Radio Times
type: channel
link: https://www.radiotimes.com
date: 2025-02-12T16:22:05.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: Why Peter Capaldi is the most underrated Doctor in Doctor Who
items: Peter Davison and Elizabeth Morton on Doctor Who, David Tennant and saving the universe
items: Are Doctor Who’s companions more important than the Doctor?
items: How Doctor Who: Redacted links with Doctor Who's 60th anniversary specials
items: Peter Davison reveals scrapped plans for Five(ish) Doctors Reboot follow-up
items: Doctor Who - Worlds of Wonder review: Educational, inspirational and a fan's dream
items: Every Easter egg from Doctor Who: Redacted episode 1
items: Doctor Who deserves praise for shining a light on overlooked historical women

Why Peter Capaldi is the most underrated Doctor in Doctor Who
type: item
date: 2024-04-14T14:00:38.000Z
creator: Beth Axford
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: Comment
description: As the actor celebrates his 66th birthday, Beth Axford looks back on his unparalleled reign as the Time Lord.
encoded: When Peter Capaldi was announced as the Twelfth incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who on live television in 2013, I was shocked. I hadn’t known of the actor; I was 15 at the time, and I had grown up when David Tennant and Matt Smith were in the role, so I didn’t know what to expect next. But from the moment the Twelfth Doctor flashed into existence, I knew I would fall in love with him like I had every other incarnation. Before his first season aired, Capaldi had a blink and you'll miss it appearance in 2013’s anniversary episode The Day of the Doctor and then made his Doctor Who debut in Smith's swansong The Time of the Doctor. So, when July 2014 rolled around, I was already excited about what was to come. That month, I, along with many other fans, made my way to St Paul's Cathedral to see Capaldi and Missy actress Michelle Gomez filming the season 8 finale story Dark Water/Death in Heaven. He made time to meet every single fan, passer-by and straggling parent. He signed pictures, took photos and spoke with everyone. This man loved and cared about not just Doctor Who but its fans, and after getting a photo with the new Doctor, I knew he would be something special. His speech during the aforementioned episode could be seen as his defining moment, where he told viewers that he was just an ‘idiot, with a box and a screwdriver’, confirming that he was the same Doctor we’d come to love over the years. However, I think he was a perfect version of our favourite Time Lord from the minute he hit our screens. This Doctor began his tenure with rough edges, a harsher version of the character we knew. But this meant that his later, softer moments equalled so much more; they were earned, meaningful. Behind every grumpy retort was a Doctor who was revealing his truth: his past, his age, his trauma. The Eleventh Doctor had his moments of anger, and the Ninth Doctor was often rude to the people around him. These traits that carried over into the Twelfth Doctor put the character o…

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Peter Davison and Elizabeth Morton on Doctor Who, David Tennant and saving the universe
type: item
date: 2023-09-29T07:00:11.000Z
creator: Beth Axford
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: 60 Days of Doctor Who
subject: Interview
description: The time-travelling family chat exclusively to RadioTimes.com.
encoded: Peter Davison and his wife Elizabeth Morton have boundless connections to Doctor Who. Davison debuted as the Fifth Doctor in 1982, piloting the TARDIS until 1984. His daughter, Georgia Tennant, was cast as the Doctor’s daughter in 2008, and later married Tenth Doctor David Tennant - who returns to the show as the Fourteenth Doctor this autumn. Morton writes saga novels set in the early 1900s, bringing readers back in time - just like the TARDIS. The time-travelling family spans decades of Doctor Who and historical adventures, leaving a legacy that is only continuing. "I’m tempted to say that I don’t know anything else now!" laughs Davison as we approach the topic of how much the show has penetrated their lives. "It’s just been a part of my life for so long. From when I first started watching it to, remarkably, being offered the part - and then having a daughter who then had a part in it and then ended up marrying… well, basically, me!" As we discuss the impact of the show on their lives, the conversation turns to their two sons - "One of whom announced earlier this year that he was going to sit down and watch every single Doctor Who story!" describes Davison, laughing at the challenge that many fans of the show attempt to complete at least once in their lives. Morton, having married Davison in 2003, became aware of Doctor Who through his ongoing involvement at conventions. Featuring cast and crew from TV and film, conventions and comic-cons have become a regular staple for most Who actors, getting to meet fans, sign autographs and carry on their participation in the show’s long history. "Meeting the fans was just such a phenomenon that was so new to me, so strange and positive!" she explains. Welcome to 60 Days of Doctor Who, RadioTimes.com's ultimate celebration of all things Who as the show gears up for its 60th anniversary. We'll be bringing you 60 days of exclusive Doctor Who content, from interviews and newsletter takeovers with the show's stars to the hottest …

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Are Doctor Who’s companions more important than the Doctor?
type: item
date: 2023-09-27T07:00:29.000Z
creator: Beth Axford
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: 60 Days of Doctor Who
subject: Comment
description: The Doctor needs us as much as we need them.
encoded: For almost six decades, viewers all over the world have been turning to Doctor Who for adventures filled with aliens, time travel and endless possibilities. With a main character whose face changes every few years and decades worth of stories to watch, read and listen to, what is it that makes it so special? In a cosmos filled with Time Lord lore, it is arguably the Doctor’s companions who are most important to the show - and our entry point into this vast and complicated world. Growing up with Doctor Who, it was often the companions I related to the most. While I felt that the Doctor reflected some of my life and feelings, I also wanted to be more like them and, despite my connection to them, their world seemed so far away. It was the companions within each season that made me connect so strongly to the stories. In many ways, the Doctor’s friends are us. When Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) enters the TARDIS for the first time, or Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie) steps foot on her first alien world, we’re discovering the universe through their eyes. We’re wearing Rose’s pink hoodie or Bill’s high-top trainers. The Doctor may be mad and odd and brilliant, but the people surrounding them are what grounds the show and makes it so loveable. Welcome to 60 Days of Doctor Who, RadioTimes.com's ultimate celebration of all things Who as the show gears up for its 60th anniversary. We'll be bringing you 60 days of exclusive Doctor Who content, from interviews and newsletter takeovers with the show's stars to the hottest takes from our team of Doctor Who superfans. Stay tuned! When Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) felt she wasn’t good enough, we saw ourselves in her. When Graham O’Brien (Bradley Walsh) mourned the loss of his wife, his grief reminded us of our own. When Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) found a best friend in the Doctor, we found ourselves loving him, too. When these characters stepped aboard a spaceship that could take them anywhere at any time, we journeyed with them, transportin…

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How Doctor Who: Redacted links with Doctor Who's 60th anniversary specials
type: item
date: 2023-09-26T11:49:04.000Z
creator: Beth Axford
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
description: Warning: spoilers ahead!
encoded: Doctor Who has had its fair share of spin-offs over the years, becoming the ‘Whoniverse’ with shows such as The Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood. Last year, the franchise launched a podcast series tie-in – Doctor Who: Redacted. With lead writer Juno Dawson and a stellar cast including Charlie Craggs, Louis Chimimba and Holly Quin-Ankrah, the show is now back for a second season and this time it links with its parent show, Doctor Who, even further. The BBC Sounds show is fronted by three queer, female characters who have their very own mystery podcast all about the Doctor’s blue box - ‘The Blue Box Files’. The first season comprised 10 episodes about a deadly virus that wiped anyone and everyone who had ever known the Doctor from the universe. Filled with Who throwbacks, Easter eggs and Whoniverse characters galore, the show even included a special appearance from the Thirteenth Doctor - Jodie Whittaker - just months before she regenerated. It ended with Cleo Proctor (Redacted’s main heroine) begging to travel in the TARDIS, but ultimately staying behind to figure her life out. Careful, Redacted season 2 spoilers ahead! Season 2 of the show launched on 18th September, and although the Doctor doesn’t appear this time round, this series has a special link to the upcoming 60th anniversary episodes. During the ‘Blue Box Files’ gang’s latest adventure, villainess Honour Brady is determined to get to the Doctor and steal their TARDIS. She is the landlord of thousands of alien refugees hidden under London’s tube network, aptly named ‘London Underground’, and also happens to be head over heels for Cleo’s love interest, Apex Costa. Apex fails in his mission to find the Doctor for Honour and raids alien artefacts all over Earth while trying to do so. Meanwhile, Cleo also can’t seem to get in touch with the Time Lord, despite calling and leaving many voicemails. Read more: William Hartnell predicted Doctor Who "could go on forever" Doctor Who's Alex Kingston on hiding River …

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Peter Davison reveals scrapped plans for Five(ish) Doctors Reboot follow-up
type: item
date: 2023-07-04T11:33:28.000Z
creator: Beth Axford
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
description: He spoke about the prospect of a new skit for the 60th anniversary.
encoded: Fifth Doctor Peter Davison has exclusively revealed his plans to create a follow-up to his hit 2013 sketch, The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot, for this year’s 60th anniversary of Doctor Who. The original skit celebrated 50 years of the legendary show and featured Davison alongside Sixth Doctor Colin Baker and Seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy, attempting to sneak their way into a role in the coveted 50th anniversary episode Day of the Doctor. With guest appearances from Doctor Who alumni such as David Tennant, Paul McGann, Matt Smith and a whole host of companions, the film was a success and beloved by fans around the world who hoped to catch a glimpse of past Doctors and friends for the anniversary celebrations. Speaking on the prospect of a follow-up 60th anniversary spoof, Davison and his wife – author Elizabeth Morton – have confirmed that a new sketch was planned, but eventually scrapped. Read more: Doctor Who's Peter Davison "always happy" to come back to the show Doctor Who stars Ncuti Gatwa and Bonnie Langford film dramatic scenes "I came up with an idea. It was deemed, by those I showed it to, as utterly unacceptable, although I thought it was very funny!” Elaborating on the scrapped script, Davison explained: “It’s a different world now. And I am always – I wouldn’t say – pushing the boundaries. My sense of humour is maybe a little out of sync with the sense of humour that now exists…" The pair went on to discuss trying to top the original version and what it would take to create something just as brilliant and celebratory. “It was so perfect, and it just evolved – it started off so small, Peter was just going to film it himself. But the whole thing became – suddenly you’d go, ‘Ian McKellen has agreed to be in it!' Peter Jackson said, ‘Pop by!' It was phenomenal. "To get that perfect storm, I think it would diminish the original Five(ish) Doctors if you tried to do it again," said Morton. “I wouldn’t have wanted to do it anyway unless I thought it could be as good…

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Doctor Who - Worlds of Wonder review: Educational, inspirational and a fan's dream
type: item
date: 2022-05-27T13:35:00.000Z
creator: Beth Axford
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
description: A new exhibition in Liverpool combines authentic props from the series with scientific teaching to great effect.
encoded: If you’ve ever wondered how the TARDIS is bigger on the inside or pondered how far off we are from teleporting around the universe like The Doctor and co, you may just find the answers at Doctor Who: Worlds of Wonder, a new exhibition opening today (27th May) at World Museum in Liverpool. Matching Doctor Who props, costumes and ideas with detailed explanations of the science behind the show, Worlds of Wonder is not only a Doctor Who fan’s dream, but an educational tool and exciting lens through which to view the Whoniverse. The extensive exhibition has been lovingly curated by Sarner International, the same brainchild behind previous Doctor Who exhibit the Doctor Who Experience. The show brings together the excitement of getting up close and personal with Who props whilst also educating visitors on concepts such as teleportation, cloning and space travel. There’s a focus on the scientific inspiration behind our favourite monsters and episodes, as well as theories on how the show’s more fantastical elements might actually be possible. "There will be an opportunity for visitors to get to grips with some of the scientific ideas that have inspired the show’s writers for decades; things like astronomy and astrobiology, quantum physics, evolution, cybernetics and nature itself," Fiona Philpot, director of exhibitions at National Museums Liverpool, told RadioTimes.com. "It’s a wonder to behold, and perhaps a rediscovery of elements of the show that seasoned fans know and love." Upon entering the exhibition through oversized TARDIS doors, visitors are greeted with a replica of the First Doctor’s TARDIS console, setting the scene with a bit of Doctor Who history. What follows is an interactive tour through space, time and science, complete with specially-shot video content featuring Doctor Who writer Mark Gatiss and scientists such as Maggie Aderin-Pocock. For visitors who aren’t familiar with the show, there’s plenty to entertain. Pairing Doctor Who lore with educational ac…

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Every Easter egg from Doctor Who: Redacted episode 1
type: item
date: 2022-04-19T08:50:48.000Z
creator: Beth Axford
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
description: Every reference to Whostory you might have missed.
encoded: Episode 1 of new Doctor Who spin-off podcast Doctor Who: Redacted launched on Sunday after the show’s adventurous Easter special, Legend of the Sea Devils. The 10-part series will follow three university drop-outs, Cleo, Shawna and Abby, who run their own conspiracy podcast ‘The Blue Box Files.' The trio find themselves wrapped up in their own blue box mystery: everyone who has met the Doctor is disappearing, being forgotten. Bringing together characters and storylines from all over the Whoniverse, the first episode is filled to the brim with Easter eggs, references and exciting cameos. Read on for a full list of all the fun references to Whostory in Doctor Who: Redacted episode 1. Adipose Industries/Penny Carter The first Blue Box Files episode we hear focuses on the events of Partners in Crime (2008). This Tenth Doctor adventure saw the Doctor and Donna Noble tackle Adipose Industries, a diet pill company that turned people’s fat into baby aliens called Adipose. Cleo, Abby and Shawna discuss the events of the alien invasion and interview Penny Carter, a journalist who investigated the adipose pills at the time. During Partners in Crime, Penny’s efforts to uncover the mystery are thwarted by the Doctor and Donna on multiple occasions and she leaves the story exclaiming that she will report the time-travelling duo for ‘madness’. While being interviewed, Penny explains that she saw aliens and a man in a blue box but the details after that are a little sketchy. This is the first character we meet who can no longer remember our favourite Time Lord at all. She just remembers one thing – he was called the Doctor. The Powell Estate While the Blue Box Files trio are retelling the day the adipose invaded, Cleo mentions a ‘drunk woman’ from the Powell Estate who was ‘always going on about it’. Famously home to Rose Tyler, Jackie Tyler and Mickey Smith, the Powell Estate was the centre of many Who stories during 2005 and 2006. From Autons and Slitheen to Pilot Fish and Cyberm…

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Doctor Who deserves praise for shining a light on overlooked historical women
type: item
date: 2022-04-14T16:20:32.000Z
creator: Beth Axford
subject: Sci-fi
subject: TV
subject: Comment
description: Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall's era of the BBC sci-fi series has broken barriers by centring female stories – long may it continue.
encoded: Doctor Who has a good track record for educating viewers on historical figures, with various versions of the time-travelling Doctor (especially in the post-2005 series) meeting significant faces from the past in different episodes. But of those the Doctor has met on screen, the list up until 2018 consisted mostly of men. While there were a few exceptions (such as Agatha Christie, Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria in the Tennant years), it wasn't until the arrival of showrunner Chris Chibnall and Thirteenth Doctor Jodie Whittaker that the scales became more balanced. In just three seasons, Whittaker's Doctor has now met several incredible women from history, highlighting their stories and educating viewers on often-overlooked parts of the past. We’ve had some already well-known icons at the forefront of recent episodes, such as Mary Shelley and Rosa Parks. But subsequent episodes have also highlighted figures that rarely get the spotlight, such as wartime spy Noor Inayat Khan or medical hero Mary Seacole. Altogether, the current era of Doctor Who has been a beacon for representation, uncovering hidden stories and revisiting overlooked parts of history. Now, for upcoming Easter special Legend of the Sea Devils, the show will feature Madame Ching, a Chinese pirate leader from the 1800s rarely counted alongside the likes of Blackbeard despite her huge impact on society at the time she was alive. Isn't it time we gave Chris Chibnall some credit for telling these sorts of stories? After all, it's been there since the beginning of this era. During Whittaker and Chibnall’s first season of Who, the Doctor and her gang met Rosa Parks. The civil rights activist, who protested segregation by refusing to give up her seat for a white passenger on a bus in 1955, was the first historical person of colour in an episode whose story was the main focus (the show previously featured Queen Nefertiti as an incidental character in 2012, who at this point was the only other person of col…

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