Is Doctor Who 2024 OK for kids? Is Doctor Who 2024 safe for kids? Read the Doctor Who 2024 Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new BBC/ Disney+ original TV series Doctor Who 2024 Season 14 (aka Season 1), starring Ncuti Gatwa as The Fifteenth Doctor and Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday. No spoilers! #DoctorWho #DisneyPlus May contain commissioned links.
Parents Guide Doctor Who 2024 Review | Safe for Kids?
It’s definitely the 15th Doctor. But is it the 14th season or the 1st season?
With Disney+ obtaining the international broadcasting rights to BBC’s beloved science fiction television series – Doctor Who is now joining the Disney family among other BBC’s offerings like Renegade Nell, Shardlake, Bluey, along with multiple documentaries.
But will the production changes and a new Disney+ streaming platform be embraced by hard core Whovian fans? Or should the TARDIS have said “split” with The Fourteenth Doctor? (Get the pun?)
In this Doctor Who 2024 Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full TV-PG age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new 2024 Doctor Who parents guide to the new BBC/Disney+ original show. A no-spoiler parent review of Doctor Who 2024, can Doctor Who and Disney fans find common ground?
*Please note that this Doctor Who 2024 review is for the preview of episode 1 and episode 2 of Doctor Who 2024. This post will be updated as subsequent new episodes are released.
The Visuals
Visually Doctor Who 2024 is a BBC sci-fi fantasy television series (beginning in 2005) offering a wide creative range of differing landscapes CGI effects and characters that vary with each episode. Per usual the first two episodes of the series cross a wide spectrum of out-of-this-world and England based visuals that are always grounded in the two main characters. The look and feel of season 14 (aka season 1) for Doctor Who 2024 is on par with the previous seasons…so far. I’ll be curious to see if fans feel the same as more new episodes are released this summer.
Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, Doctor Who 2024’s opening credits alone is full of dizzying and fast spinning camera movements that could be nausea inducing for some and scenes of bright flashing or strobing lights. But for episodes 1 and 2 – there are some fast camera movements – but episode 4 combines the use of CGI effects and live action to produce sci-fi experience that may be dizzying for some viewers. Episode 1 has mild bright flashing light effects as well. Watch with caution.
The Story
BBC’s Doctor Who 2024 season 1 (or season 14 for hardcore Whovian fans) is the first ever season to premiere on Disney+. Written and executive produced by Doctor Who 2005 reviver Russell T. Davies (“Torchwood”), this 2024 Doctor Who season stars Ncuti Gatwa (“Barbie“) as the Fifteenth Doctor (first seen in “The Giggle” episode in season 13) and Millie Gibson (“Coronation Street“) as the doctor’s companion Ruby Sunday (first seen in the 2023 Christmas special “The Church on Ruby Road” – aka also episode 1 for this season).
Per usual storyline, The Doctor and his companion continue to travel across time and space, with adventures all the way from the Regency era in England, to war-torn future worlds to out-of-this-galaxy places that blow away the imagination. Throughout their adventures in the TARDIS – a time-traveling ship shaped like a police box – this duo encounters welcomed friends and dangerous foes, and a few surprise characters and cameos along the way.
Not to give away any spoilers – but episodes 1, 2 and 3 are diversely polar opposites in terms of locale, characters, and feel. There may be some wildly diverging opinions on the new season based on what the audience knows and loves of previous seasons and British history.
The real question is – is Doctor Who 2024 a show for kids?
Doctor Who 2024 TV-PG Rating Explained
Is Doctor Who 2024 safe for kids? A Disney+ original television series rated TV-PG? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how ratings have shifted over the years with a G-rating no longer an option to help guide parents.
PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings (Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night, I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-14 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or show is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.
Why is Doctor Who 2024 rated TV-PG? In this Doctor Who 2024 Review | Safe for Kids?, this 2024 Doctor Who BBC Studios and Disney+ original series is rated TV-PG for “infrequent coarse language, moderate violence.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Doctor Who 2024 is kid friendly. Is Doctor Who 2024 too violent for kids? Is Doctor Who 2024 for kids? Let’s breakdown that TV-PG age rating in this Doctor Who 2024 parents guide.
*Please note that this Doctor Who 2024 series review and TV-PG age rating breakdown are for episodes 1, 2, and 3 only. I will update this post with reviews of episodes 4 through 8 as they are released.
Violence/Suspense. Doctor Who 2024 is a science fiction action/adventure/fantasy television series that overall is very mild for the violence and suspense category. Fight scenes are almost non-existent in the first two episodes (though I do expect more action in later episodes) but do feature a variety of sci-fi weapons including flamethrowers and laser-like technology gadgets. Multiple discussions about “murder” and “genocide.” Mild peril and suspenseful scenes enhanced with sounds and music.
Sci-fi and fantasy thematic elements occur throughout each episode. Some scenes can be intense with possible scary alien-like creatures, unnatural human-like characters, and villainous qualities on par with science fiction shows like Star Trek and Star Wars. Episode 1 does have possible disturbing visuals of babies suspended in liquid inside of jars that may be difficult for some to view.
Blood and gore are overall very mild and mostly sci-fi ‘hokey’ for Doctor Who 2024 so far. Episode 2 features some slime-like consistency matter being put onto characters (revealed later in the episode) and episode 3 featuring uncomfortable blood curdling screams to reflect pain and torture.
Adult Themes. There is a no drugs smoking or alcohol consumption in Doctor Who 2024 season 14. There is one verbal reference in episode 2 to singing “when she’s drunk.”
Toilet humor includes discussions around baby “nappies” (aka diapers). Nothing is shown in camera.
Does Doctor Who 2024 have sexual innuendo? Sensual innuendo in Doctor Who 2024 include visuals of hugging, holding hands, and dancing, boys dressed in skirts and makeup, along with verbal LGBTQ+ references to “lesbians” and a person being referred to as a “them.” There is also an innuendo reference to a person being “hot” in the first three episodes. There is one verbal reference to a “life of abstinence” in episode 1.
Language. Does Doctor Who 2024 have language? While not disclosed, there are a couple of choice words parents should be aware of. Foul language phrases and swear words include: 1 “shi—” (cut off mid word) and 10 “H-E-double-hockey-sticks” in the first three episodes.
Milder bad language phrases and insults in Doctor Who 2024 include: “blasted” “idiots,” “ugly,” “gosh,” “for g-d’s sake,” “g-d,” “oh g-d,” and “oh my g-d.” Overall language is very mild for episodes 1 and 2 of Doctor Who 2024.
Episode 4 Review Update | 44 minutes – Violence includes depictions of war and use of weapons including guns and explosives. Adult themes include confessions of love and like via “I love you” and “he likes you,” discussion of “romantic tension,” and one verbal reference to “lesbian.” Grief, death, and loss medical trauma and war injury, tattoos, and faith-based discussions of religion, and heaven also present. Language in episode 3 include “sucks,” “g-d,” “oh my g-d,” “stupid,” “shut up,” “idiot,” and one instance of “H-E-double-hockey-sticks” in the episode 4 preview at the end of this episode.
Episode 5 Review Update | 47 minutes – Adult themes include discussions of “witchcraft” and “magic,” “Christianity” and “God,” politics, adoption trauma, and scenes in a hospital setting. Violence includes presence of rifles/guns, discussion of “torture,” being “racist,” “blood,” and “nuclear weapons,” and creepy characters enhanced by whisper noises, screams, and camera movements. Scenes taking place in a pub with people drinking beer; multiple scenes of characters drinking alcohol including wine and champagne. Romance includes a kiss on the cheek and discussion about how a character is “in bed.” Toilet humor includes discussion of “pee around back” and the “devil on his bum.” Language includes “h–l,” “idiot,” “shut your face,” “oh my g-d,” and “for g-d’s sake.”
Doctor Who 2024 Age Rating for Kids
With a runtime of 46 to 50 minutes per episode, this BBC Doctor Who 2024 Disney+ original series runs a little longer than usual kids shows. The added sci-fi fantasy elements bring a playful and whimsical or dark and scary aspect of the series that can shock and awe kids with wildly varying locations characters and themes. This live action space TV show is the next level above more little kid friendly series like Star Wars Bad Batch or Rebels.
Always imaginative – this creative liberty show has the ability to keep kids engaged with vastly different feel each episode or disengage without the continuity that kids are looking for (especially if they do not feel connected to the main characters). That being said little Doctor Who fans will enjoy yet another Doctor Who season at their Disney+ streaming fingertips – with a television show feel on par with previous seasons.
The Disney+ 2024 Doctor Who television series is most like the Star Trek franchise meets Quantum Leap.
The 2024 new BBC/ Disney+ original series Doctor Who has a total of 8 episodes for season 14 (or season 1 depending on how you perceive the production changes).
This 2024 Disney+ original television series produced by BBC Studios is rated TV-PG for “infrequent coarse language, moderate violence.” by the MPAA.
No, Doctor Who 2024 has no end credit scenes in any of the episodes for season. There are short clip previews for future episodes following the end of the episode.
Based on my Doctor Who 2024 parents guide and mom review above, I would not recommend Doctor Who 2024 to kids younger than the age of 9-10 years old.
With dark sci-fi and fantasy themes, Doctor Who 2024 is a live action BBC Disney+ television series that is the next level above more milder cartoon space TV series like Star Wars Bad Batch. I advise parents to prescreen the Disney+ series for intense, scary scenes, creepy characters, and mild language.
Considering the full TV-PG age rating breakdown above, this parent reviewer would not recommend the new Doctor Who 2024 series to kids younger than the age of 9-10 years old. This Doctor Who 2024 TV-PG rating is overall on par and easily comparable to the Star Trek television show franchise ratings.
The Overall
Always rooted in the Doctor and his companion – I find myself gravitating towards this Fifteenth Doctor iteration. Maybe it’s his Barbie Kenergy. Intelligent yet oddly eccentric with posh style and a Sherlock swagger – I am curious to see what the Doctor will do or say next. Ruby Sunday? Well – I’m not convinced yet. But hopefully the relationship and relatability will continue to grow on me.
My hot take? The doctor’s out on a diagnosis of Doctor Who 2024.
Not being able to preview even half of the series doesn’t allow me to have a strong judgement yet one way or the other. So far, the candor and cadence fit the previous series iterations. Teetering the line between sci-fi awesome and weirdly hokey, I can’t say that the first two episodes are “the best” work I’ve seen for the show. But Episode 2 is octaves above Episode 1. But with 6 episodes to go – one can hope that this BBC Studios series continues to flourish. But always cheeky, always in grave danger, and always imminent universe collapse fixed at the push of a Doctor button – I love BBC.
But will Doctor Who 2024 flourish on Disney+? Only the fandom can decide.
Follow Doctor Who on social media:
- Website: https://ondisneyplus.disney.com/show/doctor-who
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyPlus/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyplus
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disneyplus/
- #DoctorWho #DisneyPlus
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The Doctor Who 2024 premiere the all-new season 1 (aka season 14) of the 2024 Doctor Who BBC original series is streaming exclusively on Disney+ starting Friday May 10, 2024 with new episodes released weekly through June 28, 2024. Will your family be watching?
I was invited to screen episodes 1, 2, and 3 of the all-new BBC Disney+ television series Doctor Who 2024 in exchange for this Doctor Who 2024 Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Disney+. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie reviews, television updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment, and behind-the-scenes info!
Ben Waller says
To long time Whovians this is series 40, rather than 14. Which gives the context that’s important – it’s been safely scaring children since 1963. And so here in the UK, the series has been a right of passage for decades, broadcast late afternoon or early evening, reknown for putting children behind the living room couch, safely terrified, just as children’s fairy tales have created a safe place for confronting fear and delight in equal measures for aons before that. To say that the series is unsuitable for children under 9 or 10 is absurd: it is a show that pulls in the viewer at all ages, but most magnetically from the age of around 5 or 6 onwards. Every parent has their own right to decide what is appropriate for their children, but take a look at the fans surrounding the leading actor in public appearances in every era back to the 60s and 70s, and you’ll see that scores of under 9 year olds are, and always have been, part of the core audience and utterly spellbound.