First airing in 1963, Doctor Who has captured the hearts of many and is still doing so as BBC continues to deliver more episodes and seasons. Despite the years, the series remains a must-watch for many who haven’t seen it yet. But, most of the platforms where it is available cannot be accessed without a fee. If you are among those looking for a place to get aboard the TARDIS and enjoy the adventures of your favorite fictional character, The Doctor, look no further.

The best platform for watching Doctor Who free of charge is BBC iPlayer. All 13 Doctor Who series and episodes, including the Classic Who stories, are free on BBC iPlayer. However, one issue most people have with BBC iPlayer is that it is only available in the UK, so those in other countries can access it easily if they use a good VPN like NordVPN or ExpressVPN. This guide will show you how to watch Doctor Who for free from anywhere! We’ll also mention alternative platforms for streaming Doctor Who.
How to Watch Doctor Who Worldwide – Quick Guide
- Get a VPN: Sign up for a reliable VPN like NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
- Install and Connect: Download the app and connect to a server where “Doctor Who” is available (e.g., UK for BBC iPlayer).
- Access the Platform: Log in to BBC iPlayer or your preferred streaming service.
- Stream Away: Search for Doctor Who and start watching!
Editor’s Tip: Best VPN Services to Use
- NordVPN: Known for lightning-fast speeds and robust security features, it’s ideal for unblocking geo-restricted content like Doctor Who. Supports up to 10 devices simultaneously.
- ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is renowned for its reliability and ease of use. It offers servers in 105 countries, perfect for smooth streaming with no buffering.
- Private Internet Access (PIA): A budget-friendly option with solid privacy features. Boasts an extensive server network and customizable settings.
Overview of Doctor Who

Doctor Who is a BBC-broadcasted science fiction TV series from 1963 that is still fascinating for most people today. It’s one TV series that’ll get you hooked to your screen. Doctor Who is a must-watch for all movie lovers looking for the best thrills. With much deliberation, Sydney Newman, Donald, and C. E. Webber created the show that has become a symbol of perfection today.
It is a British sci-fi, adventure, and drama content that Douglas Adams, David Whitaker, MORE, and Terry Nation wrote the film. The first episode aired in the UK on November 23, 1963, immediately sparked viewers’ interest. Some of the cast in the play include William Hartnell, Peter Davison, Mandip Gill, Jodie Whittaker, Tom Baker, and Jon Pertwee.
William Hartnell played the first Doctor, alongside Christopher Eccleston and Matt Smith. Jodie played the Doctor in 2017, making her the first woman to play the role in the series. Ncuti Gatwa was introduced as the new Doctor in the anniversary specials and will also appear in the anticipated series 14. She’ll be the first Black actor to assume the lead role in the series.
Where Can You Watch Doctor Who for Free?
There are a few sites where you can watch Doctor Who, including HBO Max and BritBox. However, our recommendation is BBC iPlayer. It is a BBC film, and the site has a clearer version, which allows easier access. Also, it is free, unlike the other services that require subscription fees.
Doctor Who can be accessible from any country if you can access a streaming where it’s available. For example, you can watch Doctor Who in the US on HBO Max, BritBox, Disney Plus, and FuboTV. So, people in the US can watch Doctor Who as much as they want from these streaming platforms. In India, it is available on Hotstar, Jio Cinema, and Voot, while people in Australia can watch it on Stan, Binge, and Foxtel Now.
Doctor Who is available in the UK on BritBox and BBC iPlayer. Unfortunately, most of the platforms mentioned above have geo-restrictions, which make it impossible for users in other countries to access them. But don’t worry; we have it covered.
Other Platforms to Watch Doctor Who and How They Compare to BBC iPlayer
| Streaming TV | Best For | Region | Price | Rating / 5 |
| BBC iPlayer | BBC contents | The UK | Free service | 5.0 |
| Hulu | Streaming many live TV channels | USA and Japan | $9.99 per month | 2.26 |
| Crackle | Free contents | USA | Free service | 2.49 |
| Sling TV | Cheap Streaming | USA | $35.99 per month | 3.7 |
| Peacock | Interesting content | USA, Ireland, Austria, UK, and Italy | $7.99 per month | 1.8 |
| Disney Plus | Heart-warming content | Major Regions | $10.99 per month | 3.1 |
| Starz | For TV series | The US and Puerto Rico | $2.99 per month | 4.2 |
| Paramount Plus | On-demand, over-the-top streaming service | The US | $7.99 per month | 3.8 |
| Amazon Prime Video | Original content | Global | $14.99 per month | 4 |
Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch Doctor Who?
The geo-restriction on the Doctor Who holding platform, BBC iPlayer, makes it only available in the UK. So, you must be in the UK to access the series. Yes, that is far-fetched because we can’t imagine you traveling from your location to watch a TV show.
Hence, a virtual private network is important. It can mask your IP address and make it appear like you are in the United Kingdom, allowing you to stream the restricted film seamlessly.
NordVPN – The Best VPN to Watch Doctor Who Online

NordVPN makes its online protection service a top priority. It allows users to experience malware-free browsing with the Threat Protection tool and other cutting-edge tech. It also prevents viruses from being attacked and blocks spyware, trackers, and snoopers from accessing your data. NordVPN is used as a dark web monitor to monitor and track data leakage and notify the user to take necessary action. This ensures the users take proactive steps to arrest the situation before their data reaches the hands of bad players.
The app has one of the largest server networks, with over 7,155 ultra-fast servers in 118 countries. With NordVPN, you can remotely access your connected devices and files in one click when you subscribe to the app. The platform uses the Meshnet tool for this service. Connecting to servers and the internet only takes a few seconds here. NordVPN works at a speed of 6730 Mbps, making it one of the fastest VPNs available. It doesn’t get slow, even if the load is much.
Pros
Cons
How to Choose the Optimal VPN for Doctor Who
- Number of Servers: VPN platforms need numerous servers. With many servers, users can appear in different countries of their choice, which serves the app’s real purpose.
- Compatibility: The VPN you choose must be compatible with BBC iPlayer. Many VPNs may not be compatible with streaming services, restricting users’ use. Therefore, compatibility checks are important so users can watch content without interruption or restrictions.
- The VPN Connection Speed: The connection speed of the virtual private network is an important criterion for choosing the best for watching Doctor Who outside the UK. Many people find slow internet services frustrating, and streaming movies with a slow network is even worse.
- Unblocking Capacity: If a VPN can’t efficiently bypass geo-restrictions on internet services, it’s not worth your while. So, you should ensure any VPN you buy has the highest unblocking capacity to stream Doctor Who from anywhere.
- User-friendly Interface: A good interface helps old and new users understand and use the platform effectively, even without directions. So, it is one of the features to look out for, as it will help you navigate the platform without stress.
Can You Watch Doctor Who Online with a Free VPN?
Yes, you can watch Doctor Who online with a free VPN. However, we don’t recommend it for a few reasons, such as:
- Slow Service: Free VPNs are usually slow. Because of the low bandwidth, you will experience glitches when you overwork them or put a lot of load on them.
- Weak Security and Privacy: Using these free services puts you at risk. They usually have lagging security systems, and their privacy is not top-notch. So, you can get protection for one minute, and you are at risk the next.
- System Fluctuation and Fewer Servers: The sites are usually not steady. Also, they have fewer servers, making it hard for users to access most of the online services they want. This is limiting and annoying in many ways.
Verdict: Is Watching Doctor Who Worth It?
While Doctor Who has been broadcast for up to 60 years, it still keeps people on their toes when it appears on the screen. The series isn’t getting any less interesting, so people can’t get enough of it. It heightens emotions and makes people stay on their screens long. However, it is unavailable on many streaming platforms.
BBC iPlayer is the only free platform for accessing Doctor Who, but it is only available in the United Kingdom. So, if you are outside the UK, you need a VPN to watch Doctor Who. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access (PIA) are great IP address-changing apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some websites, such as BBC iPlayer, ABC iView, FuboTV, and Britbox, allow you to watch Doctor Who for free.
Some sites have the TV series but not the complete episodes. The ones with the full episodes are BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and Britbox.
You don’t have to pay to use the streaming service, as it is free. It is a British-sponsored platform; therefore, it comes at no cost.
Free VPNs are good, and you can watch Doctor Who with them. However, we don’t recommend them. So, you need a paid one.
The first episode of Doctor Who dropped on November 23, 1963. Then, other episodes followed until the story ended.