Context:

Adesoji Kukoyi, a devoted Doctor Who fan from Nigeria, expresses immense excitement over the news that an upcoming episode will be set in Lagos, marking the first time the show is primarily set in Africa. The choice of Nigeria as a setting holds significance due to the 2013 discovery of lost Doctor Who episodes in a Nigerian TV facility and resonates with the local fanbase. Ariyon Bakare's role in the episode promises a vibrant depiction of Lagos, featuring cultural elements and folklore, with speculation around the inclusion of Anansi, a legendary character. Inua Ellams, the episode's scriptwriter, highlights the cultural connection between Nigerians and the Doctor, emphasizing the potential for new storytelling avenues with Ncuti Gatwa, an actor of African descent, as the Doctor. Despite the show's reduced reach in Nigeria due to broadcasting changes, dedicated fans like Mr. Kukoyi remain eager to witness the Doctor's adventures in Lagos through streaming services.

Dive Deeper:

• Adesoji Kukoyi, a long-time Doctor Who enthusiast, is thrilled about the show setting an episode in Lagos, Nigeria, a first for the series in Africa, which he believes is a significant milestone for both the show and its Nigerian fans.

• The episode is particularly meaningful given the 2013 recovery of nine lost Doctor Who episodes in Nigeria, which previously delighted fans worldwide and strengthened the show's connection to the country.

• Ariyon Bakare, who stars as the mysterious Barber in the episode, describes it as a 'time-bending cultural ancestral collision' with elements of traditional Nigerian culture, including a bustling market and local folklore.

• Scriptwriter Inua Ellams points out that the Doctor's boisterous and over-confident nature resonates with Nigerians, and Ncuti Gatwa's casting as the Doctor allows for authentic African narratives to be explored.

• Despite no longer being broadcast on Nigerian public TV, Doctor Who maintains a dedicated Nigerian audience, with fans like Mr. Kukoyi eagerly anticipating the episode's release on streaming platforms.

• Mr. Kukoyi recalls his childhood fascination with Doctor Who, influenced by British shows during the 1980s in Nigeria, and hopes that his daughters will also come to appreciate the show through its Nigerian episode.

• The portrayal of Lagos in Doctor Who is seen as an opportunity to blend traditional cultural elements with the show's sci-fi themes, potentially broadening its appeal to Nigerian viewers.