Why is the main character’s spaceship in “Doctor Who” called the Tardis?
As the new season of Doctor Who kicks off, which marks a brand new start for the series, we take a look back at one of the biggest secrets surrounding the cult English program.
In broadcast since 1963, the series features an alien from the planet Gallifrey, capable of regularly changing his appearance (and therefore his interpreter).
The ideal camouflage in 1963… but not in 2024!
Accompanied in his adventures by companions (but more generally by female companions), the Doctor has a spaceship called the Tardis. This device “bigger inside outside” imprints the shape of a blue police box.
In 1963, this appearance provided the ideal camouflage, due to the large number of these telephone boxes on British streets. But their disappearance did not necessarily lead to a change in the series, the appearance of the Tardis having then become emblematic – if not inseparable – of the success encountered by Doctor Who.
Tardis, kezako?
But what does the name Tardis mean anyway? The answer is simple, since the name of the ship is actually the acronym for Time to Inter-Spatial Dimensional Relativityan expression referred to the travels through time and space made by the Doctor in each episode of the series.
Although it has never changed its name or exterior appearance, the interior of the Tardis has, however, regularly undergone a facelift in order to adapt to the personalities of the different interpreters of the Doctor.
Since 1963, fifteen different personalities have lent their features to the character, including Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education). Introduced during special episodes celebrating sixty years of the program, the latter was offered the keys to the Tardis to lead the brand new Doctor Who series, broadcast every week on Disney+.
Discover the list of series currently available on the platform!