What is the significance of regeneration in Doctor Who?

In the British television series Doctor Who, the Time Lord alien known as the Doctor has the ability to regenerate into a new body and personality when near death. This plot device was introduced in the show in 1966 as a way to explain the change in actors playing the Doctor, and has since become a defining feature of the series.

Regeneration allows the show to constantly reinvent itself, with new actors and showrunners bringing their own unique spin on the Doctor's adventures through time and space. It also allows for new viewers to easily jump into the show without needing to watch every episode that came before, as each new Doctor brings a fresh start to the series.

Furthermore, regeneration is a central theme in Doctor Who, as it highlights the idea of change and the resilience of the Time Lords. The process of regeneration can be traumatic for the Doctor, but ultimately allows them to continue on their adventures and fight for what is right in the universe.