‘Doctor Who’ Has Crossed Over With Several Other TV Shows

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As a sci-fi fan, I’ve always considered Doctor Who one of the greats, and it’s fascinating to see how the show, with the help of the TARDIS, has managed to blend into other fictional worlds. The best crossovers, in my opinion, are those that really throw characters into unexpected situations, creating a delightful kind of chaos – and Doctor Who consistently delivers on that front. It’s a show that just gets how to make those worlds collide in a fun and compelling way.

As a lifelong Doctor Who fan, I’ve always been a little surprised by how few official crossovers there actually are. That’s why the ones we do get feel so special! Sometimes the Doctor is fully part of another show’s story, but other times it’s more subtle – a quick reference, an Easter egg, something that just suggests the Time Lord might have popped in. From the very beginning of Doctor Who, all the way through to Russell T Davies’ latest run, there have been connections made with other TV series – little nods to the Whoniverse appearing in unexpected places.

7
‘Eastenders’

‘Children in Need’ 2013 – “Dimensions in Time”


BBC

“Dimensions in Time” brought back several popular companions from the original Doctor Who series for a fun adventure as part of the 1993 Children in Need telethon. This two-part special featured multiple Doctors, companions, and the villain The Rani, all appearing within the world of the British soap opera Eastenders. The interactions between these Doctor Who characters and the famous faces from Eastenders are very funny.

This isn’t the first time Doctor Who and EastEnders have crossed over. Fans of the Carry On films might recognize Barbara Windsor, who famously played Peggy Mitchell on EastEnders. While she doesn’t appear in “Dimensions in Time,” she does make a brief appearance in the Doctor Who season 2 episode, “Army of Ghosts.” “Dimensions in Time” leans more heavily into the Doctor Who narrative, but it’s still fun to see these two iconic British shows share a universe.

6
‘Call the Midwife’

‘Comic Relief’ 2013 – “One Born Every Minute”

The 2013 Comic Relief sketch, “One Born Every Minute,” playfully references the British documentary series of the same name by bringing together the worlds of Doctor Who and Call the Midwife. When the TARDIS picks up a hospital intercom message, Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor lands in the 1950s, eager to assist with a twin birth, displaying his signature quirky energy.

Many fans of Doctor Who tend to overlook the “One Born Every Minute” sketch, likely because the Doctor doesn’t show up until well into it. But it includes fun references for other viewers, like nods to Miranda Hart’s sitcom Miranda, and a tribute to the iconic British entertainer Bruce Forsyth and Strictly Come Dancing.

5
‘The Catherine Tate Show’

‘Comic Relief’ 2007


BBC

While many people outside the UK know Catherine Tate from shows like Doctor Who and The Office, she first became famous for her sketch comedy series, The Catherine Tate Show, which aired in the early 2000s. After playing Donna Noble in the Doctor Who Christmas special “The Runaway Bride,” she appeared in a sketch with David Tennant, playing one of her best-known characters, the rude teenager Lauren Cooper.

There are tons of funny jokes surrounding Doctor Who, and Lauren quickly noticed her new English teacher looked just like the Tenth Doctor. She even playfully asked him if he had a crush on Billie Piper, almost making him lose his cool! Turns out, the teacher is the Doctor, even though he tries to deny it. Lauren’s antics eventually lead to her being transformed into a Rose Tyler action figure using the sonic screwdriver.

4
‘The Sarah Jane Adventures’

Season 3, Episodes 5 & 6 – “The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith” and Season 4, Episodes 5 & 6 – “Death of the Doctor”


BBC

Okay, so I’ve heard some people are worried about the new Doctor Who spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, but honestly, I was really excited when I discovered the Doctor actually showed up in The Sarah Jane Adventures! That show, for those who don’t know, follows Sarah Jane Smith – a classic companion from the original series – as she protects Earth from her home, with the help of her son Luke and his friends. The Tenth Doctor was the first to make an appearance, and it was awesome seeing him team up with Sarah Jane again. Then, in an episode called “The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith,” the Doctor even faced off against one of her oldest enemies, the Trickster, right on her wedding day! It’s a really fun bit of Who history.

As a huge Doctor Who fan, I always get excited when different eras collide, and “Death of the Doctor” really delivers on that front. It’s amazing seeing the Eleventh Doctor team up with Sarah Jane Smith again, and it’s a lovely touch bringing back Jo Grant, a companion from the Third Doctor’s adventures. The story kicks off with everyone mourning the Doctor, but it’s all a clever trick by these creepy, bird-like aliens called the Shansheeth who are after the TARDIS. Honestly, The Sarah Jane Adventures is one of the best sci-fi shows you can stream on Max right now – if you’ve never checked out this Doctor Who spin-off, you seriously need to!

3
‘Class’

Season 1, Episode 1 – “For Tonight We Might Die”


BBC

It’s always surprising to see a Doctor from Doctor Who show up in a spinoff series, but it’s especially unexpected when it happens right away – and that’s exactly what happens in Class. The first episode, “For Tonight We Might Die,” introduces the students and their alien teacher, Miss Quill, while also giving longtime Doctor Who fans a nostalgic treat by taking place at Coal Hill School, which was featured in the very first episode of the original series.

Steven Moffat, known for his work on Doctor Who, took a risk by having Peter Capaldi appear as the Twelfth Doctor in the very first episode of Class. The Doctor dramatically arrives to rescue the main characters from the Shadow Kin during the third act, and before leaving, tasks them with protecting the school from future threats. Although Class wasn’t a long-running Doctor Who spin-off – it only lasted one season – the Doctor’s appearance is still an enjoyable moment.

2
‘The Simpsons’

Multiple Episodes


Fox

Although The Simpsons includes many nods to Doctor Who, it’s notable that only the Fourth Doctor actually appears in the show. He makes several brief appearances, such as being one of the TV representatives in the Season 7 episode “Sideshow Bob’s Last Gleaming.” In Season 10’s “Mayored to the Mob,” Tom Baker – the actor who played the Fourth Doctor – shows up at a convention dressed as the character, and the show playfully suggests he might actually be the Doctor himself.

If you’re a sharp-eyed viewer of The Simpsons Season 11’s “Treehouse of Horror X,” you can spot a figure resembling the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) among Comic Book Guy’s collectibles. Interestingly, the show refers to him as “Doctor Who.” While not a direct crossover, several actors from Doctor Who have made guest appearances on The Simpsons, including Karen Gillan and David Tennant, who both appeared in the Season 35 episode “Ae Bonny Romance.”

1
‘Family Guy’

Season 15, Episode 4 – “Inside Family Guy”


Fox

In a surprising crossover, David Tennant appears as the Tenth Doctor in a Season 15 episode of Family Guy, titled “Inside Family Guy.” This episode is different from typical Family Guyshows, using a unique format where Peter Griffin pitches new TV ideas after losing his job. One of these pitches is a short scene called “Doctor Who Farted,” featuring the Doctor trying to conceal that he’s passed gas while inside the TARDIS.

A character who looks a bit like Rose Tyler also shows up in this scene, but it’s not Billie Piper providing the voice. While Family Guy doesn’t confirm it’s actually her, David Tennant does voice the Doctor, which is both funny and strangely awkward, largely due to the show’s use of bathroom humor.

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2025-11-27 16:22