that you already have. That is something that is so much easier said than done.
One of the things that seems clear is that based on overseas licenses, the BBC is planning ahead for Doctor Who to air for many more years. If things somehow fall apart during season 11, that run could be cut short. We feel like a season 12 is almost a given — even if season 11 is a disaster (not that we think it will be), there will likely be an opportunity given to try and reboot things and spin them back around in a positive direction.
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The BBC has a lot invested in the future of Doctor Who, and unlikely other shows discussed in this CarterMatt article series, it really could last however long the powers that be want. We’d say that the audience is a key component in that, but perhaps even more than that you have to take into consideration the creative. They’re the ones who have the responsibility to ensure that viewers continue to watch.
When looking past Doctor Who season 11, how long do you think that the series has? Share now in the comments! Meanwhile, you can also like CarterMatt on Facebook to get more insight when it comes to the series. (Photo: BBC.)