Doctor Who: The ultimate long-running show

There are many well-loved and popular long running shows around today. There’s Grey’s Anatomy for the medical enthusiasts, The Simpsons for American sitcom lovers, Supernatural for those who like folklore and The X Files for the alien conspiracists. There is something addictive about watching episode after episode, season after season, knowing that there’s much more where that came from, with seemingly no end in sight. For some television shows, their long-standing story arcs are well thought out and never dull, while some simply burn out. When asked to think of long running television shows, the first one to come to mind is Doctor Who. A programme that may have had its ups and downs but never ceases to progress with the times, becoming a not only prevalent association of the UK, but a common childhood trauma for many.

Doctor Who, the epitome of British television, has been running since 1963 thus making it one of the longest running television programmes. It is, arguably, one of the primary shows associated with British culture, influencing many people to travel from far and wide to visit iconic settings and, of course, to snap a photo with a Tardis somewhere around London. With fans varying from young to old, it’s a show that seems to have a generational hold on everyone who’s ever watched it.

Doctor Who never seems to lose its spark

With a revival in 2005 starring Christopher Eccleston, who took on the role of the ninth regeneration of the Time Lord, the show has been steadily continuing to air its episodes every year. Still thriving today, 2025 introduced previous Sex Education actor Nctui Gatwa as our new, camp and enigmatic Doctor. From adventures that you could never guess the direction of, to the impressively creative fabrication of new monsters, aliens and creatures, Doctor Who never seems to lose its spark and quirk despite being around for over six decades. It’s a favourite of mine, having started watching from a young age and becoming instantly terrified of the Weeping Angels. Now every year, I look forward to the big announcement of a new season, a different face for the Doctor and, of course, the new apprentices.

What I appreciate with a show as traditional as Doctor Who is the consistency of quality of character development, as well as their ability to always pick the perfect actor for the role of Doctor and companion. With every new regeneration and new personality, comes a sidekick who compliments the dynamic, making each episode an entertaining watch as they are thrown into endlessly dangerous situations which tests the boundaries of trust. Doctor Who is a show that is accessible to all ages, generations and interests, with parents and grandparents lighting the flame, and the younger generation taking the torch and continuing to fuel it. The show instils a sense of nostalgia, watching how old monsters have become more detailed, to witnessing a push for representation and diversity of characters and roles.

Its legacy will forever be immortalised

Doctor Who may not be everyone’s cup of tea, with fans being split on the direction of the show, the casting or the general writing, but for those who look past these aspects and are here for entertainment and sense of escape from the chaos of Earth, it truly is a show that has shaped many, becoming a timeless piece of media that everyone has heard of. It has become a staple of TV, and with the future of the show uncertain, I say with certainty that it has truly done well for itself and its legacy will forever be immortalised.