The BBC has broadcast an eyebrow-raising parody of its own recent Doctor Who series, which skewers the show as “lazily-written mawkishness” and mocks lead actor Ncuti Gatwa’s recent regeneration into Billie Piper as having been planned to generate “clicks.”
The skit, aired as part of BBC Radio 4 comedy series Dead Ringers (thanks, Screen Rant), critiques the broadcaster’s flagship sci-fi show in a scene in which Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor defeats a CGI monster via the power of “unearned sentimentality.”
Overall, it’s a startling take on the recent episodes — despite their mixed reaction from fans — considering it comes from the BBC itself, and at a time when Doctor Who’s own future feels far from certain.
“It’s time for the last in the series of Doctor Who,” the skit begins, as a continuity announcer introduces the next episode. “It’s still going! Yes, I was suprised too.” Ouch.
Currently, the BBC has not commented on when new episodes of Doctor Who will resume production, something which seemingly rests on whether Disney will continue its co-funding deal for the series. But as time passes since the most recent season finale, and a recent animated spin-off looks set to be made without Disney’s involvement, fans suspect the Disney deal will not be renewed, leaving the BBC in need of a replacement.
As the skit continues, Ncuti Gatwa’s incarnation of the Doctor, here portrayed by impressionist Jon Culshaw, describes himself as “woke, touchy-feely,” and the show’s current roster of diverse side-characters are also highlighted.
“Do you think lazily-written mawkishness is going to scare me?” says the villain, which is simply referred to as a CGI Monster. In response, the Doctor asks his companion to complement him, causing the enemy to die “of cringe.”
“I can’t take the Hallmark card triteness of your empty platitudes!” the monster says.
“It’s working!” notes the Doctor’s companion. “The power of unearned sentimentality in the script is poison to it!”
Finally, the parody’s version of Ncuti Gatwa departs, in a line which ridicules the shock appearance of former Doctor Who star Billie Piper in a yet-to-be confirmed new role.
“Laters, I’m off to regenerate into Billie Piper for clicks,” the parody Doctor says.
CRIKEY! Dead Ringers went after, REALLY went after, Doctor Who! “It worked! It died of cringe.” 😬 #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/sr6DMXgydP
— Cameron Yarde Jnr (@CameronYardeJnr) June 14, 2025
Online response to the skit is mixed, with many calling it unfunny, and suggesting that criticism of the show’s inclusivity is unecessary — though complaints around its writing were valid.
“A shame that this is not particularly funny but a pretty blatant breakdown of what has happened in at least the last two finales,” wrote one fan.
“The bit that should give RTD nightmares is that about 40% was genuine dialogue,” another fan wrote, referring to the skit’s use of actual lines written by current Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies.
Many fans expressed surprise the BBC had broadcast a parody of its own show, and doubted whether highlighting the series’ perceived flaws in this manner had been good idea.
“Might be the only time I’ve heard something satirical be unfunny because it’s so accurate,” one fan wrote. “There weren’t any jokes, it was just describing what happened in Boomer language.”
“This just seems lazy,” said another. “Shame cause, even as a Doctor Who fan, I think the show kinda deserves to be laughed at atm.”
“Piss poor comedy takedown of a now piss poor Doctor Who,” another fan concluded. “At least the BBC are consistent.”
Doctor Who’s most recent season finale was reportedly affected by extensive reshoots, an actor’s social media account has now confirmed, allegedly due to Ncuti Gatwa’s decision to leave the series.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
