Doctor Who regeneration rules changed once again!
By Callum Gunn
Former Doctor Who showrunner Russel T. Davies has changed the regeneration rules
Doctor Who Season 12 altered the rules of regeneration forever. Following the season finale, we learned how The Doctor is in fact the timeless child and has an unlimited amount of regenerations.
Before this, the lore of Doctor Who was Time Lords, and Ladies, were only able to regenerate 13 times. This meant Matt Smith was to be the last doctor, but he was given a reset of regenerations by Gallifrey in the 2013 Doctor Who Christmas Special.
More from Drama
- The Serpent Queen season 2 release updates and everything we know
- Is Quantum Leap on tonight? (November 22, 2023)
- Is Magnum P.I. on tonight? (Nov. 22, 2023)
- Miss Scarlet and the Duke returns for season 4 at the top of 2024
- The Way Home season 2 trailer reveals 1800s storyline and release date!
This reset of regenerations led to both Peter Capaldi’s and Jodi Whittaker’s versions of The Doctor. Our new piece of lore is making us question if the Matt Smith reset was even necessary, but that is a conversation for another day.
Watch your favorite shows on fuboTV: Watch over 67 live sports and entertainment channels with a 7-day FREE trial!
The point being is Doctor Who fans are used to changes to regeneration rules. So, the most recent change by former showrunner Russel T. Davis should come as no big surprise. Because we’re pretty much used to it by now.
Doctor Who animated short changes regeneration rules
This change occurred in a Doctor Who animated short released in response to the COVID-19 lockdown. In the short, Novice Hame, who fans will remember as the cat nurse who featured in Tardisode 1 during the Tennant era as one of the Sisters of Plentitude.
In this short, Novice Hame is dying of old age and says the following:
"“…his hundreds of faces and forms,”“The men and women and animals who have taken that name.”"
The hundreds of faces comment makes complete sense after the Season 12 finale. If this has aired before it would have confused us for sure. What is surprising is the “animals” comment.
Russel T. Davis appears to be suggesting that the Doctor can regenerate into an animal. We are unlikely to ever see this play out on screen. Although it would be awesome seeing a husky with their dapper tongue flapping on one side of their mouth and a sonic screwdriver on the other. It is probably not going to very feasible.
It is another interesting change to the Doctor Who lore though which keeps us intrigued day after day.
Next. 25 greatest one-season shows of all-time. dark
What do you think of this regeneration rule change? If the doctor was to change into an animal what would you like to see them change into? Drop a comment just below sharing your thoughts.