It is a continuation of the original Doctor Who and the 1996 TV Movie Doctor Who. Intimate knowledge of the Doctor's past adventures and incarnations is optional and is not needed to understand the current incarnation of the show, however several characters and past doctors are reintroduced and referenced throughout the show's run. A passing familiarity with the eight Doctors who came before doesn't hurt, and the series itself provides the occasional overview of past Doctors.
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It is a continuation of the original Doctor Who and the 1996 TV Movie Doctor Who. Intimate knowledge of the Doctor's past adventures and incarnations is optional and is not needed to understand the current incarnation of the show, however several characters and past doctors are reintroduced and referenced throughout the show's run. A passing familiarity with the eight Doctors who came before doesn't hurt, and the series itself provides the occasional overview of past Doctors.