Series 11 -

Series 11 introduced three companions at once: Ryan Sinclair (Tosin Cole), a dyspraxic young man; Graham O’Brien (Bradley Walsh), his cancer-survivor step-grandfather; and Yazmin Khan (Mandip Gill), an ambitious police officer. For the first time, the TARDIS felt like a found family—or “the fam,” as the Doctor calls them.

But to dismiss Series 11 is to miss its quiet revolution. It proved that Doctor Who could be kind, diverse, and hopeful without losing its weirdness. And in an era of grimdark reboots, a show about a quirky alien who insists on saying “team TARDIS” and never carrying a weapon felt not just nostalgic, but necessary. series 11

The strength of this era is its grounded humanity. Graham’s grief over his late wife Grace, Ryan’s struggle with his absent father, and Yaz’s feeling of being overlooked are given space. However, the sheer number of characters often meant Yaz, in particular, was underserved, her police training used less as a skill set and more as a justification for her presence. Series 11 introduced three companions at once: Ryan

A season of noble experiments—some that soar, some that stumble. Essential viewing for Whittaker’s radiant Doctor and two of the show’s best historicals. 7/10 It proved that Doctor Who could be kind,

Ultimately, Series 11 is a transitional season that prioritizes accessibility over ambition. It simplifies the mythology, slows the pace, and focuses on character moments rather than universe-shattering arcs. For lapsed fans, it’s an easy re-entry point. For veterans, it may feel like a holding pattern.

On the other hand, the season struggled with weaker villains (the recycled The Tsuranga Conundrum and the forgetful The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos felt like filler). The decision to avoid classic monsters (no Daleks, no Cybermen) was brave, but the replacements rarely inspired fear.