Flanagan is a notorious Whovian. The most direct Doctor Who reference in Bly Manor is the outfit that Owen wears to his mother's funeral — a tweed jacket with a distinguished bow tie. Matt Smith's version of the Doctor is famous for saying that "bow ties are cool." (As confirmation, actor Rahul Kohli, who plays Owen, tweeted that this outfit choice was a direct reference to the Doctor.) We also see Miles wearing a bow tie when he and Flora perform for the staff.