As a cornerstone of British television for decades, Doctor Who has birthed numerous spinoffs throughout its storied history. While many of these extensions to the Whovian universe have enjoyed varying degrees of success, some clearly outshine the others. The franchise isn’t slowing down; a new spinoff titled The War Between the Land and the Sea has recently finished filming and is slated for release in 2025. This upcoming series will showcase a clash between UNIT and the notorious Sea Devils, adding yet another layer to the expansive Doctor Who mythology. This is just one among many Doctor Who spinoffs that are anticipated in the near future.
Given the extensive nature of the Doctor Who universe, the question of what constitutes canon can be quite complex. The franchise has woven a rich tapestry of spinoffs, tie-ins, non-canonical series, webisodes, and audio dramas that all contribute to its lore. However, the nebulous nature of time travel in Doctor Who allows for a broad interpretation of what is officially included in the canon. For clarity, we will focus on actual television spinoffs or specials with a direct narrative connection to the main series, excluding holiday specials or animated adaptations of lost episodes.
4 K-9 and Company
1981
In 1981, Elisabeth Sladen made a return to the Whovian universe in K-9 and Company, which was initially conceived as a full-fledged spinoff. This series would have starred Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith, a former companion, alongside her robotic canine partner, K-9. Despite the great premise, the show never moved beyond a single pilot episode titled “A Girl’s Best Friend,”which ran for approximately 50 minutes. While Sladen and K-9 would later revisit their characters in various forms, the limited scope of K-9 and Company relegates it to the bottom of our list due to its unrealized potential.
3 Class
2016
Class occupies the third spot on our list, primarily due to its disappointing run of just one season. Centered around students at Coal Hill Academy, the show aimed to balance teenage life with encounters involving extraterrestrial threats and the Doctor himself. Critics generally praised the darker tone and engaging plot twists, promising a bright future for the series. Katherine Kelly’s portrayal of the witty Miss Quill left a lasting impression on viewers.
Despite these initial accolades, the show failed to find its footing in the UK audience, resulting in its cancellation after just eight episodes. Even a cameo by Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor in the premiere couldn’t revive its fortunes. Ultimately, Class lasted longer than K-9 and Company, placing it just above it on our ranking.
2 The Sarah Jane Adventures
2007-2011
Elisabeth Sladen found redemption with The Sarah Jane Adventures from 2007 to 2011, marking a successful revival of her character Sarah Jane Smith. The series followed an older Sarah Jane, K-9, and her son Luke, along with his friends, as they tackled various alien challenges. Essentially, it realized the vision of K-9 and Company two and a half decades later.
From its debut, The Sarah Jane Adventures was warmly embraced by fans, particularly after Sladen’s memorable return in the rebooted series’ second season. Targeted at a younger audience, the show adopted an episodic format with cliffhangers reminiscent of Classic Who. The writing was notably sharp, contributing to its positive reception, which included a rare appearance by Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor. Sadly, Sladen’s untimely passing in 2011 cut the series short, preventing it from achieving its full potential.
1 Torchwood
2006-2011
Topping our list is Torchwood, widely regarded as the flagship spinoff of the Doctor Who franchise. This series centers on Captain Jack Harkness, expertly portrayed by John Barrowman, and his team at the clandestine Torchwood Institute. Barrowman’s charismatic portrayal is a focal point of the series, bringing a mix of charm and humor to a complex narrative.
Distinguished for its mature themes, Torchwood boldly incorporates LGBTQ+ representation while delving into profound issues such as the nature of humanity, ethics, and power dynamics. Its uneven execution at times is outweighed by its high points, which garnered a dedicated fanbase, including viewers who had never seen the original Doctor Who. This cult-like following cements Torchwood as not just a successful spinoff, but a groundbreaking entity in its own right.
In summary, while other Doctor Who spinoffs may be evaluated based on how well they fit into the overarching narrative, Torchwood stands alone as a pivotal work that has left an indelible mark on the franchise and its audience.
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