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Entertainment October 28, 2025

BBC finally confirms Doctor Who future with legend returning to series

BBC finally confirms Doctor Who future with legend returning to series
The Doctor smiles as he exits the Tardis.
The Doctor will see you… in 2026 (Picture: BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/Dan Fearon)

After months of speculation, we finally know what’s going on withDoctor Who.


The beloved sci-fi series has been in TV purgatory since April 2025, whenNcuti Gatwa’s Doctor surprised everyone by regenerating into Billie Piper.


Following thatexplosivefinale, fans have been desperate for an update on the galivanting Gallifreyans’ next adventure.


Well, the BBC has finally revealed what’s going on, and we’ve got good and bad news.


On the one hand, the Doctor will return. Sadly, it won’t be for alongtime.

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According to a BBC statement, Doctor Who will return in 2026 for aChristmasSpecial written byRussell T Davies.

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout photo of Ncuti Gatwa in his final episode of Doctor Who. Billie Piper has replaced Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor, with the character regenerating during the finale of science-fiction series Doctor Who. Issue date: Saturday May 31, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ DoctorWho. Photo credit should read: BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
Ncuti Gatwa bowed out earlier this year (Picture: BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon/PA Wire)

We also now know that Disney will not be involved in the series.


“We’d like to thankDisney+ for being terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons, and for the upcoming The War Between the Land and the Sea,’ said Lindsay Salt, Director of Drama, BBC.
‘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.’


Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.

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