Doctor Who's Cancellation Highlights a Wider Problem for Franchises

I'm devastated by the news about Doctor Who, though not overly surprised given the current state of TV and movie fandoms. Despite the exit of Russell T Davies and the revelation that the 2026 Christmas special was never in production or written, there's still confidence the BBC will try to keep the show alive—but it's unclear whether that would be best for the series.

Fandom used to be more tolerant; even the poorest episodes prompted respectful, analytical debate. In recent years, however, anything perceived as slightly below average is met with immediate condemnation. The love for Doctor Who often now hinges on a few specific points, and many fans left when Jodie Whittaker, Peter Capaldi, or even Matt Smith took the role.

There was a time when expanding a fictional universe made it more cherished. Successful shows and movies spawned spin-offs that deepened lore and fueled joyful conversations—examples include Star Wars, the MCU, Star Trek, and Doctor Who, with spinoffs like Torchwood once enhancing the Whoniverse.

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