The new animated series Doctor Who: TARDIS Crew has sparked debate, with the daleks drawing comparisons to Despicable Me-style minions. The series, aimed at younger audiences, introduces a fresh take on the iconic Dalek design, making them more visually appealing to kids with added utensils and real eyes. Critics, however, can't help but see the resemblance to the evil henchmen of Despicable Me.

The BBC has announced a total of 52 eleven-minute episodes, each packed with action and adventure, designed to encourage curiosity and problem-solving in young viewers. The series stars a young blue-haired doctor and his friends, Hannah, Beastie, and Toast-IE. While some fear that the strong female character and the dalek redesign might be unoriginal, others see it as a clever and imaginative step in the evolution of the Whoniverse.

The daleks’ design transformation, with sink plunger arms and more utensils, is a nod to the silliness of their existing design, making them more relatable to younger kids. However, the resemblance to Gru's minions is hard to ignore, prompting questions about whether the redesign was intentional or simply a case of the familiar becoming the new.

The series is part of a broader effort by the BBC to explore new formats and audiences for Doctor Who. Critics have noted that the initial artwork has sparked a lot of negative commentary, particularly from middle-aged men who feel the show is aimed at them. Whether the series will be a success remains to be seen, but it certainly brings a fresh perspective to the Whoniverse.