Doctor Who Season 14 Rotten Tomatoes Score Lives Up To David Tennant & Matt Smith’s Era
SUMMARY
- Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor Who debut season has earned high Rotten Tomatoes scores, surpassing the David Tennant-led specials.
- Season 14’s first two episodes scored 100% fresh from 28 critics, positioning Gatwa’s Doctor among the series’ best.
- Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor will be joined by newcomer companion Ruby Sunday in an eight-episode season.
The Rotten Tomatoes scores for Ncuti Gatwa’s debut Doctor Who season have been gathered, as season 14’s premiere episodes rank high among the series’ best years alongside David Tennant’s and Matt Smith’s tenures. While Gatwa has now portrayed the Time Lord in two prior adventures across specials released in 2023, the actor’s first full season as the Fifteenth Doctor will consist of eight episodes. Gatwa’s Doctor will not be alone, as 2023 seasonal special companion Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson, joins the TARDIS crew.
Ahead of Doctor Who season 14’s worldwide premiere, Gatwa’s stories have already gathered a high Rotten Tomatoes score. The first two episodes earned a score of 100% from 28 critics’ reviews. With his debut, Gatwa’s adventures currently surpass the David Tennant-led specials’ 95%, and standing among the accumulated 100% of both Tennant’s Tenth Doctor tenure and Matt Smith’s three seasons as the Eleventh incarnation of the Doctor above the still impressive high scores of the series’ revival. Check out how the various seasons of Doctor Who compare on RT below:
| Doctor Who Season | Rotten Tomatoes Average |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | 85% |
| Season 2 | 100% |
| Season 3 | 100% |
| Season 4 | 100% |
| Season 5 | 100% |
| Season 6 | 100% |
| Season 7 | 100% |
| Season 8 | 88% |
| Season 9 | 90% |
| Season 10 | 88% |
| Season 11 | 90% |
| Season 12 | 78% |
| Season 13 (Flux) | 82% |
| 60th Anniversary Special | 95% |
| Season 14 (Episodes 1 and 2) | 100% |
Doctor Who’s Early Reviews Are A Good Sign For The Series’ Future
For a new era under the leadership of returning showrunner Russell T Davies with the backing of both the BBC and The Walt Disney Company, Doctor Who season 14’s premiere’s high score is a promising sign for the series’ longevity and future. After a complicated reception to story developments and troubled development amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that could have spelled another end for the series, Davies’ constant promotion and back-to-back productions for the 60th anniversary and both seasons 14 and 15 has rebuilt excitement for the show. With this, Doctor Who may be ready to expand.
While the current Disney/BBC production agreement only saw the commission of two new seasons of the show, Davies hasn’t been coy about his intentions to see Doctor Who become a property that can rival the likes of Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Though season 14 is yet to premiere, season 15 is already reaching the end of its production, and Davies has stated he is developing a season 16, despite no official renewal being given. Furthermore, the showrunner has confirmed that spin-offs are in active development, with a Sea Devil-centered spin-off rumored to start production in 2024.
Doctor Who season 14’s high ratings are sure to leave both viewers and voices behind the series excited to see more. Gatwa has already enjoyed one of the strongest debuts out of the Doctors, and season 14 seems prepared to continue his winning streak as audiences learn more about just who the Fifteenth Doctor is. Furthermore, with a fresh new approach to the show’s formula, critics seem to approve Davies’ new vision for the series.
