Doctor Who: 8 Things That Must Happen In Series 12

By and large, fans have taken to Doctor Who's 2018 makeover, with the universal consensus being that the Time Lord's long-running legacy is in capable hands, albeit in need of a couple of adjustments. Jodie Whittaker has embraced the role to cosmic effect, the companions are nicely fleshed out, and there is a newfound liberal grit to much of the storytelling.

However, the landscape of TV is shifting so rapidly, that even the safe shows are no longer really safe. Even with an institution as long-running as Doctor Who, fans are best advised to go into a new series knowing that it could be the last. Or if not the last, the last of that Doctor, writer, and production team.

With that in mind, it's essential that Chris Chibnall's 2020 sophomore series pulls out all the stops, draws from the very best of what has been achieved already, and tweaks those little problems found in the series just gone. Imagine witnessing the greatest Doctor Who series of all time. The foundations are there, and there's no reason why the next season can't be the one. Here's how.

Jodie Whittaker's debut series was growing progressively steady until the series finale, The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos, juddered the momentum somewhat. Since 2005, the finale has been the all-out payoff of every Doctor Who season. But this one didn't feel that way. It felt more like a mid-season stop-off, which should have acted as a precursor to bigger things. Unfortunately, it came across as the biggest let down of the series.

Different writers have approached finales in different fashions. But the common tactic has been to drop any sideline characters out the picture and focus solely on the main protagonists. In many cases, the final episode has been pitched to the viewer as the possible endgame for either the companions, The Doctor him/herself, or both.

The Doctor's new pals have had it tough, and number 13 is still finding her feet. So there are is a whole mountain of drama to be tapped, and furthermore cracked open in 2020's season finale, if the right level of care is applied.