Season Series 2 (under the new global marketing numbering scheme) returns NEXT Saturday. It’s season series 15 in ‘old money’ or season series 41 if you’ve been following it since the beginning in November, 1963. I have!!🤔
This long-running series is set to return to Disney+ and BBC/BBC iPlayer on April 12, picking up after 2024’s Christmas Special “Joy to the World”.
Based on Nkuti Gatwa’s debut first series, I’ll be interested to see how this series turns out. The might of the BBC marketing department first went into overdrive on Sunday, 1 March and actually got Gary Lineker* (right in the middle of Match of the Day!) to dabble – rather awkwardly – with a sonic screwdriver and introduce the BBC’s official trailer for the new series.
How bizarre/desperate/clever!* Delete as applicable!
And so here we go again! Those who regularly follow my scribbles here will know that, as a lifelong dedicated fan, for me, the whole ‘Who thang’ has been on a downward spiral since Jodie Whittaker was announced as the 13th Doctor back in July, 2017. In my book, there was nothing wrong with her acting as such, it was just the storylines!
Fast-forward to now, and although the recent stories are thankfully, much better, the character of the current Doctor is not gelling with me at all (more about that later!). Never satisfied… that’s me! 🙁
Talking of returns, the show will also see Millie Gibson’s character, Ruby Sunday, back on board, while Jemma Redgrave (as Kate Lethbridge Stewart), Anita Dobson (playing the mysterious Mrs Flood) and Bonnie Langford (Melanie Bush) all return to reprise their regular roles. There’s a new companion lined up too – Varada Sethu (who fans might remember from series 1′, the Steven Moffat-penned episode ‘Boom’, but back then, playing character Mundy Flynn). This time, she takes on the role of new ‘companion’: Belinda Chandra.
Nkuti Gatwa’s initial outing in Series 1 was, on the whole, a bit ‘up and down’. After a woeful first and second episode (Space Babies, anyone? 😮), things picked up from the storyline perspective. However, I’m not relating to the character of the Doctor as a sometimes uncertain, sometimes crying hero – it just doesn’t sit well with me. In short: too much of a snowflake! 😮
My Ratings from Series 1
Space Babies: Written by Russell T Davies, directed by Julie Anne Robinson – 1.5/5
The Devil’s Chord: Written by Russell T Davies, directed by Ben Chessell – 2.5/5
Boom: Written by Steven Moffat, directed by Julie Anne Robinson – 4/5
73 Yards: Written by Russell T Davies, directed by Dylan Holmes Williams – 4.5/5
Dot and Bubble: Written by Russell T Davies, directed by Dylan Holmes Williams – 3.5/5
Rogue: Written by Kate Herron and Briony Redman, directed by Ben Chessell – 4.5/5
The Legend of Ruby Sunday: Written by Russell T Davies, directed by Jamie Donoughue – 4.5/5
Empire of Death: Written by Russell T Davies, directed by Jamie Donoughue – 4.5/5
OK, the stories improved as the series progressed, but can we have our hero as someone who is much more mentally resilient? 🤔
I’m not entirely sure of the timings, but I think that this new series was wrapped before some negative publicity came in about NG’s first series. “Too woke” and “He’s 1000 year old hero, why all the crying?” were oft-quoted comments. It seems that I wasn’t alone in not relating to the new Who (although many others DID!). Each to their own, ehh!? 🤔
Or, maybe finally, I’ve just outgrown Who, as I hover closer to my 70th year?? 🤔
But this time, it’s a pivotal moment for me. I think this will be the last time I give the series a chance to get itself together – 2025 could be the year that I finally say goodbye to Who! Well, until the next regeneration!
Guest Stars
A sure sign that I’m no longer the target audience is the list of guest stars, most of whom I’d never heard of! 🙁
Alan Cummings*, Rose Ayling-Ellis*, Anita Dobson*, Bonnie Langford*, Jemma Redgrave*, Ruth Madeley, Susan Twist, Caoilfhionn Dunne, Christopher Chung, Evelyn Miller, Ariyon Bakare, Julie Dray, Michelle Greenidge, Angela Wynter, Alexander Devrient, Rylan, Freddie Fox, Jonah Hauer-King, Kadiff Kirwan and no doubt a load of other stars aimed at ‘the yoof’! 😁
* Huzzah! I’d heard of these!! 😉
Titles for Series 2
On Saturday, 22 March 2025, the titles for this latest series were announced…
Episode 1: The Robot Revolution: Written by Russell T Davies, directed by Peter Hoar
Episode 2: Lux: Written by Russell T Davies, directed by Amanda Brotchie
Episode 3: The Well: Written by Russell T Davies & Sharma Angel Walfall, directed by Amanda Brotchie
Episode 4: Lucky Day: Written by Pete McTighe, directed by Peter Hoar
Episode 5: The Story & the Engine: Written by Inua Ellams, directed by Makalla McPherson
Episode 6: The Interstellar Song Contest: Written by Juno Dawson, directed by Ben A. Williams
Episode 7: Wish World: Written by Russell T Davies, directed by Alex Sanjiv Pillai
Episode 8: The Reality War: Written by Russell T Davies, directed by Alex Sanjiv Pillai
But let’s finish on a positive! I’ve been wrong before, so possibly, this latest series will woo me back!! 👍
See you next Saturday! 👍
I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!
I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!
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