Doctor Who Is “As Dead As We’ve Ever Known It,” Says Former Writer After Years of Cratering Ratings

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After some recent creative disappointments under showrunners Chris Chibnall and Russell T Davies, the future of *Doctor Who* is uncertain. While The Doctor has faced countless dangers throughout the show’s history, it’s now unclear if the series can adapt to the challenges of today’s television landscape.

A recent comment has fans worried about the future of *Doctor Who*. Robert Shearman, a writer for the show who penned the popular 2005 episode “Dalek,” stated in *Doctor Who Magazine* that the series is “as dead as we’ve ever known it.” This came at a time when ratings are falling and viewers are already unsure about the show’s direction under its current creative team.

A Writer Sounds the Alarm

Russell T Davies famously revived *Doctor Who* in the mid-2000s, but now, after returning to the show, he seems to be leading it into a decline. Writer Mark Shearman hasn’t held back his criticism, stating the series has hit a new low, even worse than the period following its 1989 cancellation after Sylvester McCoy’s time as the Doctor.

In an interview with *Doctor Who Magazine*, he expressed his disappointment with the lack of fresh ideas in the show’s latest episodes.

He believes that anything new created for *Doctor Who* will inevitably feel like a step backward. He specifically feels the 2025 special, *The Reality War*, concluded the show’s story instead of setting up future possibilities.

He admitted that the ending of *The Reality War* felt conclusive, something they hadn’t achieved before. It felt like a definitive ending, in a good way.

This is a significant turnaround for Shearman, considering the difficult period after Doctor Who was cancelled in 1989. At that time, the show continued to exist only through novels and audio dramas, which maintained its stories and characters for fans.

He explained that for years after 1989, there was a clear sense of who the current Doctor was. At least with the New Adventures novels and the BBC Books, fans knew whether they were reading about Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, or Paul McGann.

Now, he says, there isn’t even that.

Shearman explained that it’s unlikely anyone will begin writing *Doctor Who* novels featuring Billie Piper as the Doctor, as it’s a confusing concept for fans. He seemed to be referencing the controversial conclusion of the most recent series, suggesting it created this confusion.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Unfortunately for the BBC, Shearman’s grim outlook matches the data.

Doctor Who is currently experiencing its lowest viewership numbers ever. The recent episode, “Lucky Day,” had only 1.5 million viewers overnight – the smallest audience the show has seen in its 61-year run. This happened just weeks after another episode set a previous record low of 1.58 million. When record lows are broken so quickly, it’s clear there’s a significant problem.

The first four episodes of the 2025 season averaged 3.1 million viewers, about 800,000 fewer than the same episodes last year. This decline is more significant than even during the previous, often criticized, era of the show, when some fans felt the storylines became too complex, overly political, and focused more on social issues than science fiction.

Davies reintroduced identity politics into Doctor Who, and during Ncuti Gatwa’s time as The Doctor, the show heavily focused on stories centered around LGBTQ+ themes and gender identity, sometimes to the exclusion of other narratives.

Surprisingly, a recent YouGov survey revealed that almost 40% of young adults in the UK have never seen *Doctor Who*. This is particularly concerning because this generation is the one most likely to be discovering and enjoying the show now.

The Disney Dilemma

The BBC’s partnership with Disney is adding to the current challenges. While teaming up with Disney+ for worldwide distribution was intended to update *Doctor Who* and attract new viewers, many fans feel it has diminished the show’s unique appeal and given Disney too much control over its creative choices.

I’m starting to worry about BBC Studios America. I’m hearing that Disney might be losing interest – and even pulling their financial backing. If that happens, the BBC could be stuck with a costly venture that isn’t doing well, and without Disney’s help, I fear it might not survive.

It’s a grim irony: the world’s most famous time-traveling show may have finally run out of time.

A Crisis of Identity

Beyond just financial concerns, *Doctor Who* is struggling to define itself. The show has changed its style, setting, and even the Doctor’s personality so frequently lately that viewers are having trouble connecting with the character.

Recent episodes were packed with surprise appearances, clever twists on old ideas, and references to past events, but they lacked a strong sense of purpose. The show used to be known for its creativity and exploration of important questions, but now it feels more like a collection of familiar moments and political commentary.

It’s significant that even a writer involved in bringing back *Doctor Who* now thinks the show feels lifeless.

Can Doctor Who Be Saved?

Reviving the show will be challenging, though the *Doctor Who* name is still well-known. The BBC is committed to continuing the series with new stories and a renewed direction. However, unless they focus more on compelling narratives than branding, it’s difficult to imagine *Doctor Who* regaining its former worldwide popularity.

Viewers aren’t looking for complicated reboots or characters simply explaining things. What they want is excitement, intrigue, and genuine emotion. Ultimately, people want *Doctor Who* to be enjoyable again.

According to Shearman, Doctor Who is ‘completely finished’ – and if that doesn’t signal a crisis, nothing will.

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2025-10-13 16:58