Why Current Doctor Who Is Losing Public Favour, What the Data Reveals
Feature by Joel Lewis.
This week marked 20 years since Doctor Who returned to our screens in 2005. As a statistics nerd, I was curious to see how the show is currently perceived with hard data, especially with such a milestone being reached. Conveniently, YouGov released a poll to mark the anniversary, offering some rather eye-opening insights into how the UK public feels about Doctor Who right now.
Because this is a YouGov poll, known for surveying a broad cross-section of the UK population, the results give us a reliable snapshot of more mainstream opinion. And, unfortunately, it is not all that flattering. For a series that has spanned just over six decades, the data suggests Doctor Who is now more of a niche interest than the cultural pillar it once was.
The Basics
According to the survey, 26% of UK adults said they have never seen either version of the show, not the classic run from 1963 to 1989, and not the modern revival that has been on air since 2005. Among 18 to 24-year-olds, that figure jumps to a staggering 39%, suggesting the show is, in spite of RTDs assurances, struggling to connect with younger generations.
And even among those who have watched Doctor Who, the level of enthusiasm is underwhelming. 20% said they prefer the classic series, while just 15% favoured the current version. Another 10% liked both about the same, but 20% said they do not like either. On top of that, 9% said they did not know what they thought.
So What Does this Mean?
Looking at the age breakdown, older generations, who likely grew up with or remember watching the original series, are unsurprisingly more loyal to the classic era. Among over-65s, 34% prefer the original Doctor Who, while only 4% support the current iteration. The 50 to 64 group shows a similar trend: 32% for classic, just 10% for current.
Younger viewers are more inclined to favour the revival era, particularly those who grew up with it, but even in the most supportive group, 18 to 24-year-olds, only 26% said they preferred the modern version. That number drops to 22% among 25 to 49-year-olds, which is concerning considering this age group is arguably the core audience the current series should be engaging most. In short, enthusiasm for modern Doctor Who isn’t particularly strong, even among those you’d expect to be most invested in it.
Worse still, the younger the respondent, the more likely they were to have never seen Doctor Who at all. Nearly 40% of 18 to 24s and 31% of 25 to 49s said they had never watched either version, compared to just 15% of those aged 50 to 64. That feels like a huge red flag. The show is clearly not breaking through to newer generations the way it once did.
And this is not just about generational preferences. General apathy cuts across the board. Around 20 to 22% of every age group said they do not like either version, and “don’t know” responses sit between 8 and 12%. That suggests a consistent level of disinterest among the wider public, not just in younger viewers, but across all demographics.
The Big Picture
At least from where I’m sitting: older audiences are keeping the flame of the classic series alive. The current era has some support among younger viewers, but even that is relatively soft, and among older viewers, support for the new era is virtually non-existent. Most concerning of all, the youngest adults are the most disengaged altogether. And if there’s one thing this franchise needs to stay relevant, it is a new generation of fans.
None of this is entirely shocking, especially given that Doctor Who’s most recent run with Ncuti Gatwa in the lead did not exactly light up the ratings. And even RTD acknowledged the problems. While some fans like this current iteration, the overall audience figures didn’t reflect a resurgence in cultural relevance.
With Gatwa’s second season on the way very soon, there is still hope the show might find its spark again. As someone who genuinely wants to see the show succeed, I’d love to see it reconnect with the wider public again. If current Doctor Who is going to continue, this poll makes one thing very clear: it needs to reconnect with old and new fans alike. And fast.
