Big Ideas Doctor Who turns 60 — why the world still loves you
Jul 21, 2025
John Higgs, a journalist and cultural historian, dives into the 60-year legacy of Doctor Who, revealing how it mirrors societal changes and adapts to cultural shifts. He shares moving anecdotes about the emotional connections fans have with the show's characters. Higgs explores the trickster archetype embodied by the Doctor and discusses its impact over the decades. The conversation also touches on the show's significance in shaping narratives and evolving personal identities through storytelling, celebrating its enduring appeal across generations.
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William Hartnell's Fierce Identity
- William Hartnell, the first Doctor, was a complex man whose mercurial personality shaped the character's early traits.
- Hartnell fiercely identified with the role, famously asserting his identity as 'Dr bloody who' in public.
Patrick Troughton's Life & Influence
- Patrick Troughton lived a polyamorous life with two partners and families, keeping it secret but open and affectionate.
- His personal need for constant change deeply influenced his portrayal of the Doctor.
Identity as Ongoing Storytelling
- Our sense of identity, like the Doctor's regeneration, is essentially a continuous story despite physical and psychological changes.
- This narrative nature of identity explains why the Doctor remains 'the same' despite dramatic transformations.
