Doctor Who Returning Despite Disney Drama

by

It appears that the BBC plans to continue airing “Doctor Who,” regardless of whether or not Disney decides to end their collaboration. In 2022, Disney obtained streaming rights for a new series of “Doctor Who,” which included the 60th anniversary specials featuring David Tennant and laid the groundwork for subsequent seasons starring Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor. As Disney considers reducing spending on streaming content, there have been whispers that they might not renew their agreement with the BBC for future episodes of “Doctor Who,” creating uncertainty about the show’s future.

According to insiders involved in the production of “Doctor Who,” showrunner Russell T. Davies has penned scripts for two upcoming seasons. Despite potential changes in ownership next season, it’s suggested that such shifts might not drastically affect the series as some fans may anticipate. The reason being, around £10 million is invested per episode to enhance the show’s visual quality for Disney 4K streaming, an aspect that wouldn’t trouble the BBC since they air in standard high definition. A source shared this information with The Mirror.

When Doctor Who started collaborating with Disney+, extra financing was established. Given that Doctor Who is quite costly to produce, with a large portion of the budget allocated for special effects, it’s worth noting that if Disney were to cease funding, the production wouldn’t be as drastically affected as some fans might assume. The TARDIS set in Cardiff remains prepared for fresh journeys.

Expect a Delay…and Maybe a New Doctor

Disney has yet to make a definitive decision about their collaboration with the popular series, “Doctor Who.” They’ve stated they will wait until after the Series 15 finale on May 31, 2025, before making any moves. Despite this uncertainty, the BBC is planning to continue producing “Doctor Who,” which may delay the next season’s release. The series is tentatively set to resume in 2026, and fans might have to wait until 2027 for a new installment. This could potentially mean that “Doctor Who” Christmas specials might not air in both 2025 and 2026. As one source told The Mirror:

Regardless of whether Disney remains involved or not, it’s anticipated that the series will carry on. Of course, there will be a break while scripts are completed, episodes are filmed, and editing occurs. But rest assured, we’ll return. The hiatus won’t last indefinitely, merely a significant pause.

There’s been no confirmation yet if Ncuti Gatwa will appear as The Doctor in the new scripts by Russell T. Davies for Doctor Who. Speculations are arising that the final episode might conclude Gatwa’s run and lead to a regeneration. If it does happen, fans may be disappointed since Gatwa has only been in 16 episodes and three specials over two years. However, many would understand if Gatwa decides to leave the series due to its recent controversies, particularly from certain toxic segments of the fanbase who’ve criticized it for “going woke” after casting a Black actor as The Doctor.

According to The Mirror, although ratings for Doctor Who have dropped compared to 2024 figures, the show remains a well-known brand and attracts a large audience on BBC iPlayer. It’s uncertain how well it performs on Disney+ because streaming numbers aren’t disclosed. Despite not being as popular on traditional broadcasting nowadays, many shows opt for streaming instead. The television industry has undergone significant changes since Doctor Who came back twenty years ago, and even more so during the Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, and Jodie Whittaker eras. However, one thing that remains constant is that there’s still an audience for Doctor Who, much like its title character, it continues to find ways to reappear.

Read More

2025-05-17 00:04