The Ever-Expanding Universe of Doctor Who:
Narrative, Integrity, and Globalization
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the beloved British
science-fiction series Doctor Who. Since his first appearance in 1963, the
time-traveling Doctor has been a staple of British culture, with
generations of children and adults alike following his TARDIS through
time and space. By creating and maintaining a strong dialectical
relationship between the show’s content and contemporary British issues,
the program went on to become the world’s longest-running sci-fi
television series (Hicks). Back on the air in 2005 after a sixteen-year
hiatus, the new adventures of Doctor Who quickly revived the show's
prominence in British pop-culture. In the past few years, however, the
audience has become more global; with cable providers offering more
channels than ever, online streaming, and the ability to download series
on iTunes, Doctor Who h