Doctor Who series 12 premiere ratings are down on last series

Doctor Who returned with a bang on New Year's Day, though it seems the series 12 premiere hasn't proved quite as popular with viewers.

Last night's (January 1) episode 'Spyfall, Part 1' saw Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor begin her second series with a huge twist, leaving fans desperate for the second part.

However, it didn't prove equally huge in the ratings, drawing 4.96 million viewers – the lowest overnight figure yet for the actress' Doctor – and down on her 8.2 million debut in 2018 (via Deadline).

BBC

Yet it's worth looking at it in context, as it follows a pattern for Doctors' second series – and comparatively it did better than Peter Capaldi's second series premiere in 2015, which took in 4.6 million viewers.

The episode also did better than the other big BBC One show of the evening, Dracula, which took in 3.6 million at the later time of 9pm.

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And of course, both shows will be boosted significantly by catch-up figures in the coming days and weeks.

Hartswood Films/Netflix/Robert Viglasky//BBC

Speaking of Dracula, the new BBC adaptation teased a neat little connection with Doctor Who during one particular scene in the premiere.

Doctor Who airs on BBC One in the UK and BBC America in the US.

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Sam Warner

Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.