Doctor Who Producer Hinchcliffe Favors Longer, Multi-Episode Stories

Doctor Who producer Philip Hinchcliffe recently shared his thoughts on the ideal format for the beloved series. He believes that a return to the classic feature-length story told in segments would be beneficial. This format was prevalent during his time running the show in the 1970s, particularly during the Tom Baker era. Hinchcliffe, known for his work on popular episodes inspired by classic horror movies, sees the value in longer, multi-episode stories.

At a recent BFI Southbank event celebrating the release of Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 13 Blu-ray box set, Hinchcliffe expressed his preference for a 100-minute story split into four 25-minute segments. According to him, this duration allows for ample character development, suspense-building, and emotional investment in the story. Hinchcliffe emphasized the importance of exploring not just the main characters but also the supporting cast in-depth.

The debate over episode length and storytelling style has been ongoing since the series was revived in 2005 under Russell T Davies. The shift to 44-minute self-contained episodes brought Doctor Who more in line with American hour-long dramas. However, some fans have voiced concerns about the rushed storytelling and limited room for character exploration.

Despite these debates, the show’s ability to evolve and adapt to changing television formats is evident. From multi-episode arcs to shorter, self-contained episodes, Doctor Who continues to find new ways to engage its audience. As former showrunner Steven Moffat mentioned, the series has the potential for even more transformations in the future.

As we eagerly anticipate the next season of Doctor Who, it’s clear that the show will continue to evolve in response to the demands of modern television. Whether it’s through longer, feature-length stories or innovative narrative structures, the essence of Doctor Who’s storytelling remains timeless and adaptable.