The Doctor Is In The House

Earlier this week, the BBC announced that Ncuti Gatwa would be taking up residence in the TARDIS as the latest incarnation of the Doctor following the departure of Jodie Whitaker later this year.  Gatwa is best known for his role on Sex Education, for which he was awarded a Best Actor Scottish BAFTA in 2020.

The current run of Doctor Who will wrap up this year in a series of holiday specials, with Whitaker and current showrunner Chris Chibnall.  Russell T. Davies, who launched the modern revival of Doctor Who back in 2005, will return as showrunner along with Gatwa.  No other details were released at this time, but the expectation is the new series will launch in 2023.

FOX Upfronts

It has been a few years now since I’ve watched anything on FOX.  This year’s schedule does not look like it will alter that any come this fall.  Monday starts off with the returning 9-1-1 followed by The Big Leap, revolving around a group of diverse, down-on-their-luck characters attempting to change their lives by participating in a potentially life-ruining reality dance show that builds to a live production of Swan Lake.  Tuesday kicks off with the returning The Resident acting as the lead in for Our Kind Of People, inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s provocative, critically acclaimed book of the same name.

The Masked Singer leads off Wednesday nights, followed by yet another singing competition called Alter Ego.  Thursdays get turned over to the NFL starting in October, while Friday is the domain of the WWE.  Sunday’s animated block remains the same, with The Simpsons, The Great North, Bob’s Burgers, and Family Guy wrapping things up following football.

On tap for midseason is The Cleaning Lady, about a whip-smart Cambodian doctor who comes to the US for a medical treatment to save her ailing son, Monarch, about the first family of country music, Welcome To Flatch, a comedy Inspired by BBC Studios’ BAFTA-winning This Country, Pivoting, starring Eliza Coupe, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Maggie Q as three close-knit childhood friends as they cope with the death of the fourth member of their group.  Returning shows planned for mideason include  9-1-1: Lone StarCall Me Kat, Duncanville, Housebroken, Beat Shazam, Crime Scene Kitchen, Domino Masters, Don’t Forget the Lyrics, Hell’s Kitchen, I Can See Your Voice, Lego Masters, Master Chef, Mental Samurai, and Next Level Chef.

Gone and mostly forgotten are Bless The HartsFilthy RichLast Man StandingneXt, and Prodigal Son.