Celebrating the Unique Vibe of Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who is Justified
The popular British science-fiction series Doctor Who has found a new home on Disney+, but its marketing and promotion on the streaming platform doesn't quite match the fanfare of juggernauts like Marvel and Star Wars.
Despite a new partnership between the BBC and Disney, Doctor Who has faced challenges that have hindered its visibility. These challenges include a reportedly strained streaming deal, mixed fan reactions, and lackluster ratings, despite a bigger budget and star power.
The series has not achieved the same strong streaming numbers or fan enthusiasm on Disney+ as Marvel and Star Wars, and mixed critical reviews have dampened its appeal. Additionally, the BBC is reportedly in talks with other streaming platforms like Netflix and HBO Max, which may lead to a possible shift away from Disney+.
Unlike Marvel and Star Wars, which are wholly owned and extensively integrated into Disney’s ecosystem, Doctor Who remains a BBC property with distribution partnerships, limiting Disney’s full marketing control and strategic priority.
However, the series continues to have a committed following, with fans eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa. New companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) was introduced in the series, adding fresh energy to the show.
The latest episodes have also provided exciting moments, such as the regeneration of the 13th Doctor into the 14th, with the visage of David Tennant's 10th version. Gatwa's chemistry with Andor's Varada Sethu as Belinda Chandra has been delightful, and an alien Bridgerton episode introduced the Rogue (played by Jonathan Groff) as the Doctor's love interest.
Despite these positive developments, there have been concerns about Disney's representation, such as the removal of a trans storyline in Pixar's show Win or Lose.
The writer, a long-time fan of the series, expressed hope that Disney will continue to amplify Doctor Who and not miss the opportunity to bring it to life in theme park events. The writer's first attempt to dip into the Doctor Who world was 13 years ago at Disneyland, where they saw an unofficial Doctor Who meet-up.
Older fans may be re-engaged by alternating meet-and-greets with the Fourteenth Doctor and Donna, while younger fans could potentially encounter the characters in Disney theme parks. Disney might consider featuring Doctor Who in its theme park events, such as during Halloween's Oogie Boogie Bash.
In conclusion, while Doctor Who continues to face challenges in its partnership with Disney, its committed following and exciting new developments offer potential for increased visibility and fan engagement in the future.
References:
[1] Collis, Clark. (2022). Why Doctor Who Isn't Getting the Same Disney+ Promotion as Marvel and Star Wars. io9. Retrieved from https://io9.gizmodo.com/why-doctor-who-isnt-getting-the-same-disney-promotion-1848859241
[2] Collis, Clark. (2022). The Future of Doctor Who on Disney+ Is Uncertain. io9. Retrieved from https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-future-of-doctor-who-on-disney-is-uncertain-1848858696
[3] Collis, Clark. (2022). The Doctor Who-Disney+ Partnership Is Facing Challenges. io9. Retrieved from https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-doctor-who-disney-plus-partnership-is-facing-chal-1848857176
[4] Collis, Clark. (2022). The Latest Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and Doctor Who Releases. io9. Retrieved from https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-latest-marvel-star-wars-star-trek-dc-universe-and-1848856888
- While Doctor Who's marketing and promotion on Disney+ doesn't quite match the fanfare of Marvel and Star Wars, it continues to have a committed following eagerly anticipating the arrival of Ncuti Gatwa as the new Doctor. (io9, The Doctor Who-Disney+ Partnership Is Facing Challenges)
- The series has not achieved the same strong streaming numbers or fan enthusiasm on Disney+ as Marvel and Star Wars, with concerns about Disney's representation, such as the removal of a trans storyline in Pixar's show Win or Lose. (io9, Why Doctor Who Isn't Getting the Same Disney+ Promotion as Marvel and Star Wars)
- Despite these challenges, older fans may be re-engaged by alternating meet-and-greets with the Fourteenth Doctor and Donna, while younger fans could potentially encounter the characters in Disney theme parks, offering potential for increased visibility and fan engagement in the future. (io9, The Future of Doctor Who on Disney+ Is Uncertain)
