With the success of the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials, the upcoming Doctor Who Christmas Special, and the highly-anticipated 14th series, you might be wondering where to stream Doctor Who for free.
All Doctor Who episodes are available for streaming on British streaming platform BBC iPlayer. However, if you’re outside the United Kingdom, you’ll be denied access.
Luckily, there’s an easy way around these restrictions: with a VPN, you can get a British IP address and enjoy Doctor Who for free from anywhere in the world. Here’s how:
- Get a VPN subscription. We recommend NordVPN for its high speeds and 400+ UK servers that you can choose from!
- Download and install the VPN app for your PC, tablet, or smart TV.
- Select a VPN server in the United Kingdom to stream Doctor Who for free.
- Head over to BBC iPlayer and look for the show!
NordVPN is a pro at unblocking major streaming platforms, from Netflix to Disney Plus! We’ve tested 40+ VPNs and had no issues watching Doctor Who for free with NordVPN.
Below, we tell you how to watch Doctor Who in America or anywhere else, as well as what you need to know to get ready for the upcoming series!
All aboard the TARDIS! If you’ve been wondering where to watch Doctor Who for free, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we list all streaming providers that currently offer Doctor Who, as well as everything you need to know about the 60th anniversary specials and the 2023 Christmas episode.
Your best choice for watching Doctor Who for free is BBC iPlayer! You can watch all Doctor Who episodes, from series 1 to series 13, as well as countless stories from Classic Who, on this free streaming platform. It’s also the place where series 14 (with Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor) will be released.
Don’t live in the UK? If your access to iPlayer is blocked, there’s an easy solution: with a VPN like NordVPN, you can get a UK-based IP address and unblock Doctor Who with a single click.
NordVPN has 400+ servers in the United Kingdom alone. On top of that, it’s the best option to unblock Disney+, which also hosts Doctor Who. Right now, new users can get 69% off their NordVPN plan. Snatch up the deal before it disappears!
How to Watch Doctor Who From Anywhere
Doctor Who fans, you’re in luck: all Doctor Who seasons are available for free on BBC iPlayer!
You can watch series 1 through series 13 and classic Who on this online free platform, and it’s also where the 2023 Christmas Special will be released.
BBC iPlayer is a completely free platform that doesn’t require more than an email address and a password. You also have to enter a UK postal code, but you may choose one at random. It won’t take more than a couple of minutes to get access to BBC iPlayer.
Once you have an account, unblocking Doctor Who becomes a piece of cake.
Here’s an easy step-by-step to get free access to watch Doctor Who online with NordVPN:
- Get a subscription with NordVPN. We recommend NordVPN because it’s one of the best VPNs in the world when it comes to unblocking streaming platforms, including BBC iPlayer.
- Download and install the NordVPN app. This is very straightforward! You can download NordVPN for any device you like, so you can enjoy Doctor Who on your smartphone, computer, or even your Android TV.
- Log in using the account you created in Step 1.
- Connect to a server in the United Kingdom if you want to watch Doctor Who for free on the BBC. Any UK server will do.
- Head over to BBC iPlayer to watch Doctor Who online. If you don’t have an account yet, you can enter your details and sign up. You can use any UK postal code. It’s completely free!
- Look for “Doctor Who” in the search bar and enjoy the show!
NordVPN is our top streaming VPN of the moment! It’s a true unblocking powerhouse that manages to get past the strongest of geo-restrictions. On top of that, it has a huge server network with 6000+ servers in 61 countries.
This means that you can watch Doctor Who on iPlayer but also unblock a world of entertainment on any other streaming site, including Paramount Plus, Netflix, and Hulu. You can also easily unblock Disney Plus, which has some special Doctor Who content. More on that below!
If you want to try NordVPN for yourself, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee you can use. This gives you a month to see how great it is to stream with a VPN. And if you’re not content, it’ll be easy to get a full refund, essentially giving you a free NordVPN trial!
Why You Need a VPN to Watch Doctor Who
If you’ve been wondering how to watch Doctor Who in America or anywhere else, chances are you’ve come across VPNs. But why do you need a VPN (virtual private network) to catch up with Doctor Who?
Around the world, streaming providers like BBC iPlayer and Netflix don’t always have the same distribution rights for every country. As a result, Doctor Who, a British show, is not readily available outside the United Kingdom.
A VPN can help you out! With a VPN, you can change your IP address to any location in the world. If you connect to a VPN server in the United Kingdom, it will look as though you’re virtually located there.
That’s how easy it is to access BBC iPlayer! With a single click, you can unblock the British platform and watch Doctor Who for free.
Note:
Always make sure to be compliant with the terms and conditions of the streaming site you’re going to use, in this case, the BBC.
The Best VPNs to Watch Doctor Who Online
Not every single VPN in the world can unblock BBC’s iPlayer. We’ve tested 40+ different VPNs for this platform, so we can recommend the best VPNs for streaming Doctor Who outside the United Kingdom. Here are our picks.
1. NordVPN: The best VPN to watch Doctor Who
Streaming features:
- Unblocks any streaming platform (BBC, Netflix, Disney+, etc.)
- Maintains up to 96% of your connection speed
- Has a SmartPlay feature that lets you stream on a smart TV or Fire Stick
- Offers global server network of 6000+ servers in 61 countries
NordVPN is the perfect VPN if you want to watch Doctor Who for free from anywhere! With 400+ servers in the United Kingdom, you can easily unblock BBC iPlayer. On top of that, NordVPN is one of our strongest VPNs to unblock Disney Plus. You get instant access to all the seasons of Doctor Who you’ve ever wanted to watch!
When testing NordVPN, we were extremely impressed by how smooth our streaming experience was. It’s a very fast VPN that uses the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol. This means there’s zero lagging (no annoying loading wheels!), and it allows you to change your IP address in seconds.
What’s more? NordVPN lets you stream on any device you want. Their SmartPlay tool is designed for devices that don’t usually work with VPNs, such as your smart TV or Amazon Fire Stick. Just sit back on your couch and let the TARDIS take you anywhere while NordVPN does the work for you.
If you make use of NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee, you can stream with NordVPN for an entire month without paying anything! On top of that, there’s a limited deal available right now that gives new users 69% off their NordVPN subscription.
2. Surfshark: A fantastic streaming VPN for a great price
Streaming features:
- Watch online episodes of Doctor Who on unlimited devices
- Unblocks major streaming platforms (Disney+, iPlayer, Netflix, and more)
- Allows users to get a dedicated IP address (which makes it easier to stream)
- Has a growing network of 3200+ servers in 100 countries
Surfshark is one of our favorite VPNs to recommend for streaming. From our own experience with Surfshark, we know how quickly this VPN can unblock any major streaming site. This includes BBC iPlayer, but also Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Paramount+, and many more. It’s a fast VPN that gives you the ultimate streaming experience, meaning you can watch all Doctor Who seasons online on any device you like.
More importantly, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections. This means you and all your friends and family can use the VPN at the same time. It’s a real benefit that not many VPNs offer.
We also like to mention that Surfshark is a true value-for-money VPN. They’ve always got a very affordable base subscription, but also currently offer new users 82% off! While Surfshark’s server network is a bit smaller than NordVPN’s, you still have access to IPs in 100 countries, meaning you can unblock content (including Doctor Who episodes) from all over the world.
You can see for yourself what Surfshark can do for you if you make use of their money-back guarantee to get a 30-day free trial!
3. CyberGhost: Budget-friendly VPN for streaming Doctor Who
Streaming features:
- Large server network: 11500+ servers in 100 countries
- Very affordable VPN
- Unblocks major streaming services with ease
- Optimized streaming servers for iPlayer, Disney Plus, Netflix, and more
If you’ve never used a VPN before, CyberGhost might just be the perfect start for you. It is a very user-friendly VPN that won’t break your bank. CyberGhost is one of the cheapest premium VPNs you can find on the market right now.
This low price doesn’t affect quality, either: you can expect a stellar performance with this VPN. Whether you want to stream Doctor Who on BBC iPlayer or unblock the entire Disney+ library, CyberGhost can do it all. When testing CyberGhost, we were pleasantly surprised by its speed, security, and server network.
An especially useful feature is that CyberGhost offers dedicated streaming servers that are specifically optimized for a specific streaming platform. Want to watch Classic Who? Simply connect to their dedicated BBC iPlayer server, and you’re good to go! You can stream on any device you like, including PC, tablet, mobile, and Amazon Fire Stick.
Unlike the other VPN providers in this list, CyberGhost has a 45-day money-back guarantee, which you can use as a free trial by asking for a refund. This way, Doctor Who fans can stream as many episodes as they want for free in this period! After that, subscriptions start at $ 2.03 per month.
How We Chose the Best VPN for Streaming Doctor Who
When testing our VPNs to decide which are the best for unblocking Doctor Who online, we paid attention to a few key characteristics.
If you want to do your own research, keep this in mind when choosing your VPN:
- Unblocking streaming services: Can the VPN unblock BBC iPlayer and other streaming sites? This, of course, is the most important condition for any good streaming VPN. Luckily, NordVPN excels on this front!
- Speed and general performance: There’s nothing more annoying than a VPN slowing down your connection. We tested every single VPN for speed and performance and only recommend the fastest VPNs.
- VPN server network: It’s always a great benefit if a VPN has a large server network. After all, this means that you’ve got better access to other streaming services worldwide. If you’re going to invest in a VPN, you might as well take value for money!
- Online privacy and security: While it might not seem like the most important aspect for streaming, the better a VPN’s security features, the less likely you are to be blocked by any streaming provider.
Can you watch Doctor Who online with a free VPN?
While there are some great free VPNs out there, they come with big limitations. Many of them don’t have servers in the UK, meaning you can’t use them for unblocking the BBC.
On top of that, their servers tend to be very slow, making streaming a struggle: if you’re lucky and can get your episode to work with a free VPN, you’ll likely experience a lot of lag. Any Dalek you come across will surely take an annoyingly long time to “EX-TER-MI-NATE” anything.
That’s why we recommend a premium VPN to bypass geo-blocking more safely and easily. At the moment, NordVPN outperforms the competition on every front. It’s perfect for unblocking BBC iPlayer, as well as Disney+ and other streaming providers. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that there’s a fantastic deal on offer right now!
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
Alternative Stream: Watch Doctor Who on Disney Plus
Doctor Who fans who may be wondering where to watch Doctor Who worldwide are in luck: the new Doctor Who specials will premiere globally on Disney Plus, one of the best streaming services right now! The only exceptions to this Disney Plus release are the UK and Ireland, as well as any countries where Disney Plus has not (yet) aired.
It’s especially exciting that Doctor Who will be available for US audiences this way. Previously, it was available on BBC America in the United States, but not anymore.
Here’s the Who content you can expect to be released on Disney Plus:
- The 60th Anniversary episodes (November 25 – December 9, 2023) with David Tennant as the 14th Doctor
- The Doctor Who Christmas Special on December 25, which introduces Millie Gibson as the new companion
- All of series 14 with Ncuti Gatwa as the 15th Doctor
Keep in Mind:
Disney Plus will only host new Doctor Who content. For series 1 – 13, you will need to go to BBC iPlayer.
If you’ve already got a Disney+ subscription, this is a great chance to stream the show. Alternatively, users in countries where Doctor Who or Disney Plus aren’t available can get access to Disney Plus with a VPN.
Alternative Stream: Watch Doctor Who on Max
Fans with a Max subscription (HBO Max) have access to all thirteen existing seasons of Doctor Who on the streaming platform!
It’s looking like HBO Max won’t release the Christmas specials or Series 14; for that, you have to go to iPlayer or Disney Plus.
Still, you can catch up with series 1 through series 13 on Max. Subscriptions for (HBO) Max start at $9.99/month. If you’re outside of the United States, unblocking Max is going to require a VPN.
Want to Rent or Buy Doctor Who Episodes?
If you don’t want to use streaming, it’s also possible to get individual episodes via the Google Play Store or Apple TV.
Everything You Need to Know About Doctor Who
If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of getting invested in the Doctor Who TV series, we promise you you’ll soon be hooked! This British science-fiction series has been running since 1963 and is one of the most successful shows ever created.
Doctor Who follows the adventures of the Doctor, an alien Time Lord who travels through time in a spaceship called the TARDIS, often together with a human companion. Each time the Doctor regenerates (a body transformation process), a new actor can take on the role.
The First Doctor was played by William Hartnell, and some of the most popular portrayals have been by Matt Smith and Christopher Eccleston. In 2017, Jodie Whittaker became the first woman to play the role of the Doctor. For the upcoming series 14, Ncuti Gatwa will portray the Doctor. He is the first Black actor to take on the lead role.
Below, we give you an overview of the 60th Anniversary specials, the Doctor Who Christmas episode, and the long-awaited release of series 14.
Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials
To celebrate sixty years of Doctor Who, three anniversary episodes have recently been released:
- The Star Best: Released on November 25 (now on iPlayer and Disney Plus)
- Wild Blue Yonder: Released on December 2 (now on iPlayer and Disney Plus)
- The Giggle: Released on December 9 (now on iPlayer and Disney Plus)
With Russell T. Davies as the official showrunner, the specials featured David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor, Catherine Tate as Donna Noble, and Yasmin Finney as Rose Noble. We also got to enjoy the Toymaker, the villain portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris.
Of course, the anniversary episodes also introduced us to Ncuti Gatwa as the new Doctor! Without giving anything away, his introduction was a real game-changer in the show.
Since all the episodes have aired, you can now watch the 60th anniversary specials on BBC iPlayer or Disney Plus!
Doctor Who Christmas Special 2023
The time has come for everyone’s favorite Christmas tradition: a classic Doctor Who holiday episode!
On December 25 at 5.55 PM GMT, the Doctor Who Christmas Special will be released on BBC One/BBC iPlayer, as well as on Disney Plus.
Now that Ncuti Gatwa has fully taken over as the Fifteenth Doctor, it’s time for the first real adventure – and for our Doctor to meet his new companion! In the Christmas episode titled “The Church on Ruby Road,” we’ll see Millie Gibson‘s debut as Ruby Sunday.
Not too much is known, but the BBC has stated the following:
“Long ago, on Christmas Eve, a baby was abandoned in the snow. Today, Ruby Sunday meets the Doctor, goblins, stolen babies and, perhaps, the secret of her birth.”
– BBC
Whovians can watch the Christmas episode for free on BBC iPlayer. Make sure to have your VPN set up by December 25, 5.55 PM GMT. That’s 1.55 PM EST for American viewers.
How to Stream Doctor Who From Anywhere
If you’ve been looking for a way to watch Doctor Who online for free, a VPN offers the perfect solution. Since all episodes (including most of Classic Who!) are readily available on free streaming service BBC iPlayer, all you need to do is use a VPN to get a UK-based IP address.
NordVPN is our top VPN to watch Doctor Who online from anywhere, thanks to its ultra-fast servers and ability to unblock any streaming service of your choice. Moreover, it’s the perfect VPN to access Disney Plus, which will broadcast the Doctor Who Christmas Special in the United States and other countries worldwide.
Grab your sonic screwdriver and let NordVPN take you into the streaming universe! Soon, you’ll be unblocking the best TV shows with a single click, no matter where you are. Make use of NordVPN’s 30-day free trial through their money-back guarantee to stream Doctor Who right away!
For more information on streaming with a VPN and popular shows, check out some of our related articles:
- How to Watch Loki Online From Anywhere
- How to Watch The Amazing Race
- How to Watch Paramount Plus Anywhere
Do you have any questions about streaming Doctor Who? We provide quick answers to the most common FAQs below!
Yes! You can watch Doctor Who for free on BBC’s iPlayer. This British streaming service has series 1 through 13 of Doctor Who currently available, as well as 26 seasons’ worth of Classic Doctor Who episodes. On top of that, iPlayer will also release the upcoming specials and series 14! You can unblock BBC iPlayer worldwide with a VPN.
No, Doctor Who is not currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can, however, buy or rent Doctor Who seasons through Amazon.
BBC iPlayer has all seasons of Doctor Who and will also broadcast the new series 14. If you’re outside the United Kingdom, you can get access to iPlayer with a VPN.
