Russell T Davies has responded to rumors that Doctor Who is cancelled, clarifying that the BBC putting the show up for bidding is actually a sign of its continuation, not its end.
The BBC recently announced it will be opening up bidding for the production of Doctor Who to ensure the show continues for years to come. They also confirmed that the Christmas special previously planned for 2026 has been cancelled.
Davies revealed he’s no longer the showrunner, and Bad Wolf, the company behind the show’s revival in 2023, is also leaving the production.
The recent news has sparked a lot of discussion about what’s next for Doctor Who. This is especially true after Ncuti Gatwa’s last episode ended with a surprising twist – his character transformed into Billie Piper, leaving viewers wondering what will happen next.
Despite reports to the contrary, Russell Davies firmly denied the show’s cancellation during a June 12th interview on Gaydio.
He expressed surprise at seeing newspapers report the show’s cancellation. He clarified that wasn’t true, explaining the show is actually being re-bid through a process called ‘putting it out to tender,’ which might not be familiar to everyone in the industry.
Davies explained that putting a program ‘out to tender’—something happening with all BBC shows, including Casualty and even the weather forecast—means asking independent production companies to pitch ideas for making it instead of having the BBC produce it directly.
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So, I was hearing from Russell T Davies about Doctor Who, and it sounds like even though they’re opening up production to bids from other companies – basically putting it up for grabs – BBC Studios isn’t necessarily out of the picture. He suggests they could still be involved in making future episodes, which is reassuring for fans of their work on the show.
Companies like BBC Studios, which operates separately from the main BBC public service broadcasting, are eligible to participate. At least, that’s my understanding – though I don’t have inside knowledge as it’s a complex legal matter and I’m not involved in the selection process.
This week, the BBC confirmed that Doctor Who is still a key part of its programming. They stated that a recent agreement demonstrates their ongoing dedication to the show, meaning viewers can expect to continue enjoying it for many years.
Davies agreed, explaining that the way the show is being re-commissioned suggests Doctor Who is planned for a long-term run, not just a single comeback.
I was chatting with someone involved with Doctor Who, and they explained the thinking behind the show’s future. It sounds like they’re planning for the long haul – and I don’t think it’s just wishful thinking. Because of the way the production contracts work, nobody’s going to bid on a single season. It needs to be a longer commitment to make it financially viable. So, from what I understand, this practically guarantees Doctor Who will be around for years to come, which is fantastic news for fans!
“But no, go ahead and call it cancelled. You’re wrong, you’re literally wrong.”
A listener to Gaydio radio asked Russell T Davies if he could travel back in time using the Doctor Who time machine (the TARDIS), would he change anything about how he ran the show during his second time as producer.
He chuckled, saying he had no regrets. “I truly enjoyed my work,” he explained. “Honestly, I’d jump at the chance to travel anywhere – even to Mars! Why would I ever want to return to a previous job when there’s a whole universe out there? Let’s go explore Mars, Neptune, and everything else beyond.”
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Davies shared his thoughts on social media after the BBC revealed the show’s future, bidding farewell to his era of Doctor Who and welcoming a new direction for the series.
As a huge Doctor Who fan, I was excited to hear that while we’ll have to be patient for the next installment, it definitely won’t be just a single special! It sounds like we’re getting a substantial amount of new Doctor Who to look forward to, which is fantastic news.
The BBC has decided to cancel the planned Christmas special for 2026, but says this is to allow them to focus on ensuring the show continues successfully in the future. They’ve promised that Doctor Who – and the TARDIS – will definitely be back.
Steven Moffat, who used to run Doctor Who, also commented on the recent news. He told TopMob he was just as surprised as everyone else, saying he had no idea what was happening or what to expect next. However, he reassured fans that the Doctor will ultimately be okay, pointing out that the character always escapes dangerous situations.
You can now watch Doctor Who on BBC iPlayer. For a complete look at the show – including episode reviews from every season since 1963, information about the cast and crew, behind-the-scenes details, and exclusive content from the TopMob archive – check out our Doctor Who story guide.
Don’t miss Doctor Who! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV suggestions, articles, and more.
Authors
Morgan Jeffery leads the editorial content for TopMob’s online platforms as their Digital Editor. Before this, he worked as TV Editor at Digital Spy and appeared as a television commentator on programs like BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 5 Live, and Sky Atlantic.
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2026-06-13 13:06