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The BBC has confirmed that Doctor Who will move forward without Disney+ funding, marking a major shift for the iconic sci-fi series. After two seasons of co-production between the BBC and Disney+, the streaming giant has reportedly withdrawn its financial backing, leaving the BBC to take full creative control once again.
Despite the shake-up, fans can breathe a sigh of relief. The Doctor is not going anywhere. BBC bosses have already announced that the series will return with a brand-new Christmas special in 2026, written by showrunner Russell T Davies, followed by a full season expected to air in 2027.
Lindsay Salt, Director of Drama at the BBC, confirmed the news, saying:
“We’d like to thank Disney+ for being terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons. 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.”
The Disney deal, first announced in 2022, was designed to give Doctor Who a global platform on Disney+, allowing international fans to stream the show day-and-date with UK audiences. While it significantly boosted the series’ production value, particularly in visual effects and international marketing, insiders say both sides agreed to part ways amicably as the BBC looks to “reclaim full creative and financial independence” over one of its flagship titles.
The change comes after a dramatic run of episodes earlier this year. In the May finale, fans were left stunned when Ncuti Gatwa, the Fifteenth Doctor, appeared to regenerate into Billie Piper, returning to the franchise nearly two decades after first appearing as companion Rose Tyler. The shocking twist left audiences guessing about what’s next, and now it seems the BBC is steering the show into a new era once again.
While Gatwa’s tenure as the Doctor lasted just two seasons, it was widely praised for revitalising the show with humour, heart, and a modern edge. His chemistry with co-stars and Russell T Davies’ writing brought new life to the long-running franchise. As one BBC insider told Oasis FM: “The international partnership with Disney was a great experiment, but Doctor Who has always been uniquely British, and this feels like the show coming home again.”
Fans can expect Davies’ trademark blend of emotional storytelling and blockbuster spectacle when the 2026 Christmas special lands. Although plot details remain tightly under wraps, speculation is already rife that the story will address the cliffhanger regeneration and set up a new era for the Doctor in 2027.
For now, the TARDIS may have lost its Disney co-pilot, but the BBC insists it’s ready to take the controls once more. After 60 years of adventures through time and space, Doctor Who continues to prove that no matter what happens behind the scenes, the Doctor always finds a way back.
