*The BBC has announced that “Doctor Who” will keep moving forward with production even though Disney+ has ended its deal to stream the series internationally outside the U.K. and Ireland.
The update comes after speculation about the show’s future, with the broadcaster confirming plans for a 2026 Christmas special penned by showrunner Russell T Davies. “We’d like to thank Disney+ for being terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons, and for the upcoming [spinoff series] The War Between the Land and the Sea,” said Lindsay Salt, director of drama at the BBC.
“The BBC remains fully committed to Doctor Who, which continues to be one of our most loved dramas, and 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,” Salt added. This statement directly addressed speculation that the series might be permanently cancelled.
The long-running British sci-fi program, which originally debuted in 1963, last aired in May when Ncuti Gatwa’s doctor regenerated into Billie Piper during the season finale. Piper previously portrayed the Doctor’s companion Rose Tyler during the revival of the series in 2005. Her return raised questions about whether she would become the 16th Doctor. Tyler told fans they would have to “wait and see” what the producers are planning for her character.
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In a statement, she said, “It’s no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so 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.”
Meanwhile, details remain unclear regarding the exact return date for the next season and which actor will portray the Doctor.
The spinoff “The War Between The Land And The Sea,” starring Russell Tovey, will premiere on BBC One later this year. Additionally, CBeebies is developing a new animated “Doctor Who” series.
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