While Doctor Who has not been afraid to break the fourth wall in the past, and have characters speak directly to the viewers watching at home, Russell T Davies's new era has been notable for its particularly prominent usage of the device.
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Not only has Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor done it, winking to camera near the end of The Devil's Chord, but Anita Dobson's mysterious Mrs Flood has done it on multiple occasions, including at the very end of the most recent season.
Now, speaking at San Diego Comic-Con, Davies has addressed these fourth wall breaks, saying: "It’s part of the show going forward, breaking the fourth wall."
Davies also addressed whether there would be more music in the upcoming season, after The Devil's Chord centred so heavily around it, to which he said: "I can promise you more music! There’s more music. It’s not a musical, but there’s an episode that’s packed full of songs."
Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood in Doctor Who episode Empire of Death. BBC
Davies told SFX Magazine: "That hasn’t been explained, and it might never be, frankly. It’s very interesting, within the Doctor Who offices, we know exactly why that happens and yet I’m showing no sign of putting that on screen.
"There is actually a reason for it that was in a very early draft of The Star Beast. But I see no need to explain it whatsoever. My sister watches that, she doesn’t blink. She actually doesn’t blink when a character turns to camera and gives them a wink.
"I mean, you would if it was Pride and Prejudice, that would be odd. But there’s something showy about Doctor Who, there’s something proscenium arch about it. There’s something arch about it, full stop."
As part of the San Diego Comic-Con panel, Davies also confirmed a new spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea, which will star Russell Tovey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jemma Redgrave and Alexander Devrient.
Doctor Who will return at Christmas on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.Previous seasons are available to stream on BBC iPlayer with episodes of the classic series also available on BritBox – you can sign up for a 7-day free trial here.
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
