Doctor Who Series Ranking Updated 2022

Before I rank now all 13 series of the Modern era, let us take a look back at my previous rankings.

Series 8

1. Series 4
2. Series 8
3. Series 7
4. Series 2
5. Series 1
6. Series 3
7. Series 5
8. Series 6

Series 9

1. Series 4 = 7.94
2. Series 2 = 7.45
3. Series 1 = 7.40
4. Series 9 = 7.13
5. Series 8 = 7.00
6. Series 7 = 6.94
7. Series 3 = 6.90
8. Series 5 = 6.90
9. Series 6 = 6.58

Series 10

1. Series 4 = 7.87 (down 0.07)
2. Series 2 = 7.55 (up 0.10)
3. Series 1 = 7.50 (up 0.10)
4. Series 3 = 7.20 (up 0.30)
5. Series 10 = 7.18 (NEW) 
6. Series 5 = 7.10 (up 0.20) 
7. Series 9 = 7.00 (down 0.13)
8. Series 7 = 6.76 (down 0.18)
9. Series 6 = 6.75 (up 0.18)
10. Series 8 = 6.73 (down 0.27)

Series 11

1. Series 4 = 7.87 (-)
2. Series 2 = 7.64 (up 0.09)
3. Series 1 = 7.40 (down 0.10)
4. Series 3 = 7.20 (-)
5. Series 10 = 7.00 (down 0.18)
6. Series 5 = 7.00 (down 0.10)
7. Series 8 = 6.81 (up 0.08)
8. Series 9 = 6.80 (down 0.20)
9. Series 7 = 6.76 (-)
10. Series 6 = 6.75 (-)
11. Series 11 = 6.27 (NEW)

Series 12

1. Series 4 = 7.87 (-)
2. Series 2 = 7.64 (-)
3. Series 1 = 7.40 (-)
4. Series 3 = 7.20 (-)
5. Series 5 = 7.10 (up 0.10)
6. Series 10 = 7.00 (-)
7. Series 8 = 6.82 (up 0.01)
8. Series 9 = 6.80 (-)
9. Series 7 = 6.65 (down 0.11)
10. Series 6 = 6.58 (down 0.17)
11. Series 12 = 6.25 (NEW)
12. Series 11 = 5.73 (down 0.56)

It is important to stress, as seen by the rankings above, that I suffer from recent episode syndrome. That is, when a series comes out, I rank it higher then, before in time ranking it lower. Series 8, the first series I reviewed on this site eight years ago, is a prime example. It started off in second place, of those eight series that it was comparable to at the time, it is now 5th.

Now lets take a look at the updated list after the release of Series 13.

Series 13

1. Series 4 = 7.93 (+0.06)

2. Series 2 = 7.64 (-)

3. Series 1 = 7.50 (+0.1)

4. Series 3 = 7.20 (-)

5. Series 5 = 7.10 (-)

6. Series 10 = 6.92 (-0.08)

7. Series 9 = 6.90 (+0.1)

8. Series 8 = 6.82 (-)

9. Series 6 = 6.67 (+0.09)

10. Series 7 = 6.65 (-)

11. Series 13 = 6.25 (NEW)

12. Series 12 = 5.67 (-0.58)

13. Series 11 = 5.64 (-0.09)

So there we have it. First thing to note is the recent episode syndrome taking action once more. Series 12's collapse is larger than any other change in my update, which is no surprise because it was the last series to be ranked. Series 12's collapse is not too dissimilar to that of Series 11 when I did the update in 2020, after the release of Series 12.

Series 13 comes in as the best of the Chibnall three, by some margin. However, it is important to note that both Series 12 and Series 11 started off at a similar score, around the 6.2 margin. Series 12 and Series 11 are now both pretty close, with Series 11 just topping it off at the bottom. Five of the series cross the average of being above seven, seven of the series are in the six range, and two do not even make that. 

My ranking continues what has occurred previously of all of RTD's series being at the front, followed by all six of Moffat's and concluding with all three of Chibnall's. The fact not a single Chibnall series has managed to cross even Moffat's weakest is testament to how poor the show has been under Chibnall. I would find it highly unlikely if this was to ever change, as Series 13 is only likely to continue to fall, probably to the same depths as Series 11 and 12 whose scores (below six) I only ever gave to one RTD era episode. 

The ranking of Moffat's series however has changed. Series 9 and 8 have swapped places, with Series 9 now being Moffat's third best series, and Series 8 being fourth best. Series 7 has now dropped below series 6 as the worst of Moffat's series. This surprises me, and perhaps when I finish my series 7 rewatch that I am currently on, that will alter.

With RTD coming back, there will be likely high quality Doctor Who coming back. I will be interested to see whether RTD on his second round will be able to top any of his original 4. This we will have to see.