After months of speculation, we finally know what’s going on with Doctor Who.
The beloved sci-fi series has been trapped in TV purgatory since April 2025, when Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor surprised everyone by regenerating into Billie Piper.
Following that explosive finale, fans have been desperate for an update on the galivanting Gallifreyans’ next adventure.
Well, the BBC has finally revealed what’s going on, and we’ve got good and bad news.
On the one hand, the Doctor will return. Sadly, it won’t be for a long time.
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According to a BBC statement, Doctor Who will return in 2026 for a Christmas Special written by legendary writer Russell T Davies.
We also now know that Disney will not continue its partnership with the BBC on future seasons.
Since 2023, The House of Mouse has been working with the BBC and Davies’ production company to distribute the series internationally.
This had the effect of dramatically increasing the show’s budget – a move that proved divisive with fans.
‘We’d like to thank Disney Plus for being terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons, and for the upcoming The War Between the Land and the Sea,’ said Lindsay Salt, Director of Drama, BBC.
The statement also outlines the BBC’s commitment to the show and assures fans that a new series will be announced in due course, which ‘will ensure the TARDIS remains at the heart of the BBC.’
Director of BBC Drama Lindsay Salt had previously confirmed at the Edinburgh TV festival that the Beeb was committed to the series.
‘Any Whovians out there, rest assured – Doctor Who is going nowhere,’ she said. ‘The Tardis is going nowhere.’
There had been fears in the Doctor Who fandom that the series’ days were numbered.
What should happen next with Doctor Who?
Our Senior TV Reporter Asyia Iftikhar predicts what next for Doctor Who…
In the 2026 Christmas special I believeBillie Piper will make a fleeting appearance before the show quickly moves on.
I don’t think she ‘ll even last the full episode, and her cameo will be resolved perhaps even in the first 5 to 10 minutes, as the Doctor’s regeneration goes wacky due to Rose’s energy being in the Time Vortex after the Bad Wolf incident.
Billie will then regenerate into the true 16th Doctor, who will have their introductory adventure.
The show will then return in 2027 for a full season three (ideally returning to, at least, the 10-episode structure provided for Jodie Whittaker’s era) with a brand new companion.
Ncuti’s final season averaged a rather paltry 3.2million viewers over its eight-part run, which marked a half a million decline from the previous season.
Still, just because you won’t see the Docotr for a few months doesn’t mean we won’t be visiting the wider Whoniverse.
Before next year’s special, fans will get to enjoy The War Between the Land and the Sea, which is heading to BBC iPlayer and BBC One later this year, as well as a brand-new animation series for CBeebies.
Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.
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