Disney+ has ended its partnership with the BBC after two seasons of Doctor Who. The streaming deal made Disney+ the global home of the sci-fi series outside the U.K. and Ireland. The BBC will now move forward on its own, beginning with a new Christmas special in 2026 written by Russell T Davies.
BBC Confirms the Show’s Future
Speculation had been growing since Ncuti Gatwa’s departure as the Fifteenth Doctor in May. With no Season 3 renewal in place, fans questioned what would happen next. The BBC has now confirmed the series will continue.
“We’d like to thank Disney+ for being terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons, and for the upcoming spinoff The War Between the Land and the Sea,” said Lindsay Salt, BBC director of drama. “The BBC remains fully committed to Doctor Who. We’re thrilled that Russell T Davies will write another spectacular Christmas special for 2026. The Doctor isn’t going anywhere.”
End of the Global Streaming Deal
Disney+ and the BBC first announced their deal in October 2022. It covered two seasons starring Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor and the spinoff The War Between the Land and the Sea. Disney+ will continue streaming those seasons and specials in its existing territories.
A Split That Was Expected
The partnership’s end was not a surprise. The contract always included only two seasons and one spinoff. Disney stayed quiet about the show’s future, fueling rumors of its exit.
Streaming numbers were never released, but Doctor Who didn’t match the success of Disney’s Star Wars or Marveltitles. The series never broke into Nielsen’s top 10 list of original streaming shows.
What Comes Next for the Doctor
Gatwa’s final episode ended with the Doctor regenerating into Rose Tyler, played by Billie Piper. Piper was the companion to the Ninth and Tenth Doctors, Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant. The BBC hasn’t confirmed if she will take over as the next Doctor. If she does, she’ll be the second woman to play the role after Jodie Whittaker’s run from 2018 to 2022.
The Doctor’s next destination may be unknown, but the BBC insists the journey continues. The TARDIS, it seems, is still in motion.
