The Whoniverse is a British media franchise and shared universe centring on the BBC television series Doctor Who, its spin-offs[1] and other associated media.[2][3] The shared universe nature was established by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast, and characters, usually deriving from the main programme.[4]
Doctor Who depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being with a human appearance. The Doctor explores the universe in a time-travelling space ship called the TARDIS. With various companions, they combat foes, work to save civilisations, and help people in need.
Doctor Who was first broadcast in 1963 and ran for 26 seasons until 1989, briefly returning in the form of a TV film in 1996. It was later revived in 2005, when the show's newfound success led to the commissioning of several spin-offs – Torchwood (2006–2011), The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007–2011) and Class (2016). Other spin-offs include the pilot K-9 and Company (1981) and non-BBC produced series K9 (2009–2010).
The franchise name, a portmanteau of the words "who" and "universe", was originally used to describe Doctor Who's production and fanbase.[5] In 2023, the year of the show's sixtieth anniversary, the BBC adopted the name in an official capacity, making the Whoniverse the umbrella brand for all programmes connected to Doctor Who, including documentaries.
The majority of the Whoniverse's programmes have been commercially successful and generally received positive reviews. They have also inspired an extensive collection of book, comic and magazine publications, audio plays, films, video games, exhibitions, and stage plays.
Background[edit]
The earliest official usage of "Whoniverse" was in the introduction to the appendices of The Doctor Who Programme Guide Volume 2 by Jean-Marc Lofficier published May 1981 in its hardcover edition.[6] The publicitity blurb on the back of The Second Doctor Who Quiz Book by Nigel Robinson published in December 1982 also used the term.[7] In his 1983 book Doctor Who: A Celebration; Two Decades Through Time and Space, Peter Haining called his final chapter "The Whoniverse".[5] The section assembled factual information about all the episodes to date, but also gave information about fan clubs and ancillary entertainments related to the programme. Thus, the term Whoniverse referred to everything connected with the programme behind-the-scenes. In this meaning, standing exhibitions, discussions about the filming of episodes and even the fandom itself were considered part of the "Whoniverse". The term Whoniverse is still used with this definition today,[8][9][10][11] including as the name of a Doctor Who convention in Australia.[12][13]
The term began to appear in mainstream press coverage, placing greater emphasis on it as a fictional universe, following the popular success of the 2005 Doctor Who revival and the establishment of its spin-offs Torchwood (2006–2011) and The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007–2011).[14][15]
Development[edit]
In October 2022, it was reported that Bad Wolf Studios had filed for a new subsidiary company, run by former Doctor Who executive producer Julie Gardner and former BBC head of drama Jane Tranter, called "Whoniverse1 LTD".[16] On 17 January 2023, outlets reported that a new sign at Bad Wolf Studios possessed the tagline "Home of the Whoniverse".[17][18]
On 30 October 2023, the BBC announced it would be using the term "Whoniverse" in an official capacity to describe all shows within the orbit of Doctor Who, and specifically their home on BBC iPlayer, including documentary programming.[19] It had previously been announced that over eight hundred previous episodes would be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.[20] A Whoniverse ident was also adopted to unify content within the Whoniverse collection.[19]
Television[edit]
Overview[edit]
Series | Season | Episodes | Originally aired | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | Network | ||||
K-9 and Company | 1 | 1 | 28 December 1981 | BBC1 | ||
Scream of the Shalka | 1 | 6 | 13 November 2003 | 18 December 2003 | BBCi | |
Torchwood | 1 | 13 | 22 October 2006 | 1 January 2007 | BBC Three | |
2 | 13 | 16 January 2008 | 4 April 2008 | BBC Two | ||
3 | 5 | 6 July 2009 | 10 July 2009 | BBC One | ||
4 | 10 | 8 July 2011 | 9 September 2011 | Starz / BBC One | ||
The Sarah Jane Adventures | 1 | Special | 1 January 2007 | CBBC / BBC One | ||
10 | 24 September 2007 | 19 November 2007 | ||||
2 | 12 | 29 September 2008 | 8 December 2008 | |||
3 | 12 | 15 October 2009 | 20 November 2009 | |||
4 | 12 | 11 October 2010 | 16 November 2010 | |||
5 | 6 | 3 October 2011 | 18 October 2011 | |||
K9 | 1 | 26 | 31 October 2009 | 20 November 2010 | Network Ten / Disney XD | |
Class | 1 | 8 | 22 October 2016 | 3 December 2016 | BBC Three | |
Tales of the TARDIS | 1 | 7 | 1 November 2023 | 20 June 2024 | BBC iPlayer |
Tales of the TARDIS[edit]
Marketed as the first Whoniverse exclusive release, Tales of the TARDIS features omnibus re-releases of stories from the show's original run, enclosed by additional material featuring actors reprising their roles. The series is produced by Bad Wolf and BBC Studios, and executive produced by Russell T Davies, Jane Tranter, Phil Collinson, and Joel Collins.[21] The new material takes place within Doctor Who's official canon.[22]
The first six episodes were released on 1 November 2023 on BBC iPlayer, and feature several actors reprising their roles from Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures, including Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy as the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Doctors, respectively.[23][24][25] New material for Tales of the TARDIS, filmed over six days at Bad Wolf Studios from 25 to 30 September 2023,[26][27] was written by Doctor Who writers Davies, Pete McTighe, and Phil Ford, directed by Joshua M.G. Thomas, and produced by Scott Handcock.[21][28]
A seventh episode was released on iPlayer and broadcast on BBC Four on 20 June 2024, two days before the series 14 finale "Empire of Death", featuring Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson as the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday. In conjunction with the return of antagonist Sutekh in the parent series, the episode presents a remastered version of Pyramids of Mars with updated special effects,[29][30] as well as new material written by Davies, directed by Jamie Donoughue, and produced by Vicki Delow.[31][32]
No. | Title | New material directed by | New material written by | Featuring | Original release date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Earthshock | Joshua M.G. Thomas | Russell T Davies | Fifth Doctor and Tegan | 1 November 2023 |
2 | The Mind Robber | Joshua M.G. Thomas | Pete McTighe | Jamie and Zoe | 1 November 2023 |
3 | Vengeance on Varos | Joshua M.G. Thomas | Phil Ford | Sixth Doctor and Peri | 1 November 2023 |
4 | The Three Doctors | Joshua M.G. Thomas | Phil Ford | Jo and Clyde | 1 November 2023 |
5 | The Time Meddler | Joshua M.G. Thomas | Phil Ford | Vicki and Steven | 1 November 2023 |
6 | The Curse of Fenric | Joshua M.G. Thomas | Pete McTighe | Seventh Doctor and Ace | 1 November 2023 |
7 | Pyramids of Mars | Jamie Donoughue | Russell T Davies | Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby | 20 June 2024 |
The War Between the Land and the Sea[edit]
Deadline Hollywood reported that a new Doctor Who spin-off titled The War Between the Land and the Sea is set to begin filming in September 2024.[33]
Films[edit]
Film | UK release date | Director | Screenwriter(s) | Producers |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dr. Who and the Daleks | 23 August 1965 | Gordon Flemyng | Milton Subotsky | Milton Subotsky and Max J. Rosenberg |
Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. | 5 August 1966 | Gordon Flemyng | Milton Subotsky and David Whitaker | Milton Subotsky and Max J. Rosenberg |
Stage plays[edit]
Title | Date premiered | Writer(s) | Premiere venue |
---|---|---|---|
The Curse of the Daleks | 21 December 1965 | David Whitaker and Terry Nation | Wyndham's Theatre, London |
Doctor Who and the Daleks in the Seven Keys to Doomsday | 16 December 1974 | Terrance Dicks | Adelphi Theatre, London |
Doctor Who – The Ultimate Adventure | 23 March 1989 | Terrance Dicks | Wimbledon Theatre, London |
The Trial of Davros | 14 November 1993 16 July 2005 (revised) |
Kevin Taylor and Michael Wisher | The Village Hotel, Hyde, Greater Manchester Tameside Hippodrome, Ashton-under-Lyne (revised) |
Doctor Who Live | 8 October 2010 | Will Brenton and Gareth Roberts | Wembley Arena, London |
The Crash of the Elysium | 1 July 2011 | Tom MacRae | MediaCityUK, Salford |
In other media[edit]
The Whoniverse version of Earth is referred to as Earth-5556 in the Marvel Multiverse.[34]
References to the Whoniverse appear in The Inheritance Cycle fantasy novels by Christopher Paolini.[35]
Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies cast John MacKay as John Logie Baird for the episode "The Giggle" (2023), reprising the role he played in Davies' ITV series Nolly earlier in 2023. Davies joked that this casting meant that all the television series he has written are set in the same universe.[36]
Museums and exhibitions[edit]
There have been various Doctor Who–related exhibitions in the United Kingdom, including the now-closed exhibitions at:[citation needed]
- Land's End (Cornwall)
- Blackpool
- Llangollen
- Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow
- Coventry Transport Museum, Coventry
- Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Melbourne, Australia
- Kensington Olympia Two, London
- Longleat, which ran for 30 years.[37]
- Cardiff (the city where the series is filmed).[38]
Merchandise[edit]
Since its beginnings, Doctor Who has generated hundreds of products related to the show, from toys and games to collectible picture cards and postage stamps. These include board games, card games, gamebooks, computer games, roleplaying games, action figures and a pinball game. Many games have been released that feature the Daleks, including Dalek computer games.[citation needed]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Capaldi's Past Whoniverse Appearances Not Ignored, Doctor Who TV, 28 September 2014
- ^ Kistler 2013, p. 224.
- ^ Lofficier 1992, Foreword.
- ^ Lloyd, Robert (18 April 2008), "She's back in the Whoniverse", Los Angeles Times
- ^ a b Haining 1983.
- ^ Lofficier, Jean-Marc (1981). The Doctor Who Programme Guide Volume 2. London: W. H. Allen. p. 105. ISBN 0491028040.
- ^ Robinson, Nigel (1982). The Second Doctor Who Quiz Book (A Target book). London: Target. pp. Back cover. ISBN 978-0426194064.
- ^ A message from Matt Smith: "To the Whoniverse, thanks a million. You're the best. I'll miss you. And I'll miss the madness.", twitter.com
- ^ "The Sarah Jane Adventures", BBC – Blogs – Writersroom, BBC, 1 November 2010
- ^ "Doctor Who – #Save The Day". BBC.
- ^ "Jessica Simpson to Enter the Whoniverse?". Anglophenia. 7 February 2007. Archived from the original on 15 August 2007.
- ^ "Whoniverse". The Hub Productions. 2011.
- ^ "Whoniverse: The Doctor Is In – Australia 2014 Convention". Magnificent Matt Smith! – Your newest online resource to the 11th Doctor Matt Smith!. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ^ Morrison, Ryan (12 July 2007). "Battle of Flowers: Cybermen and Dalek for Battle". BBC Jersey.
- ^ "Peter Capaldi's Multiple Appearances in the Whoniverse To Be Explained by an Old Russell T Davies Idea". Bleeding Cool. 29 September 2013.
- ^ Jasper, Matthew (27 November 2021). "New Doctor Who Production Company Name Hints at Shared Universe & Spinoffs". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
- ^ Welcome to the Whoniverse, blogtorwho.com
- ^ Flook, Ray (17 January 2023). "Doctor Who: Bad Wolf As "The Home of The Whoniverse" Very Promising". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Doctor Who: Welcome to The Whoniverse where every Doctor, every companion and hundreds of terrifying monsters live". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ 60 Years of Doctor Who drops on BBC iPlayer alongside landmark online archive, bbc.co.uk
- ^ a b "Welcome to the Whoniverse..." Doctor Who TV. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Scott, Darren; Salmon, William (1 November 2023). "Doctor Who: Tales of the TARDIS is "absolutely" canon says showrunner Russell T Davies". SFX. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Fullerton, Huw (1 November 2023). "Why the Doctor Who team made Tales of the TARDIS". Radio Times. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ Scott, Darren; Salmon, William (1 November 2023). "Russell T Davies hints at "bigger plans" for Doctor Who spin-off Tales of the TARDIS". SFX. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ Blair, Andrew (3 November 2023). "Tales of the TARDIS is Packed with Doctor Who easter Eggs – What Did You Spot?". Den of Geek. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "Doctor Who Magazine 597". Doctor Who Magazine. 8 November 2023. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ Laford, Andrea (14 October 2023). "Russell T Davies teases Doctor Who 60th anniversary and 2025 Series news". CultBox. Archived from the original on 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ Flook, Ray (30 October 2023). "Doctor Who: Tales of the TARDIS Series Reunites Doctors, Companions". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Harp, Justin (19 June 2024). "Doctor Who confirms BBC premiere date for special spinoff episode". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Griffin, Louise (7 June 2024). "Doctor Who confirms new episode of returning spin-off and hints at link to classic story". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ Flook, Ray (17 June 2024). "Doctor Who: Tales of the TARDIS Tackles "Pyramids of Mars" on Thursday". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "Doctor Who - The Doctor and Ruby journey to the Pyramids Of Mars in an all new Tales Of The TARDIS". BBC. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (17 July 2024). "'Doctor Who's Regeneration: Has The Disney Gamble Paid Off?". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ^ All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol 1 7
- ^ Paolini, Christopher (20 September 2008). "Acknowledgments". Brisingr (1st ed.). New York City: Alfred A. Knopf. p. 761. ISBN 978-0-375-82672-6.
Also, for those who understood the reference to a 'lonely god' when Eragon and Arya are sitting around the campfire, my only excuse is that the Doctor can travel everywhere, even alternate realities. Hey, I'm a fan too!
- ^ Cormack, Morgan (9 November 2023). "Doctor Who confirms further castings for 60th anniversary specials". Radio Times. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ "Dr Who Exhibition, Longleat". The Doctor Who Exhibitions Archive. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ "Doctor Who". Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
Bibliography[edit]
- Lofficier, Jean-Marc (1992). The Universal Databank. Virgin Publishing (Target). ISBN 0-426-20370-4.
- Haining, Peter (1983). Doctor Who: A Celebration; Two Decades Through Time and Space. W.H. Allen. ISBN 978-0-491-03351-0.
- Kistler, Alan (2013). Doctor Who: a history. Lyons Press. ISBN 978-0-7627-9188-0. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
Further reading[edit]
- Howe, David J; Walker, Stephen James (1998), Doctor Who: The Television Companion
- Wood, Tat (2007). About Time 6:Season 22-26, The TV Movie. Mad Norwegian Press. ISBN 978-0-975-94465-3.
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