10 Things That Only Doctor Who Could Get Away With

1. Changing The Lead Actor

Last but by no means not least, and arguably the biggest factor about the show's format that only Doctor Who could ever get away with, is the fact that it has the ability to change its leading actor. The premise of regeneration was introduced back in the 1960s as a way for the series to carry on following the untimely departure of William Hartnell and it's one that has been directly responsible in ensuring its ongoing success and longevity ever since. 13 actors have (officially) taken on the role of the titular Time Lord to date and it's this process of being able to shake things up that means the show is never in danger of becoming stale or predictable. In narrative terms, the character can repair his cells when he's injured or dying and for the audience this means they're introduced to a brand new actor who serves to help them fall in love with the Doctor all over again. It's a winning concept, to say the least. Nobody can quite say for sure why Doctor Who continues to enthral audiences around the world but regeneration is no doubt one of the defining contributing factors. Each new Doctor is like a breath of fresh air and their respective tenures at the helm of the TARDIS help to rejuvenate the show whilst keeping its fundamental conventions intact. As of The Time of the Doctor, the Doctor has been given a new cycle of regenerations which means it's only just the beginning as far as his lifetime is concerned. Unless he gets pointblank killed, that is, which is pretty unlikely unless the BBC want an uprising on their hands. Suffice to say, the future of our beloved Time Lord looks very bright and that's all thanks to his ever evolving face. And chin. And eyebrows. Let's just hope that Capaldi's eyebrows stick around for a while longer yet. What do you think of this list? Is there anything else about Doctor Who that only it could get away with? Let us know in the comments section below.