New Doctor Who movie is now available to stream in the UK

A film that's bigger on the inside.

By Jacob Sarkisian

6 Feb 2023

American Anorak

A new Doctor Who movie exploring what it means to be a Doctor Who fan from the perspective of a Who writer is now available to stream in the UK.

Doctor Who Am I is a documentary movie that explores the legacy of the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie starring Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann as the seventh and eighth doctors, respectively.

The movie was initially rejected by the Doctor Who fandom, ands this documentary explores the legacy of that movie from the perspective of the movie's writer, Matthew Jacobs, who co-directs this film.

The documentary is available to watch on Amazon via Britbox and on ITVX Premium.

The documentary doesn't look to defend the TV movie. Instead, it explores the impact and legacy on the Who fandom and delves into what it means to be part of that fandom and a Who fan.

The film has received positive reviews so far, with Digital Spy writing that the movie "is an endearing and uplifting look at a side of fandom that we tend to forget, given that negative voices are always the loudest."

BBC

Twenty years after the TV movie aired, McGann spoke about the maligned project, which was initially intended to serve as a pilot for a relaunch of the sci-fi show. But, ultimately, that failed.

"Back in '96/'97, when the pilot failed to go to a series, sure you're disappointed for a day but only 'cos maybe you saw pound signs," McGann said. "My kids were little and that might've taken care of them – it was a nice big contract.

"But that's what living in the arts is like. One minute it's there, the next it's gone and you're doing something else."

Doctor Who returns in 2023 on BBC One in the UK and Disney+ elsewhere. Meanwhile, in the US, the show airs on BBC America, with series 1-12 available on HBO Max. Classic Doctor Who streams on BritBox in the UK.