The Doctor Who finale will 'shock and terrify' — what parents need to know

Metro

30-05-2025

The Doctor Who finale will see a battle across the skies as the Unholy Trinity unleash a villainous plan for the universe.
Showrunner Russell T Davies promised that the momentous episode will clear up the bi-generation that saw Ncuti Gatwa take over from David Tennant in the 60th anniversary special, while fans have been busy sharing their theories on what else viewers can expect from the finale.
Last week's episode, Wish World, saw The Rani (Archie Panjabi) reveal her masterplan to resurrect Omega, one of the founders of Time Lord civilisation and a classic Doctor Who villain dating back to 1973.
Russell T Davies has said of this week's finale: 'The Doctor is doomed, Belinda is lost, Ruby is trapped, UNIT is powerless, the Unholy Trinity rule supreme and the Underverse is rising…I can promise shocks, scares and revelations off the scale.'
It sounds gripping, but with a monumental battle set to rage across the Whoniverse, parents of younger children may be wondering if The Reality War is suitable for family viewing.
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The Doctor Who season two finale, The Reality War, has been classified 12A, meaning it contains material that is not generally suitable for children under 12.
A two-part finale of Wish World and The Reality War will be shown in cinemas across the UK on Saturday, but children younger than 12 can't attend a 12A cinema screening without an adult.
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), which assigns age ratings to films, TV and online content, advises: 'Adults planning to take a child under 12 to a 12A should consider whether the main feature is suitable for that child.'
Some of the themes viewers can expect from content classified 12A include dangerous behaviour, moderate bad language, threat and horror, and violence.
Empire of Death, the final episode of the previous season of Doctor Who, was also classified 12A due to moderate horror and fantasy threat.
The BBFC explained its classification was due to 'scenes of horror and fantastical threat involving a creature and his sinister minions.'
It added: 'Characters are possessed, making their voices distort and their faces turn sinister and emaciated. A person is transformed into crumbling sand. There are scenes of panic as terrified civilians flee a fantastical threat.'
Brief references to the death of a child, teenage pregnancy and domestic abuse were also cited as reasons for the classification.
Metro TV reporter and Doctor Who fan Asyia Iftikhar has watched every episode of season two, and is confident the finale is going to be a must-watch.
Reviewing the penultimate episode, Wish World, she wrote:
'By far and away, Archie Panjabi's larger-than-life performance as The Rani proved one of the best aspects of the episode, which has infused new life into the finale.
'It was always a gamble to bring back a Classic Who character – but it has paid off handsomely so far.
'Not only is The Rani's dynamic with the Doctor beautifully explored but Archie's delivery is full to the brim with charm, wit and confidence.
'Essentially, the casting team hit the nail on the head by bringing Archie on board to resurrect The Rani, and I can't wait to see what more havoc she wreaks in the season finale.'
Read Asyia's full review.
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Doctor Who is undeniably appealing to children, after all, it's about an alien time traveller who has adventures in a spaceship shaped like a police box. But it's certainly not just for kids.
Many fans grew up with various iterations of the Doctor and remain loyal to the show still, watching with their own families.
The fantastical adventures are usually accompanied by clever humour and the tackling of weighty issues, making the show at times complex and more than a little frightening (Weeping Angels, we're looking at you).
Which means that it's not always suitable viewing for younger children.
The majority of episodes classified by the BBFC have been given a PG rating, meaning they 'should not unsettle a child aged eight or older'.
But when it comes to deciding whether a child is old enough to watch, experts have told Metro that the final decision should lie with the parents.
Parenting expert Sue Atkins said: 'It's less about a fixed age and more about knowing your child. Some 8-year-olds love the thrill of Doctor Who, while others might find the tension or monsters unsettling.'
She added: 'When my own kids first got into Doctor Who, we made it a shared event – lights low, snacks ready, and always the agreement that they could turn it off if it got too intense.
'That gave them a sense of control, and us a chance to talk through the big ideas.'
Sue suggests parents consider three things when deciding what TV shows are suitable for children to watch: Content: Check the age rating, but don't rely on it entirely. Watch a trailer or read a trusted review and look out for recurring themes – Doctor Who often includes suspense, moral dilemmas and sometimes loss or fear, even if it's wrapped in family-friendly storytelling.
Check the age rating, but don't rely on it entirely. Watch a trailer or read a trusted review and look out for recurring themes – Doctor Who often includes suspense, moral dilemmas and sometimes loss or fear, even if it's wrapped in family-friendly storytelling. Context: Think about what your child has already handled. Have they seen similar shows and coped well, or do they struggle with nightmares or anxiety afterwards? Each child is unique – what excites one may overwhelm another.
Think about what your child has already handled. Have they seen similar shows and coped well, or do they struggle with nightmares or anxiety afterwards? Each child is unique – what excites one may overwhelm another. Conversation: If you're unsure, watch together. Be on hand to press pause and talk through tricky scenes. Asking 'How did that make you feel?' or 'What would you have done?' helps kids process what they're seeing.
Parenting coach Anisa Lewis agrees, telling Metro that this guidance applies to all TV shows, not just Doctor Who.
'My philosophy when it comes to age recommendations is that parents are best placed to decide what's suitable for their child,' she explains, adding that parents shouldn't feel pressured to allow their children to watch something just because their peers are.
But as for what parents can expect from the Doctor Who finale, the show creators have been keeping their cards close to their chest when it comes to plot. More Trending
On scare-factor, however, director Alex Sanjiv Pillai has said this: 'For season two, the idea was to have a punchier, more dramatic, more tense, scary even, set of stories.
'The two-part finale, Wish World and The Reality War, is a culmination of all those things. We want to thrill, we want to shock, we want to absolutely terrify.'
We can't wait to see the Doctor and The Rani go head-to-head, but maybe after the kids have gone to bed…
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The Doctor Who finale, The Reality War, airs on Saturday, May 31, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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