WARNING: This article contains huge spoilers for Doctor Who season 12, Episode One.
Doctor Who (played by Jodie Whittaker) hadn’t been seen on screens since New Year’s Day 2019, when the Gallifreyan battled a lone and sinister Dalek. Although the Time Lord saved the world, it wasn’t until last night the dual-hearted alien returned for a new season on the BBC and came face-to-face with her arch nemesis, who she believed to be dead. The action-packed scenes took viewers across the world and to far-reaching extraterrestrial planets, however, it didn’t seem to pack a punch with the show’s huge fan base. In fact, actress Jodie’s, 37, second outing as the iconic sci-fi character didn’t draw in as many viewers as her debut back in 2018.
The former Broadchurch star took on the role of the Time Lord from Peter Capaldi, 61, at the end of the show’s Christmas Special in 2017.
Jodie became the first woman to portray the Gallifreyan in the sci-fi series’ 67 year history, making her debut episode one to remember.
Joined by a new trio of companions, the Doctor faced a brand new foe and the premiere of season 11 drew in an impressive 8.2 million viewers.
Alas, having been off air for 12 months, it might have been thought the season 12 opener could have replicated the same success but in reality, the BBC viewing figures suffered a loss.
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Only 4.9 million tuned in to watch Jodie return as The Doctor in the first of a two parter which also saw The Master (Sacha Dhawan) rise from the dead.
These ratings are from overnight figures, with more fans likely to watch the episode on the BBC’s iPlayer catch up service.
The most watched drama on television for New Year’s Day was ITV soap Emmerdale, with five million tuning in to watch the latest goings on in the village.
With the Time Lord blasted to an unknown world in the closing moments of the premiere of season 12 and her companions plunging to their death, will more viewers tune in on Sunday to find out what happened?
I am so SHOOK
Doctor Who viewer
Despite viewing figures taking a knock, fans of the sci-fi series quickly took to Twitter to discuss the reveal of The Master being alive and even more powerful than ever.
One wrote: “”I am still shocked at that twist. I didn’t honestly expect it. Fantastic stuff! Hook me up to Sunday now please.”
Another added: “I am so SHOOK after #DoctorWho WHAT AN EPISODE! WHAT A SHOCK! WHAT A REVEAL!!!”
Whilst a third wrote: “That was SUCH a great Master reveal. I just wasn’t expecting him to return yet!”
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The last time the Time Lord’s longtime nemesis was seen was just before Capaldi’s incarnation of The Doctor regenerated.
In the concluding chapter of season 10, The Master (then John Simm) came face-to-face with a future version of themselves.
He joined forces with Missy (Michelle Gomez) to take over the world with yet another army of sinister Cybermen.
Although they seemed to be in cahoots, the female incarnation of found herself pledging allegiance to her fellow Gallifreyan and ended up killing her predecessor, though he later murdered her.
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Speaking of actor Sacha, 35, taking on the iconic role, Jodie told press, including Express.co.uk of trying to keep the secret: “We were sat waiting and obviously the sprinting [line comes] and then the reveal.
“And as the facade starts to disintegrate… and then the Master appears with his brilliant line and a brilliant use of a pause.
“I heard you go and that was just… that’s why it’s so ace to watch it for the first time with an audience,” she said of watching the season opener with a live crowd.
“But yeah, it’s massive and I suppose the questions will keep coming!” she remarked, so what has The Master got planned up his sleeve?
Doctor Who continues Sunday at 7pm on BBC One.
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