Former Doctor Who star Peter Davison has criticised the long running sci fi series for prioritising style over substance, warning that it has started to resemble a trailer rather than a fully fleshed out drama.
The 74 year old actor, who played the Fifth Doctor from 1982 to 1984, voiced his concerns in a new interview, saying the latest episodes have leaned too heavily on big budget special effects and left huge gaps in the narrative.
Speaking on The Lewis Nicholls Show, Davison said: “As the special effects got even better, there’s a danger that it becomes just about special effects... there are huge gaps in the narrative because they’re just leaping onto the next bit.”
He likened the pace of the show to watching “a trailer for a Doctor Who show you’d like to watch later,” adding that sci fi as a genre is now obsessed with going “100 miles an hour” out of fear audiences will switch off.
The BBC series recently wrapped its latest season with a dramatic regeneration twist — Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor appeared to morph into Billie Piper, who famously played companion Rose Tyler during the Russell T Davies revival era.
The moment shocked fans and triggered a wave of speculation, particularly as Piper wasn’t listed as “The Doctor” in the credits.
Davison isn’t convinced the reveal means what it seems. Speaking to Starburst magazine, he said: “I don’t think she is the Doctor. I think it’s kind of just a hand grenade thrown into the final episode... almost like, ‘Get out of that.’”
The show has come under increasing scrutiny from fans in recent years, with some claiming it focuses too much on so called “woke” themes. A recent poll suggested nearly half of viewers believe social messaging has overtaken storytelling.
While Davison admitted he’s unsure why Piper would return to Cardiff to film the show, he did praise the current team especially showrunner Davies for addressing long running problems, such as underwritten companions.
“She was a fantastic companion,” he said of Piper’s original run as Rose. “And now, they’re giving characters like her a lot more to do.”
Despite his reservations, Davison said he still appreciates the legacy of the show but hopes future episodes slow down and make room for stronger stories.
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