After months of speculation, it’s now official — Disney+ will no longer be involved with “Doctor Who” following its two-season partnership with the BBC and the upcoming spin-off, “The War Between the Land and the Sea”.
The BBC confirmed the news this week that “Doctor Who” will continue with a Christmas special set for 2026, written by returning showrunner Russell T Davies. The network assured fans that Doctor Who remains a cornerstone of British television, with more details on future seasons and even an animated preschool project to be announced soon.
A spokesperson said,
“The BBC remains fully committed to Doctor Who, which continues to be one of our most loved dramas. We can assure fans, the Doctor is not going anywhere.”
No more Disney financial support,
Disney+ first partnered with the BBC in 2023 to co-finance and distribute the long-running sci-fi series globally. The deal covered two seasons and one spin-off.
While the collaboration gave the BBC more money for production— reportedly costing around £10 million ($13.3 million) per episode — it did not generate the audience growth Disney or the BBC had hoped for.
It also doesn’t help that Davies spent more time trying to insert an agenda than he did trying to make a good story that felt like Doctor Who.
The ratings have been horrible,
Viewership in the U.K. and in America on Disney+ has been some of the lowest in decades.
What’s Next for “Doctor Who”?
According to reports, the BBC insists that the show will continue without Disney’s backing.
It’s long been rumored that they were looking for new partners, even before Disney officially announced they were out. Ncuti Gatwa got in and then announced he was “burned out” and leaving the show. This was after he kept making digs at the audience for months.
Gatwa made comments to those not liking changes to the show, saying “go find a hobby” and “go touch grass.”
It’s unclear who will be in the Christmas Special, as Gatwa has already transformed into Rose Tyler or The Moment (Billie Piper).
Davie’s Bad Wolf Production Company is still involved,
Bad Wolf, which took over Doctor Who production when Davies returned as showrunner, will continue to produce the series under the BBC banner. The studio is also responsible for the upcoming 2026 Christmas special, while BBC Studios will manage global distribution.
Pirates & Princesses (TM) (Stylized as PNP) is an independent, opinionated News and Information site focused on Travel, Entertainment, Fashion, the “Geek Girl” Lifestyle, and more. We focus heavily on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Orlando Resort, and other themed entertainment and travel destinations. Our news staff includes former theme park and entertainment industry employees, journalists and dedicated pop culture and theme park enthusiasts. Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of this site, our affiliates or our sponsors.