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Doctor Who’s Ratings Plummet: Ncuti Gatwa’s Return Sparks Controversy and Fan Backlash

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In a surprising development, the latest episode of Doctor Who, premiering during its new series, saw its lowest-ever overnight viewership figures on Saturday. These low ratings have sparked speculation about the potential departure of lead actor Ncuti Gatwa.

The popular science fiction series came back for another run during the prime-time slot on a Saturday evening, however, it managed to draw in just two million viewers. In this season, Varada Sethu takes on the role of Ncuti’s latest co-star, named Belinda Chandra.

2.9 million people tuned in to watch the finale of the series, which was outperformed by the Gladiators’ performance in the reality competition.

Although Doctor Who has maintained a dedicated fanbase since its debut in 1963, a common sentiment among these fans is that the decline in viewership might be attributed to episodes being made available on BBC iPlayer at an earlier time.

This doesn’t phase me since a large number of individuals would have already viewed it on BBC iPlayer during the day. The ratings from that time frame are likely what matters most, I believe.

Since it’s available on iPlayer starting in the morning, that’s probably where people are watching it; This is what occurs when you inexplicably make it available on iPlayer prematurely.

Given that the program is simultaneously released on iPlayer and BBC One, reporting only the overnight figures can appear biased, as the 7-day/28-day release that includes iPlayer viewership doesn’t receive as much attention in the media.

However, this isn’t a new situation for the BBC show; last year, it was revealed that the average overnight viewership of all eight episodes from the 14th series was around two million viewers as well.

At the given time, a representative from BBC stated that ratings recorded during the night don’t necessarily reflect the overall appeal or popularity of a television program.

They shared with The Times: ‘Overnight viewership figures no longer accurately represent the total audience for dramas in an era where content can be watched on-demand.’

The latest season of Doctor Who debuted on iPlayer about 24 hours prior to the regular broadcast, and so far, almost six million viewers have watched the first episode with more still tuning in.

‘Among the most-watched shows on iPlayer this year is Doctor Who, which also happens to be the BBC’s leading drama series among viewers under 35. This means that it ranks as one of the most popular programs in its category across all streaming platforms and traditional broadcast networks.’

Fans of Doctor Who criticized a perceived ‘overused’ and ‘inserted haphazardly’ plot twist in the debut episode of the latest season, as the program faces ongoing criticism for its ‘progressive’ narratives and potential cancellations.

Following the broadcast of the show on BBC iPlayer, viewers expressed significant disappointment, as they heavily criticized the unexpected plot twist that felt forced or added late in the storyline.

In the latest season of Doctor Who, it began with The Robot Revolution storyline, introducing the new travel companion Belinda Chandra, portrayed by Varada Sethu. This new character finds herself facing off against Alan Budd, who was once her fiancé but has since become a dictator. (Jonny Green plays this role.)

Following Belinda’s rejection of his proposal, Alan harnessed advancements in future technology to conquer a planet named after her. He imposed control over the society in an unsettling effort to regain her affection, using this power to subdue them.

However, Belinda playfully labels it as “the planet of the involuntarily celibate,” implying her former fiancé’s domineering nature, in a subtle jab at Alan.

A person labeled as an “involuntary celibate,” often referred to as an “incel,” is usually a man who yearns for romantic or sexual connections but finds himself unable to establish such relationships. He frequently attributes his predicament to either women or societal factors.

In certain online groups referred to as incel communities, some individuals may adopt extremely hostile attitudes towards women, showing signs of bitterness, rage, and a sense of entitlement. This mindset can on occasion escalate into actions that are dangerous or even violent.

Originally tranquil, the planet has transformed into a realm under constant surveillance, where women find their freedom curtailed, their self-rule usurped, and societal manipulation shaping them according to Alan’s concept of loyalty.

Men are taught allegiance to Alan’s rule, much like the reinforcement found in actual online communities that exaggerate male privilege and power over women.

The mechanical enforcers obey Alan’s commands, ensuring compliance and arranging a coerced wedding for Belinda.

However, devoted fans may be taken aback to discover that the Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, assumes a secondary role in the first episode.

The dedicated audience of the show voiced their displeasure about the premiere of the new series, flooding social media with criticism.

One penned: ‘#DoctorWho no longer for me. No idea what I’ve just watched.’

‘Starting a #DoctorWho series with Robot again’

If a series is at risk of being cancelled, the opening episode should be exceptional… but unfortunately, The Robot’s Revolution fell short. The humor was inconsistent and the storyline lacked impact, making it forgettable. Additionally, its treatment of the incel twist was clumsy – for a good example of how to handle such themes effectively, look no further than Adolescence.

Additionally, there are other problems that BBC has encountered regarding the show, as a unique Eurovision-themed episode with a science fiction spin is planned – yet the airing date on May 17th is still unconfirmed.

There could be a potential scheduling clash triggered by the FA Cup Final.

These teams – Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa – are competing fiercely for a valuable place in the upcoming match that will be broadcast live on BBC One.

In two of the four teams making it to the FA Cup Final at Wembley, there’s a chance for additional play like extra time or a penalty shootout. This could cause chaos in the BBC’s evening programming, possibly disrupting Doctor Who’s airtime on its prime-slot.

Recently, the showrunner of the Sci-fi series, Russell T. Davies, voiced his worries about whether the upcoming episode would be broadcasted.

I shared with OK! Magazine: “Sandwiched between the FA Cup airing on BBC One during the day and Eurovision taking over in the evening, it seems we’re caught in the middle.

‘We don’t know if we’ll even be transmitted that day.’

He continued, “You can find it on iPlayer, but keep in mind there’s a football game happening first, so you’ll need to watch it to find out if Doctor Who is airing that evening.

They proposed shifting it, but I responded enthusiastically, “That sounds absolutely thrilling! Let’s investigate!

TopMob contacted the BBC for comment at the time.

Concerns arise as there are rumors that Doctor Who might be canceled, and it’s speculated that the main actor, Ncuti, may soon resign.

Recently, the popular science fiction series has experienced a significant decline in viewership, allegedly due to viewers growing tired of the inclusion of more socially conscious narratives.

In 2023, Ncuti became a part of the series, following Jodie Whittaker’s departure from her role as the Time Lord. However, there are whispers suggesting that he might be leaving the BBC program after only two seasons.

Based on current information, it won’t be until Ncuti’s second season airs later this year that the decision about the show’s continuation will be made by those in charge.

There’s speculation that Ncuti has already shot the scene depicting his character’s departure through regeneration, and it’s been rumored among film crews that this development might signal the conclusion of the show following an impressive 62-year run.

According to a source, Ncuti Gatwa has no intention of continuing with the show past its current state and is planning to move to Los Angeles, where several film opportunities await him.

As a lifestyle expert, I understand the challenges my team faces when our work is met with strong fan reactions, such as the recent series. We strive to ensure that any past roles or perceptions, like that of ‘The Doctor’ for me, do not hinder our future projects and collaborations.

They went on to say, ‘In more recent times, the production of the show has been mishandled, and long-time crew members are finding themselves sidelined because of ineffective leadership.’

According to the source, there was a concern raised that the episodes were overly preoccupied with a particular agenda instead of effectively narrating a story. Those expressing this concern seemed to have been dismissed or overlooked.

The article mentions that Ncuti’s debut series drew an estimated viewership of between 2.25 million and 3.18 million, which is significantly lower compared to the viewership of the previous series.

Nonetheless, a representative from Doctor Who clarified to The Sun that the report is false. Contrary to speculation, Doctor Who has not been put on hold.

Previously mentioned, the determination about Season 3 will come afterwards when Season 2 has been broadcasted. The agreement with Disney+ includes a total of 26 episodes, and it’s important to note that we are yet to air half of them.

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2025-04-13 19:35

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