'Doctor Who' textual analysis

Genre: Science fiction drama

Created by: Sydney Newman
C. E. Webber
Donald Wilson

Executive producer(s): Various executive producers
(currently Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner)

Original channel: BBC One (originally known as BBC tv)
BBC HD (simulcast with BBC One, 2009-present)

Original run: Classic series:
23 November 1963 –
6 December 1989
Television film:
12 May 1996
Current series:
26 March 2005–present




Camera, Editing, Sound, Mise-en-scene:

- the non-diegetic background music is iconic of the science fiction genre
- the camera doesn't move - the key parts of shots, such as the tardis are always positioned in the centre
- the tardis zooms in to the camera and then zooms out when leaving
- the light shining from the tardis represents its importance
- animation is used to present the genre and present the theme to the audience
- the main character is shown over the animated background and fades in and out of the shot
- shapes are used and there is continuous movement - giving a 'space' theme
- fast paced
- Doctor Who logo/title appears at the end of the title sequence and disappears by zooming out - again this is centralised in the shot
- camera remains on the same shot for 15 seconds at the end of the title sequence - very little action - engaging the audience with the theme/narrative of the drama


The title sequence for Doctor Who immediately identifies to the audience that the drama is of a science fiction genre, and this genre is fortified through, most significantly, the non-diegetic background music and also the background animation. The genre and theme are introduced in this title sequence; the audience can recognise there is a 'space' theme and a mysterious narrative to be unfolded. What's more, very little changes in the title sequence - the animation in the background stays the same throughout, and only two things are shown: the Tardis at the beginning and a character's face part way through. Thus, the Doctor Who title sequence doesn't use a lot of action, characters or narrative to engage the audience - instead focusing on establishing the genre and the most significant things within the drama, the Tardis and the Doctor.