Doctor Who fans complaining about the newly announced kids' cartoon should grow up, according to Metro's deputy TV editor Tom Percival. The BBC announced a new animated series called Doctor Who: TARDIS Crew, featuring a blue-haired Doctor, following months of speculation about the franchise's future.
The show is intended to give devoted followers something to enjoy while the BBC begins a tender process for the main live-action series. However, a section of the fandom reacted angrily online, with some claiming the franchise is dead.
Fans React Angrily to Announcement
On X, @DiscussThing wrote: 'The Doctor Who franchise is dead and decomposing after violently being mauled for years.' @themasething said: 'Doctor Who is officially dead at this point. You never come back from the kids' slope.' @lokinuenl asked: 'Guys, be honest, is it over?'
Percival argues it is not over, noting that the BBC is demonstrating its continuing commitment to Doctor Who by producing the cartoon. He compares the move to the 'Wilderness Years' of the 16-year gap, when the franchise was kept alive by comics and radio dramas, but points out that Doctor Who will still be on TV.
Franchise Remains a Family Show
He also reminds fans that Doctor Who is a family show, referencing iconic elements like a dog made of tinfoil and Hoover parts and the Daleks as 'racist pepperpots.' He suggests that seriousness and maturity are not the same thing, using Scrubs and Grey's Anatomy as examples of how a silly show can be mature and vice versa.
Percival concludes by noting that the BBC has put the live-action show out to tender, and reports suggest Jed Mercurio of Line of Duty fame is interested in making the next series. He advises complaining fans to grow up.
