Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. This includes one television movie and multiple specials, and encompasses stories over 38 seasons. Additionally, four charity specials and two animated serials have also been aired. The programme's high episode count has resulted in Doctor Who holding the world record for the highest number of episodes of a science-fiction programme. In May 2017, it was announced that BBC Worldwide sold the right of refusal on future series of the programme until and including Series 15 in China. Doctor Who ceased production in 1989, then resumed in 2005. The original series, generally consists of multi-episode serials. The 2005 revival trades the earlier serial format for a run of self-contained episodes, interspersed with occasional multi-part stories and structured into loose story arcs. The story numbers below are not official designations; they are meant as a rough guide to placement in the overall context of the programme. There is some dispute, for instance, about whether to count Season 23's The Trial of a Time Lord as one or as four serials, and whether the unfinished serial Shada should be included. The numbering scheme in this list reflects an internal practice of describing "Planet of the Dead" as the 200th story. Other sources, such as the Region 1 classic Doctor WhoDVD releases, use different numbering schemes, which diverge after the 108th story, The Horns of Nimon.
Series overview
The following table dictates the season or series in question for the programme as a whole.
In 2005, the BBC relaunched Doctor Who after a 16-year absence from episodic television, with Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner and Mal Young as executive producers, Phil Collinson as producer, and Christopher Eccleston taking the lead role of the Ninth Doctor. The revival is a continuation of the original series. The new series is formatted to a widescreen display ratio, and a standard episode length of 45 minutes. For the first time since the 1965–1966 season, each episode has a title, and most stand alone as complete stories. The show also returned to its traditional Saturday evening slot.
Series 1 (2005)
The 2005 series constitutes a loose story arc, dealing with the consequences of the Time War and the mysterious Bad Wolf.
The back-story for the spin-off series Torchwood is "seeded" in various episodes in the 2006 series. Each episode also has an accompanying online Tardisode.
Series 3 (2007)
This series introduces Martha Jones and deals with the Face of Boe's final message, the mysterious Mr. Saxon, and the Doctor dealing with the loss of Rose Tyler.
Series 4 (2008)
This series explores the coincidences binding the Doctor and Donna together. There is also the loose story arc of the planets disappearing and bees also disappearing.
Specials (2008–2010)
The specials focus on the "four knocks" and the death of the Tenth Doctor. From "Planet of the Dead", episodes were filmed in HD.
This series deals with cracks spreading throughout time and the Pandorica.
Series 6 (2011)
The series centres on River Song's relation to the Doctor, and the Doctor's "death". The original transmission of series 6 was split into two parts, with the first seven episodes airing April to June 2011 and the final six from late August to October 2011.
For Series 8–10, the episode count was reduced from thirteen to twelve. This series dealt with the mystery identity of the character "Missy" and the mystery around "The Promised Land".
Series 9 (2015)
This series dealt with the consequences of the Doctor and Clara’s relationship, and the Doctor’s confession about the Hybrid.
Series 10 (2017)
This series dealt with the mystery of the vault and the Doctor’s oath, later exploring the Doctor and Missy’s relationship, and the possibility of Missy "turning good". This season introduces Bill Potts and Nardole as The Doctor's companions.
The Thirteenth Doctor is portrayed by Jodie Whittaker. Chris Chibnall took over as showrunner from the eleventh series.
Series 11 (2018)
For Series 11, the episode count was reduced from twelve to ten. The Thirteenth Doctor initially searches for her lost TARDIS, inadvertently bringing her companions with her on her travels, who contemplate returning to their lives but decide to continue travelling. The series also deals with grief.
Series 12 (2020)
This series deals with a new incarnation of the Master, the return of Jack Harkness, the appearance of an unknown incarnation of the Doctor who existed at some point before the Time War, and the "lone Cyberman", while following the destruction of Gallifrey and the secret of the Timeless Child.
