Disney’s Shocking Ultimatum: Replace Doctor Who’s Star and Showrunner or Face Cancellation!

According to reports by YouTube’s Mr. H Reviews, there’s a buzz that Disney is pressuring the BBC. The pressure point? If they want Doctor Who to keep receiving funding from Disney, showrunner Russell T Davies and current actor Ncuti Gatwa may have to step down from their roles. This news, it seems, stems from a reliable insider with a history of accurate leaks.

According to his own recent statements, this disclosure is consistent with what Davies has said. He confessed on David Tennant’s podcast that talks have begun regarding who might replace him as the showrunner once he decides to step down.

Davies’ Comments on His Future With Doctor Who

In the podcast conversation titled “David Tennant Does a Podcast With…“, Davies reminisced about the procedure of choosing a fresh showrunner, bringing up the instance when Steven Moffat took over from him in 2010, doing so with minimal fuss.

He mentioned that he would eventually have to take a break, “That’ll happen in time.” Previously, when Steven Moffat took over from him, it was as easy as being told, “Alright, you’re off!” However, there were considerations and discussions involved. It’s a complex situation, he added.

It appears that his comments hint towards the possibility that a contingency plan may be in place for the position of Doctor Who showrunner, but he did not provide any details regarding when such a transition might take place.

Is Ncuti Gatwa on His Way Out?

Mr. H Reviews alleges that Gatwa has already recorded his regeneration sequence, suggesting he’s wrapping up his time as The Doctor. If validated, this suggests the BBC may be gearing up for a changeover, but it’s undecided if Disney’s reported requests had any impact on this supposed decision.

I’ve heard whispers from reliable sources near Gatwa suggesting a move to Hollywood might be on the cards for him. Interestingly, fans have spotted that Ncuti Gatwa has deleted “15th Doctor” from his social media profile. Although this could just be a coincidence, it does lend credence to the rumors that his time as the Doctor may be drawing to a close. Normally, actors who play the Doctor prominently display their title, so Gatwa’s subtle deletion might hint at him already planning his next steps.

Among Mr. H Reviews’ unexpected assertions is that Michael Sheen is being considered as the next Doctor by Disney. Previously, Sheen declined the role, but with Disney in the mix, there’s talk of a larger compensation enticing him. Yet, Sheen typically isn’t motivated by financial gain, leaving it unclear if he would accept the offer.

It appears that a significant change might occur, and the main point of speculation is whether or not “Doctor Who” will carry on. According to Mr. H Reviews, there’s a high chance the show may get cancelled altogether. Disney has postponed renewal talks several times, initially planning to decide by summer 2024, then after the Christmas special (which unfortunately won’t air), and now they’re keeping an eye on Season 2’s performance. If viewership numbers don’t improve, the series might be discontinued.

No Christmas Special Planned?

Fuelling further conjecture, it’s been reported by Mr. H that there doesn’t seem to be a Christmas special scheduled for Doctor Who in 2025. Typically, these special episodes are produced way ahead of time, so the lack of one this year is quite extraordinary.

Given the show’s tumultuous state, this could indicate larger behind-the-scenes issues.

Doctor Who Ratings Hit Historic Lows

One significant reason fueling these speculations is the show’s poor ratings performance during its first full season under Davies and Gatwa. Reportedly, these episodes have garnered the lowest ratings in the 60-year history of ‘Doctor Who’. If Disney is indeed applying pressure on the BBC to make adjustments, it’s probably due to this significant drop in audience numbers.

Given that these reports are yet to be verified, the blend of insider information, Davies’ statements, and decreasing viewership creates a bleak outlook for the continuation of Doctor Who. If Disney indeed holds the reins, significant alterations or even the cancellation of the series could be imminent.

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2025-03-12 20:55