Last week we sure did poke a little fun at Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies teasing that a press release was making its way through the BBC about the future of the beloved program. Well, now we know what that press release was, and what it’s about: Doctor Who has died at age 63.
…Or rather, in a press release titled “Update on plans for the future of Doctor Who” with the subheadline “Doctor Who remains an important part of the BBC” the BBC announced that the previously planned Christmas special, which would pick up on the cliffhanger of Billie Piper regenerating from the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) will not be followed up on. In fact, there will be no Christmas special at all, or Christmas. Christmas has also been canceled. Just kidding. Maybe.
The bigger shocker given Davies certainly seemed to be implying he was part of the future of the show is that, uh, he’s not. The man who rebooted the show in 2005 and returned for the past few seasons and specials has exited the show as showrunner. And not only that, Bad Wolf, which has produced the show since 2005, has exited as well.
To be clear on our part, that is not entirely clear from the press release, which only notes that the BBC has “decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Doctor Who Christmas episode.” But the more telling language is that “the BBC will put Doctor Who out to competitive tender this year.” What that means is the BBC is putting out the property to allow new creative partners (read: not Bad Wolf) to compete for the chance to make more Doctor Who.
While we wait to find out who will pick up the show that was so financially unsuccessful Disney quietly said goodbye to it without really telling anyone, Davies is pumping up the future on his way out, in an Instagram post.
“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,” Davies wrote. “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.”
Yep, the future of Doctor Who, which has been canceled and has no future episodes planned, sure seems bright. At least we know the Doctor always regenerates… Right?
You can read the BBCs statement in full below:
Today we’re announcing an update on plans for the future of Doctor Who.
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.
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.
The previously announced new Doctor Who animation series for CBeebies is currently in production.
Details of the tender will be announced in due course.
The BBC retains all IP in Doctor Who. BBC Studios will continue to lead the global distribution of Doctor Who as well as licensing, consumer products, digital and immersive experiences on behalf of the BBC.
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