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Doctor Who's 20 years of New Who celebrated on special Radio Times covers

Russell T Davies talks bringing Doctor Who back from oblivion in this week's anniversary special – plus the 20 must-see episodes to watch now!

Colin Bell/Matt Holyoak/Mark Harrison/Richard Grassie/Ray Burmiston/James Pardon/BBC Studios

• Shem Law

Published: Tuesday, 18 March 2025 at 12:01 am

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This week we celebrate two decades of what those in the know at Radio Times call New Who. It was in 2005 when Russell T Davies, through his extraordinary drive and determination, rebooted the much loved but dormant sci-fi drama Doctor Who.

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Reinventing (or regenerating) something for an entirely new generation was a risk as there were many fans of the original show who would have strong opinions. And they did. But I sat down with an excited eight-year-old to watch and it was electrifying.

I could see how Davies's vision connected with a new audience. And to this day there are heated arguments about who was the best (new) Doctor. Everyone had their Doctor it seems. (I always felt that Patrick Troughton had the edge over Jon Pertwee, so I know how deep such feelings can go.)

We asked Russell T Davies what the secret to Doctor Who's continuing popularity is and he told us, "It's different every single week: not just on a different planet, but often a different genre, the cast keeps changing and that keeps people excited."

Find out more for yourself in his fascinating interview in this week's issue. And if you've never travelled with the new Doctors through time and space, maybe now's the ideal moment. We've picked 20 of the most important episodes, one for each year, to get you started.

"Go on, have a jelly baby," as legendary Doctor Tom Baker used to say...

The latest issue of Radio Times is out now – subscribe here.

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Ray Burmiston

James Pardon/BBC Studios

Also in this week's Radio Times:

• Kris Marshall and co are back in the crime drama spin-off Beyond Paradise.
• What food would the Great British Menu judges serve to honour their great Britons?
• Black Mirror returns... and what's Paul Giamatti doing with an old Polaroid?

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Authors

Shem Law

Shem Law is the brand editor of Radio Times, and the 20th person to hold that esteemed position in over 100 years. He wasn't allowed a television growing up, but over the years he has rather overcompensated for that fact.

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