Ex-Doctor Who Star Peter Davison Criticises Modern Series for Narrative Gaps, Overuse of Effects

Peter Davison, who portrayed the Fifth Doctor in the iconic BBC series Doctor Who, has criticized the modern incarnation of the show for its overreliance on special effects and fast pacing, which he believes creates "huge gaps in the narrative." Davison expressed concern that the show feels like "trailer television," rushing through scenes so quickly that viewers are expected to fill in missing story elements, a trend he attributes to network worries about audience attention spans. While he praised showrunner Russell T Davies for improving the roles of companions like Billie Piper's character, Davison cautioned that the emphasis on visual spectacle risks overshadowing storytelling. He also commented on recent casting and narrative choices, including the surprise regeneration of Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor into Billie Piper, stating uncertainty about her character's status as the Doctor. Davison contrasted Doctor Who's pace with that of modern crime dramas, which he feels allow for more deliberate storytelling. His remarks come amid fan speculation about the show's future following Gatwa's departure.