# Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall both leaving Doctor Who - thoughts? \[Russell T Davies is returning\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted, disney-hulu\ **Created:** [July 29, 2021, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620 "2021-07-29T23:48:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2022, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/122 "2022-10-24T19:56:47Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > I guess you’re not one of the ClassicWho fans who were excited by the return of Ace. And her bat. ClassicWho is something that I occasionally saw late on Saturday nights on PBS as a child and have only the vaguest of memories of. ---
**Author:** ![WalterBishop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/aeb1de/32.png) [@WalterBishop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WalterBishop)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/123 "2022-10-24T20:08:32Z")
Just rewatched _Utopia_, one of my favourite episodes from the first Tennant/RTD era. The writing and acting is _so_ much stronger. It might as well be a different show. If anything can revive the show’s flagging reputation it’s them. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2022, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/124 "2022-10-24T21:51:56Z")
They need to get Matt Smith, David Tenant, Peter Capaldi, and Jodie Whittaker all back for the 60th anniversary next November. And, please oh please, someone slap Chris Eccletson into his senses and have him return this time. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2022, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/125 "2022-10-24T22:53:51Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > They need to get Matt Smith, David Tenant, Peter Capaldi, and Jodie Whittaker all back for the 60th anniversary next November. > > And, please oh please, someone slap Chris Eccletson into his senses and have him return this time. So long as we’re wishing: _and get Sean Pertwee!_ ---
**Author:** ![vislor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vislor/32/5933_2.png) [@vislor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vislor)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2022, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/126 "2022-10-25T13:42:34Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > So long as we’re wishing: _and get Sean Pertwee!_ I would love that! I agree that the stories haven’t been great. There are good moments but it is rush rush rush. I can’t tell if it’s to avoid technobabble explanations? Just the drama of it? I liked the low key episodes, not the whole universe is in danger. Again. I actually hadn’t gotten any spoilers so the ending was a great surprise to me and my wife! Annoying to have to wait 13 months for the next episode but at least there is a next episode. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2022, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/127 "2022-10-25T13:45:58Z")
> [@vislor](#): > > I agree that the stories haven’t been great. There are good moments but it is rush rush rush. I can’t tell if it’s to avoid technobabble explanations? Just the drama of it? I liked the low key episodes, not the whole universe is in danger. Again. She also failed as an actress to elevate the material, though her director and show-runner deserve blame for that. Whittaker and her time was a snooze-fest and I quit watching. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2022, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/128 "2022-10-25T23:21:11Z")
> [@vislor](#): > > I actually hadn’t gotten any spoilers so the ending was a great surprise to me and my wife! Annoying to have to wait 13 months for the next episode but at least there is a next episode. Yeah, about that… > **[Disney+ to become new global home for 'Doctor Who' outside UK](https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/disney-global-home-doctor-uk/story?id=92065109)** > > Disney+ is now the global home for "Doctor Who" outside of the U.K., where it will still exclusively air on the BBC. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2022, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/129 "2022-10-25T23:38:50Z")
I’m happy about that – I already subscribe to d+ for Star Wars/Marvel/etc. I have only seen a few episodes since it left Netflix. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2022, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/130 "2022-10-25T23:59:06Z")
I’m relieved - I’m on my sister’s Disney+ (being family) and I don’t have to worry about shelling out more money or waiting two years for the local library to purchase a copy of new episodes. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/131 "2022-10-26T00:56:11Z")
That’s good news for me. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/132 "2022-10-26T01:25:38Z")
Does that mean it will no longer air on BBC America in the US (Yes, I still have cable)? Or just that Disney+ will be the exclusive place to _stream_ Doctor Who, if you don’t watch it on cable? ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/133 "2022-10-26T01:57:57Z")
That’s for _new_ episodes; is it getting the back catalog as well? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/134 "2022-10-26T01:59:42Z")
Googling, new episodes will no longer be on BBC America or AMC+ but instead on Disney+, but old episodes will remain on HBO MAX. (From Deadline, “HBO Max will continue to be the U.S. streaming home for the original seasons, 1 through 13, while BritBox will continue to stream S1-26.”) In short, BBC America is a shadow of its former self. Sad because I enjoyed the UK content. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/135 "2022-10-26T09:34:22Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > He’s aged a lot in 10 years. Haven’t we all. It’s been a challenging decade all around. > [@eburacum45](#): > > And all the others, up to and including William Russell, who was already 39 when Doctor Who started in 1963. Some kind of record, probably. Stunned to realise who that was. I was thinking that it’s too bad they didn’t bring in Freema Agyeman for the scene as well, as the only other NewWho companion likely to be available and acceptable (what with Rose in another universe, Amy and Rory in another time, Donna mindwiped, Clara wiped from the _Doctor’s_ mind, Wilf’s actor dead and Mickey’s actor MeTooed into limbo at last report) but I get that the whole point of the scene was an OldWho reunion. > [@Mahaloth](#): > > She also failed as an actress to elevate the material, though her director and show-runner deserve blame for that. Whittaker and her time was a snooze-fest and I quit watching. I agree that Whitaker didn’t elevate the material but frankly a lot of the material was stultifying and stupid. I think the best of the lot was her second episode “The Ghost Monument” (about the race across the death planet). Bradley Walsh and Mandip Gill did manage to bring some emotional oomph to their roles but Whitaker’s Doctor was just written as a wittering twit by Chibnall and there’s not a lot Whitaker could have done with that. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/136 "2022-10-26T14:58:45Z")
I can’t say I’m thrilled about giving my money to Disney, but I sort of do already as a _National Geographic_ subscriber. We still have a satellite subscription, along with a couple of streaming services (Paramount+ for Mom’s soap opera, and HBO Max through my mobile phone plan). I’ve been wanting to get rid of satellite because of the expense, but Mom is still much more comfortable using that than the Roku. I’m concerned about HBO Max given the amount of content they (and their associated studios) seem to be jettisoning post-merger, but I would think Disney would end up distributing the back catalog as well. It seems like that is a really good way to reach a new audience. ---
**Author:** ![Eclipse\_Chaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@Eclipse\_Chaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eclipse_Chaser)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/137 "2022-10-26T15:53:47Z")
I got fed up with the number of times she portrayed surprise by letting her mouth hang open in shock. And how many times she just waved the sonic round. ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2022, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/138 "2022-10-26T22:03:24Z")
> [@eburacum45](#): > > up to and including William Russell, who was already 39 when Doctor Who started in 1963. Some kind of record, probably. Indeed, a record. > **[Doctor Who Just Broke A Guinness World Record](https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-ian-chesterton-william-russell-world-record/)** > > The Power of the Doctor was record-breaking! ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/139 "2022-10-27T01:15:14Z")
Is this available in the US yet and if so where? ---
**Author:** ![Tarataratara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tarataratara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarataratara)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/140 "2022-10-27T01:35:31Z")
It’s on BBC America. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2022, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jodie-whittaker-and-chris-chibnall-both-leaving-doctor-who-thoughts-russell-t-davies-is-returning/947620/141 "2022-10-27T01:46:49Z")
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