The future of the beloved sci-fi series “Doctor Who” has been officially outlined, as Disney+ concludes its partnership with the BBC after two seasons of collaboration. The decision comes in the wake of speculation surrounding the show’s direction following lead Ncuti Gatwa’s departure in May and without an official renewal for a third season.
In a statement, Lindsay Salt, BBC’s director of drama, confirmed that the network is committed to advancing the “Doctor Who” legacy. To cement this commitment, the BBC will be introducing a new Christmas special in 2026, crafted by veteran writer Russell T Davies. Salt expressed gratitude to Disney+ for their partnership, highlighting their collaborative effort on the upcoming special titled “The War Between the Land and the Sea.”
“We’d like to thank Disney+ for being terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons,” Salt stated. “The BBC remains fully committed to ‘Doctor Who,’ which continues to be one of our most loved dramas. We are delighted that Russell T Davies has agreed to write us another spectacular Christmas special for 2026. We can assure fans, the Doctor is not going anywhere, and we will be announcing plans for the next series in due course which will ensure the TARDIS remains at the heart of the BBC.”
This year, fans can look forward to “The War Between the Land and the Sea,” a spinoff featuring actors Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, which will be available on Disney+, BBC One, and BBC iPlayer. Additionally, a new animated series based on “Doctor Who” is currently in development for CBeebies, the BBC’s children’s channel.
As for the identity of the next Doctor, it remains uncertain following the dramatic conclusion of Season 2, where Gatwa’s Doctor regenerated into Billie Piper, known for her portrayal of companion Rose Tyler. While her return has not been officially confirmed, Piper expressed her enthusiasm about rejoining the franchise, stating, “It’s no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse. To be given the opportunity to step back on that TARDIS one more time was just something I couldn’t refuse, but who, how, why, and when, you’ll just have to wait and see.”
As the series navigates this transition, fans can remain hopeful for exciting developments in the “Doctor Who” universe. The commitment from the BBC alongside the creative talent of returning writers bodes well for the show’s continued journey into captivating storytelling.