After months of speculation, it's finally official: Disney+ is stepping away from "Doctor Who". The streaming giant, which co-produced two seasons of the beloved British sci-fi series along with the BBC and an upcoming spin-off titled "The War Between the Land and the Sea", will no longer be involved with the franchise going forward.
The BBC confirmed the news this week, assuring fans that Doctor Who will continue to thrive under its own banner.
"Disney has been a terrific global partner and collaborator 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. 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," said BBC Drama Director Lindsay Salt.
The long-running show will return in 2026 with a Christmas special written by showrunner Russell T Davies, who reignited the series in the mid-2000s and returned to helm its latest revival. Additional details about upcoming seasons, as well as a new animated project for preschool audiences, will be announced in due course.
Salt's statement echoes the BBC's long-standing commitment to keeping "Doctor Who" alive, regardless of co-production partnerships. The series, first broadcast in 1963, has endured countless regenerations-both of its central character and its creative direction-and continues to be one of Britain's most iconic television exports.
Rumors of Disney+ ending its partnership with the BBC began swirling months ago, with many speculating that the deal, originally inked for two seasons and a spin-off totaling 26 episodes, would not be extended. The partnership was significant, marking "Doctor Who"'s biggest international push in its 60-year history. Disney's financial backing reportedly boosted the show's budget to around £10 million (approximately $13.3 million) per episode, allowing for cinematic visual effects, bigger guest stars, and more ambitious storytelling.
However, despite critical praise and fan enthusiasm for its new energy, the series struggled to achieve the blockbuster viewership both studios hoped for, especially in the U.S. market.
The period also saw turbulence behind the scenes. Ncuti Gatwa, who played the Fifteenth Doctor, announced his departure from the role earlier this year, citing burnout after an intense production schedule. Adding intrigue to the transition, the season finale hinted at Billie Piper's return as Rose Tyler, a familiar face from Davies's earlier "Doctor Who" era.
Davies himself acknowledged the uncertain road ahead in a recent production diary for "Doctor Who" Magazine, saying, "We don't know what's happening yet, and while everyone works that out, I'll take a pause on this page… Hopefully, we'll have news soon."
Despite Disney's departure, the BBC insists that "Doctor Who"'s future remains secure. Jane Tranter, executive producer and co-founder of Bad Wolf Productions, now the creative home of "Doctor Who", was quick to defend the show's vitality after a former writer declared it "dead as we've ever known it."
"That's simply not true," Tranter said, calling the comments "rude." She emphasized that the show has survived for decades without major U.S. backing and remains a cornerstone of BBC programming.
Bad Wolf will continue to produce the 2026 Christmas special, with BBC Studios handling global distribution. The upcoming spin-off, "The War Between the Land and the Sea", remains on track to premiere next year.
Tags: disney+, doctor who, bbc