Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor in Doctor Who S02E08 / BBC
Disney+ has officially ended its co-production agreement with the BBC for Doctor Who, it has been confirmed.
The global streamer picked up the non-UK rights to the show in 2022 as part of an investment deal that included multiple specials, two seasons of the main show and a five-part spinoff, The War Between The Land and The Sea.
The future of the show has been in limbo since the most recent season finished in May, but now the BBC has announced that Disney has decided not to continue with the partnership.
The corporation has consistently stated that Doctor Who will continue with or without its wealthy partner, however, and has now confirmed the show’s return with a Christmas special in 2026 to be penned by Russell T Davies.
Whether the BBC seeks a new international partner for the next full series – expected in 2027 – or proceeds with the show solo, as before, remains to be seen.
The news came after it was revealed that the spinoff show will air on the BBC and Disney+ in December, earlier than the previously-announced 2026 airdate.
BBC director of drama Lindsay Salt said: “We’d like to thank Disney+ for being terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons, and for the upcoming The War Between the Land and the Sea.
“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 most recent series ended on a cliffhanger as Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor regenerated before Billie Piper, who previously starred as companion Rose Tyler, appeared in his place.
