BBC teases potential new streaming partner for Doctor Who as show’s future affirmed as “treasured brand”

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I’m so excited for the Doctor Who Christmas special this year! But I’ve been a little worried about what happens after that, especially with the Disney deal ending. Thankfully, the head of BBC Drama just hinted that they’re talking to someone new who might help continue the show – which is fantastic news for a longtime fan like me!

Last year, the BBC revealed that its collaboration with Disney on the show Doctor Who had finished. Over the course of their partnership, they produced 26 episodes, including the two seasons starring Ncuti Gatwa and the spin-off series The War Between the Land and the Sea.

Despite the BBC’s repeated assurances about continuing Doctor Who, there’s uncertainty about how the show will be financed moving forward.

As a big fan of both BBC and HBO shows, I was really intrigued to hear about their new collaboration on projects from Richard Gadd and Michaela Coel. It got me thinking, and someone actually asked Lindsay Salt, who heads up drama at the BBC, if this could mean they might team up on Doctor Who too. It’s an interesting thought – imagine what they could do with that show!

She didn’t dismiss the possibility, stating to Deadline that they’re still figuring things out. She praised HBO as creative partners and acknowledged the shifting landscape of the industry.

Salt also reaffirmed the BBC’s dedication to Doctor Who, explaining that they want to approach its future carefully and take the time needed to get it right. He stressed that Doctor Who is a highly valued program for the BBC and will continue to be a part of its lineup.

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You know, everyone was wondering how this sci-fi show could keep going with a much smaller budget. I recently heard from someone involved that it’s all about resourcefulness. Apparently, they stepped into the project when some international funding fell apart, and it really opened their eyes to how determined producers and writers are to get things made, no matter the financial limitations. They said funding is coming from so many unexpected places these days, which is really encouraging.

This year’s Christmas special has a complex storyline to address, as Ncuti Gatwa’s time as the Doctor has come to an end. The last episode, ‘The Reality War,’ showed the Doctor regenerating into Billie Piper, who is returning to the show.

While Piper’s return is happening, she hasn’t been announced as the next Doctor, suggesting there’s another reason for her reappearance.

Details about the upcoming Doctor Who holiday special are scarce, but composer Murray Gold recently shared that multiple script versions are being written. Speaking on the Half the Picture podcast, he explained that Russell T Davies has created different versions depending on how things develop, adding that he wasn’t even sure he was supposed to know this information.

Doctor Who will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Christmas.

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Authors

Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor

Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor at TopMob, where she writes about popular franchises like Doctor Who, Star Wars, Marvel, House of the Dragon, and Good Omens. Before joining TopMob, she was a Senior Entertainment Reporter at Metro and holds a degree in English Literature.

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2026-02-23 20:38