In what's proving to be a very active morning, the BBC announced that Doctor Who is being shelved for now. Here's what we learned...
In what's proving to be a very active morning, the BBC announced that Doctor Who is being shelved for now. Here's what we learned...
"You will get an announcement. There is a press release lumbering through the BBC, which, as you know, is like the Jurassic period and 57 people have to sign off on every single word. I promise you in about a week, two weeks, there will be some sort of press release, and yet I can hear the gears slowing down even as I say that. You know this place!
" That was the latest update from Showrunnerat the top of the month. Breaking out our fingers and toes, that would put the timeframe for a news relief sometime between June 1st and 15th. Well, today would be that day – and it's bad news. No Christmas Special.
No Doctor Who this year. Davies has bid his farewell. There's a lot to unpack – here's what the BBC and Davies had to share.
"As part of securing the next phase of the show for future generations, and in line with the BBC's Charter and Agreement requirements, the BBC will put Doctor Who out to competitive tender this year. Doctor Who remains an important part of the BBC and this tender underpins the BBC's continued commitment to Doctor Who ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come," the statement read.
"After careful consideration, the BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Doctor Who Christmas episode. This decision was not taken lightly, and we know it will be disappointing for fans, but in order to set the show up for future series, it was decided that rather than bridge the gap with a one off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show which ensures that when the TARDIS lands once more, it does so in all its glory.
"And so GOODBYE from me to Doctor Who but HELLO to a big new future for the show, as the BBC announces it's putting the show out to tender. As a result, there won't be a Christmas Special – we only cooked that up to guarantee a future when no one knew what would happen, but now we do know, there's no need for it.
You'll have to wait a bit longer for new Doctor Who… but you'll be waiting for MORE Doctor Who than a one-off. So it's worth it! For the record: there was no script, I never wrote it, and no actor was ever approached to play the next Doctor. You may disagree; fine, sit in that chair and wait to be proved right.
You'll wait a lonnng time 🪑 Now I'm as excited as anyone to see what comes next! Will they keep the theme tune? Will they lose the blue box? Will they bring back the Drahvin?!
It's all up for grabs, which is so Doctor Who, exciting and unpredictable and new! Here comes the future, vworp vworp 🌪️,"In October 2025, we learned that Davies would be writing the Christmas Special, with Davies sharing,"Here we go. Away in Danger? Jingle Hells?
Silent Blight? Hark the Weeping Angels Sing..? O Come All Ye… um, Nimon?
" A month later, during an interview with him from writing the special. "Not at the moment because I'm busy on . I'm also shooting a show in Manchester , so next year my plate clears, and we'll get to work on that.
" However, Davies made it clear that he's not going to be writing the special cold, adding,"I know exactly what happens in it, don't worry about that. "-themed"12 Days of Christmas" column. "Twelve months-a-waiting!
Next December, I'll be here to trumpet and toot about the 2026 Christmas Special. It contains these three words.
'Bafflers,' 'Winternox' and 'village. '" Shortly after, Davies shared that the bigwigs over at the BBC liked what Davies had planned for the special. "We haven't even started work on it yet," Davies revealed toregarding next year's Christmas special. "I know what happens, but I better write it down soon in case I get run over by a bus.
" Understandably, Davies didn't get into details – partly because it hasn't been written yet and partly because he's not going to spoil something that's still a year away. But it seems like the folks over at the BBC know what Davies is up to, and it left them"with jaws agape, loving it.
". Was Davies lying the entire time, and was the Christmas Special already being filmed? Could this be for something other than the special? Well, it didn't take long before social media started picking apart the"big leak," and now, we have McGann on the record, calling out and scoffing at the image.
Checking in with, McGann touched on the topic, making it clear that it wasn't real while joking with the hosts that they were part of the problem when speculated that it could be true but McGann can't discuss it because he's under some kind of non-disclosure agreement . Make sure to check out the complete episode , and here's the clip that James shared:, Bennett didn't offer a direct response when asked whether BBC Studios would cover some of the funding lost after the Disney deal ended.
"We're a big important part of 'Doctor Who' and are all motivated to make sure 'Doctor Who' has a long and flourishing life. We've got the Christmas special coming. After that, it's time for us all to work on it," Bennett noted, adding that he"won't speak for the BBC" or to its plans.
In terms of the BBC, BBC Studios is the company's commercial production and distribution arm and is responsible for shows likeoffered a fascinating insight into Davies and how he's approaching the scripts for the Christmas Special.
"I know that Russell's written, I think, multiple versions depending on certain outcomes… So that's all I really know, and I'm not sure I'm even supposed to know that," he shared. There are two ways to view that. On the one hand, multiple scripts are an effective way to keep spoilers from getting out – and"contingency" scripts are definitely not unheard of, as Gold explained.
That said, it could also speak to just how many of the questions we listed above still remain unanswered, ten months before the Christmas Special hits. Despite the rollercoaster ride that the long-running series has been on over the past few years, Gold is hopeful that Doctor Who will be back in fine form before we know it.
"I think we're at a precarious point for 'Doctor Who. ' I am hopeful that it's all going to be the start of a wonderful new era. So I really hope that that's what happens," he added. And before you ask, yes, Gold would definitely return to the series.
"If someone asks me and says, 'Would you? Do you want to do it?
' Of course, I would always say, 'Yes. ' I don't think I'd ever say, 'No' to Russell anyway. It's fun, even when it's hard!
" the composer shared.at a special screening event in May, Davies touched on the bigger issue of how television was experienced back then, as opposed to today. Specifically, how the lack of avenues for previews and spoilers added to the live viewing experience.
"We're well aware that Dalekmania existed, that hysteria and excitement, but we only ever read the clippings. We thrive on those clippings. But let's be blunt: if you're a child, you didn't read the Daily Mirror. There's not one child who stood in a playground saying, 'Oh, guess what it said in the newspaper' – or 'in the Radio Times.
' Trust me, I was there: that did not happen," Davies shared. The showrunner continued,"Everything we think of as 'publicity' you'd do in your own head.
'Oh, there's a new companion and she's from back in time? The way that Vicki was from the future, now they're taking someone from the past, that's interesting… She's going to travel with the Doctor… Oh, she thinks it's the Place of Perfection. Oh my God. She's dead.
'It's not that you read about this stuff; you saw it and experienced it. That's the way I wish all television could be made. Every time I pick up a copy of 'Inside Soap' – which is often, because I do buy 'Inside Soap' – I just think, you're so mad to give away all the storylines every week. Let people experience it fresh on television!
Wouldn't it be great if we got to this year's 'Doctor Who Christmas Special' and nothing had been spoiled and everything was new? Why do we do it any other way?
" Davies goes on to offer examples from the recently recovered episodes, explaining how they affected viewers who were watching the original broadcasts – essentially, turning the viewing experience into a shared event. "What you're seeing there is television as a live experience. Imagine the word of mouth the Monday after: 'Oh my God, they killed that girl from the TARDIS!
' I wonder if the following week's ratings went up – I know for a fact that the excitement among children would have. That's why it's no wonder the sixties stuff is welded, heart and soul, into the core of viewers. And people worship it still.
"revival seasons were heading to AMC+ this Summer. Yup, we're talkingback on in the U.S. . Here's what AMC+ won't have: the classic 1963 to 1989 run, the 60th anniversary specials, or Gatwa's run as the Doctor, which are currently streaming on Disney+.
Season 1 finale host Gatwa had a little fun at the show's expense – and Davies's cliffhanger – to help kick off the first season's show. During their opening monologue, Gatwa addressed those who claim fans have lost interest in the show over recent seasons.
"I've had so many fantastic roles in my career. Millions of you watched me as Eric in 'Sex Education,' and then about 12 of you watched me in 'Doctor Who.
' Maybe that's why I kept crying," Gatwa joked, referring to some fans who complained that their Doctor was a bit too teary-eyed. As for the question marks surrounding their Fifteenth Doctor regenerating into Piper's"Sixteenth Doctor," Gatwa offered a great response that's still being analyzed by fans on social media .
"Joking aside, it was genuinely a magical role. In fact, it was the first time my parents were truly proud of my career. When I told them I got the part, they said, 'Finally, a doctor in the family.
' Even though I have since regenerated into Billie Piper … I don't understand it either," Gatwa shared.about his future plans. "I don't actually know," Davies responded, before discussing his and the Pet Shop Boys' upcoming adaptation of Davies's hit Channel 4 dramafor a dance production that's set to premiere in Manchester. From there, Davies shifted back to what 2026 and 2027 are looking for him.
"I'm having a nice time. I'm kind of not rushing to write the next thing. I'm going to start now. The 'Tip Toe,' we finished work on that next week, and I'll start right on the next one.
So, that will take a few months. Then, we'll start talking to people about it. So, I won't be back filming anything until next year," Davies shared, adding thatis a production that comes down to the wire in terms of when it wrapped and when it premiered.holiday adventure, though there are some questions regarding when the interview was originally conducted.
As much as we would like to argue that he was looking to keep the focus onlive production – which was first announced in March 2026. That said, it also depends on how Davies labels his upcoming projects. If he's not involved in the Christmas Special beyond writing, he may not play a role in filming, so he wouldn't count that.
In addition, Davies could also be referring to upcoming projects that are still being written. Serving as Television Editor since 2018, Ray began five years earlier as a contributing writer/photographer before being brought onto the core BC team in 2017. The Directors Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have reached a tentative agreement.
With the series returning on August 27th, check out the overview and images for FX and Ben Kronengold & Rebecca Shaw's Adults Season 2. Sheriff Country star Christopher Gorham shared the title & writing credit for Season 2 Episode 2, along with a reaction video to the script. Shabana Azeez confirmed that her character will return for HBO Max's The Pitt Season 3, and in what capacity.
Daredevil: Born Again action director Philip J. Silvera teased that Season 3's action will be"leaning into the return of certain characters.
"Check out AMC's mini-teaser announcing that the official trailer for AMC's The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3 will drop on Wednesday. The Directors Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have reached a tentative agreement.
El Presidente reviews WWE Raw from Paris! Jacob Fatu defies The Usos, Je'Von Evans advances, and Chad Gable's redemption tour continues. Viva la lucha libre! With the series returning on August 27th, check out the overview and images for FX and Ben Kronengold & Rebecca Shaw's Adults Season 2.
Sheriff Country star Christopher Gorham shared the title & writing credit for Season 2 Episode 2, along with a reaction video to the script. Shabana Azeez confirmed that her character will return for HBO Max's The Pitt Season 3, and in what capacity.
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