Big Ideas Doctor Who at 60 — still as attractive as ever
Dec 15, 2025
John Higgs, a cultural historian and author known for exploring popular culture, dives into the fascinating world of Doctor Who. He discusses how this iconic series has mirrored six decades of societal change, its collaborative origins, and the evolution of the Doctor as a complex character. Higgs reveals why we're addicted to storytelling, and how Doctor Who serves as a 'living system' shaping its fans and creators. He also examines the show’s political undertones and enduring appeal, making it a beloved part of British culture.
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Awe In A Soho Pub
- John Higgs recounts seeing Tom Baker in a pub and watching a fan look at him with genuine awe.
- That moment convinced Higgs that fictional characters can deeply affect people's lives.
A Character Born From A Scheduling Hole
- Doctor Who began as a programming solution rather than a single creator's masterpiece.
- Its loose initial brief let many writers and actors repeatedly reshape the character over decades.
The Doctor As Trickster Archetype
- The Doctor fits the trickster archetype: shape‑shifting, boundary‑crossing and disruptive.
- That trickster core explains why the character can wear many masks yet remain recognisably itself.
