Shooting Stars: Modes of TV Spectacle in the Jodie Whittaker era of Doctor Who

This chapter focuses on the use of visual storytelling and spectacle in the Jodie Whittaker era of BBC TV science fiction series, Doctor Who. As such, it places the TV series into the new paradigm of television as represented by subscriber services like Netflix. Previously, the programme had been analysed in terms of its appeal to older paradigms, such as appointment TV, and where visual storytelling was deemed beyond the range and budget of the programme, and superfluous, if not a hindrance to narrative storytelling. This chapter identifies how television spectacle operates in the new series, and indeed enhances audience engagement and agency. I argue this is so by highlighting three specific modes: curiosity and criticality of content, contemplation of setting, and personalised viewing pleasures.