In an interview, the Doctor Who series’ head writer and showrunner acknowledged that ratings had not been what he had hoped for, but insisted that the series has a large younger audience.
Russell T. Davies has made no secret of his plans to promote LGBT-themed agendas throughout the 60-year-old franchise.
In an interview earlier this year, he explained that gender, race and sexual orientation influenced the lead character’s role from the audition stage onwards, which resulted in actor Ncuti Gatwa playing the lead role, with Gatwa pleading with viewers not to watch if they feel the show’s activism is too much.
This led to steadily declining viewer numbers as gay dance club scenes and drag queen characters were added, eventually culminating in the series’ first tired tropes. Kissing two guys.
Davis said he was very proud of the show, before acknowledging that ratings had dipped a bit.
“You know, it might not be the ratings we’d like, we always want higher ratings,” he was quoted as telling the Radio Times. Screen Rant.
“But in the 28 days, the viewership has grown,” he continued. “The first episode, ‘Space Babies,’ has already reached 5.6 million views and counting, so it’s gaining momentum. And in fact, they brought me back to get a younger audience, which is a huge success.”
“You can’t get anyone under 30. They don’t watch TV anymore. But for Doctor Who the figures are astronomical. It’s the top show of its generation. I honestly didn’t think it was possible. But according to the numbers crunchers, every target has been met and exceeded. The BBC is running like mad.”
“Homophobia and transphobia happen when things happen that we’ve never seen before.”
While Davis may be able to claim more specific ratings in terms of demographics, his decision to make the show heavily politicized has made the overall ratings a subject of great debate.
Here are the ratings so far this season: Doctor Who TV:
- Episode 1 – 2.6 million overnight / 4.01 million 7-day total
- Episode 2 – 2.4M / 3.91M
- Episode 3 – 2.04 million / 3.58 million
- Episode 4 – 2.62M / 4.06M
- Episode 5 – 2.12M / 3.38M
- Episode 6 – 2.11 million / (N/A)
Viewership is down compared to the previous season. 2023 (the year only the special was broadcast), Gatowa’s Christmas special had below average ratings compared to other shows.
in 2021-2022The average number of viewers for a regular episode was 3.83 million, 2020-2021 The episode averaged 4.11 million viewers.
The only other recent ratings to be as low as Gatwa’s were for the 2017 episode of “The Eaters of Light” (2.89 million viewers).
The aforementioned diversity and inclusivity has been planned as a major part of the latest season for some time, as has the attempt to push that theme towards kids, and Davis seems to believe he has achieved that.
Davis said in a 2023 interview that he believes “visibility” is key and that “growing up seeing this stuff” helps avoid prejudice.
“Homophobia and transphobia happen when things happen that we’ve never seen before,” he says. ClaimedHe also said children are easily influenced by ideology.
“If we introduce these images to people at a young age in a fun, normal, calm way, we can soften and change their reactions.”
If Davis really thinks ratings from younger viewers are a breakthrough, why are the writers still digging the show? Wasn’t picked up After 2025.
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