The latest episode of Doctor Who, titled “The Well,” aired on Saturday and saw a significant increase in overnight ratings compared to the previous week. The episode drew 1.9 million viewers, making it the fourth most-watched program of the day and the second most-watched on BBC One. “The Well” took the Doctor and Belinda on an adventure to a planet in the far future, where they faced various challenges.
The episode was praised by showrunner Russell T Davies as the most frightening of the season. The episode introduced new guest stars and brought back Ncuti Gatwa and Varada Sethu in their roles. It also moved the story forward, bringing fans closer to uncovering new mysteries about the characters.
While the overnight figures do not include on-demand viewers who watched the episode later on BBC iPlayer, the consolidated ratings, which will account for these additional views, are expected to be released at a later date. Doctor Who Season 15 continues on 3rd May 2025, with the episode available on BBC iPlayer at 8 am and airing at 7:20 pm on BBC One. Set half a million years in the future on a hostile planet called 6-7-6-7, “The Well” follows the Doctor as he joins a group of soldiers investigating a mining operation that has lost contact with its base.
The only survivor is a cook named Aliss, played by Rose Ayling-Ellis, but something strange is happening: people keep thinking they see something moving behind her, even though nothing is there. The creature behind Aliss is a mystery. It has no face, no physical form, and not even a name.
It is more of an idea of a monster, the kind rarely seen on “Doctor Who.” As the episode reaches its climax, it is revealed that some 400,000 years earlier, Planet 6-7-6-7 was called Midnight, a revelation sure to excite long-time fans of the show.
The Well ratings boost explained
“The Well” pays homage to the show’s past while continuing to push the boundaries of storytelling in its latest season.
In this thrilling episode, the Doctor and Belinda find themselves trapped on a mining colony on planet 6767. While the expanded Disney+ budget allowed for larger sets, the claustrophobic tension that could have intensified the terror was somewhat diminished compared to previous episodes. Caoilfhionn Dunne delivers a standout performance as Commander Shaya Costallion, who leads the mission on the mining colony but meets a tragic end.
Christopher Chung’s portrayal of the insubordinate Cassio Palin-Paleen adds tension, as he questions the Doctor’s input over more aggressive tactics. However, the episode truly belongs to Rose Ayling-Ellis, who plays Aliss, a survivor with a dark secret. Ayling-Ellis expertly navigates the complex emotions of abandonment and quiet malevolence, culminating in a chilling realization that spells doom for her and potentially others.
The episode succeeds in creating suspenseful moments, including gruesome scenes of dead mining colonists and effective jump scares. However, some plot mechanics are left underexplained. Significant mysteries are raised, such as the disappearance of Earth from the series’ continuity, hinted at by the floating relics seen at the episode’s end.
Anita Dobson shines as a bureaucratic space commander, adding to the layers of intrigue. As the Doctor and his companions continue their adventures, viewers are left pondering Belinda’s fate and the ongoing mysteries. The promise of future episodes exploring themes like PTSD for former companions keeps anticipation high.
Stay tuned for the next episode, “Lucky Day,” as the journey through time and space continues.
