The overnight ratings are in for Ncuti Gatwa’s debut as the Doctor in The BBC’s Christmas day special and they are not good.
Ncuti Gatwa as the 15th Doctor in Doctor Who Christmas Special “The Church on Ruby Road” (2023), BBC
The BBC reports, the Doctor Who special “The Church on Ruby Road” only saw viewership at 4.7 million. This is just marginally better than the final 60th anniversary special that saw Gatwa take over as the Doctor in “The Giggle.” That episode had viewership of 4.62 million.
The other two previous 60th Anniversary specials featuring David Tennant as the Doctor saw viewership at 5.08 million and 4.83 million.
David Tennant as the 14th Doctor in Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Special “The Giggle” (2023), BBC
In fact, Gatwa’s debut ratings as the Doctor are some of the worst in the entire show’s history. Jodie Whittaker’s debut episode “The Woman Who Fell to Earth” had overall viewership of 10.96 million.
Peter Capaldi’s debut as the 12th Doctor in “Deep Breath” saw viewership at 9.17 million back in 2014. Matt Smith’s debut in “The Eleventh Hour” in 2010 saw viewership hit 10.08 million. Tennant’s 10th Doctor appeared at the end of “The Parting of the Ways” back in 2005 and had viewership totaling 6.91 million. His first episode by himself, “The Christmas Invasion” hit 9.84 million viewers.
Christopher Eccleston’s 9th Doctor premiere in “Rose” in 2005 saw viewership hit 10.81 million.
A goblin n Doctor Who Christmas Special “The Church on Ruby Road” (2023), BBC
Looking even further back, Paul McGann’s 8th Doctor, who appeared in “The TV Movie” had viewership hit 9.08 million in 1996.
In 1987, Sylvester McCoy’s debut “Time and the Rani: Part One” saw viewership hit 5.1 million.
Colin Baker’s debut in “The Caves of Andronzani: Part Four” had viewership of 7.8 million. However, his first debut by himself was in “The Twin Dilemma: Part One.” That episode’s viewership was 7.6 million.
Peter Davison’s debut in “Castrovalva: Part One” in 1982 had viewership hit 9.10 million.
Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday in Doctor Who Christmas Special “The Church on Ruby Road” (2023), BBC
Tom Baker’s Fourth Doctor debuted back in 1974 in “Robot: Part One” to the tune of 12.10 million.
Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor debuted in “Spearhead from Space: Episode 1.” It’s viewership hit 8.4 million.
Patrick Troughton’s Second Doctor’s “The Power of the Daleks: Episode One” debuted in 1966 with 7.9 million viewers tuning in.
Finally, William Hartnell’s First Doctor debuted in “An Unearthly Child” back in 1963. It’s the only premiere that Gatwa’s Doctor beats. It premiered with 4.4 million viewers. However, Hartnell’s First Doctor would see viewership increase over the next 10 episodes. Initially, it increased to 5.9 million. In the third episode it went up to 6.9 million. By episode 7 it hit 8.9 million. With episode 8 it increased to 9.9 million. By episode 10 it hit 10.4 million.
Ncuti Gatwa as the 15th Doctor in Doctor Who Christmas Special “The Church on Ruby Road” (2023), BBC
What do you make of these poor Doctor Who viewership numbers?
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