Doctor Who's Future: Christmas Special Confirmed, Disney+ Departs

Whovians, brace yourselves! The BBC has officially announced a new Doctor Who Christmas Special for 2026, but the show is also parting ways with its global streaming partner, Disney+.

TL;DR

• A new Doctor Who Christmas Special is officially set for December 2026, written by showrunner Russell T Davies.
• Disney+ is no longer a co-producer for Doctor Who after two seasons, though previous seasons and specials will remain on the platform.
• The BBC remains "fully committed" to the show, with future series plans and a new animated spin-off in the works, promising the TARDIS isn't going anywhere.

The TARDIS is Indeed Coming Home (Mostly) in 2026

Great news, fellow time travelers! After a period that felt longer than a trip through the time vortex, the BBC has officially confirmed that Doctor Who will return to our screens with a brand-new Christmas special in December 2026. And who's steering the ship? None other than the legendary showrunner Russell T Davies, who's set to pen this highly anticipated festive adventure.

This announcement is a huge relief for fans who've been on a rollercoaster of speculation and rumors regarding the show's future. The BBC has been steadfast in its commitment, repeatedly insisting that the Doctor is "not going anywhere," and now we have concrete proof. Even if it's a bit of a wait, knowing when we'll next see the Doctor in action is a welcome gift!

A Bittersweet Farewell to the Disney+ Era

While we're getting new Doctor Who, there's also a significant change in how the world will experience it. The BBC has confirmed that its co-production partnership with Disney+ is coming to an end. This means that after two seasons, Disney+ will no longer be involved in producing new episodes, though they will still be the home for the upcoming spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, later this year.

Many sources indicate that Disney's decision likely stemmed from the high production costs, reportedly around $13 million per episode, and a perceived underperformance in viewership numbers on the streaming platform. It seems that while Disney aimed to make Doctor Who a global powerhouse on par with shows like Stranger Things, the numbers didn't quite line up with their expectations.

"We'd like to thank Disney+ for being terrific global partners and collaborators 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, and we are delighted that Russell T Davies has agreed to write us another spectacular Christmas special for 2026. 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."

— Lindsay Salt, Director of Drama, BBC

However, for those worried about losing access to recent adventures, there's good news: the 60th-anniversary specials and the two seasons featuring Ncuti Gatwa, which originally premiered on Disney+ outside the UK, will remain available on the platform for now.

Unraveling the Mystery of Ncuti Gatwa's Exit and Billie Piper's Return

The last series finale, "The Reality War," left many fans scratching their heads. Ncuti Gatwa, who had impressed many as the Fifteenth Doctor, underwent a regeneration that audiences (and even some insiders) felt was rushed and unclear. What made it even more surprising was his regeneration into the very familiar face of Billie Piper, who famously played beloved companion Rose Tyler in the mid-2000s.

This "unexpected entrance" by Piper, presented as a new incarnation of the Doctor but "deliberately left ambiguous," has created a fascinating narrative limbo. Piper herself, while excited to return to the "Whoniverse," playfully stated that fans would "have to wait and see" about her character's exact role. This means the 2026 Christmas special will have quite a task: to "clean up" the narrative threads left dangling and, presumably, properly introduce the next Doctor, whether that's Piper or someone entirely new.

The BBC's Unwavering Commitment to the Whoniverse's Future

Despite the end of the Disney+ partnership and the financial challenges facing the BBC, the corporation is doubling down on its commitment to Doctor Who. Lindsay Salt's statement makes it clear: the show is a "most loved drama" and will continue to be a cornerstone of the BBC.

Beyond the 2026 Christmas special, the BBC has promised that "plans for the next series" will be announced "in due course," assuring fans that "the TARDIS remains at the heart of the BBC." They're also expanding the Whoniverse with a few other exciting projects:

• The War Between the Land and the Sea: A new spin-off series, starring Russell Tovey, is still on its way. It will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One later this year, and as confirmed, will also be available globally on Disney+.
• New CBeebies Animation: A brand-new Doctor Who animated series is currently in development for CBeebies, the BBC's children's channel, introducing the Doctor to a new generation of younger fans.

While the BBC has not yet announced a new global streaming partner for the Christmas 2026 special and subsequent seasons, it's highly likely they will find one. Doctor Who is a well-established, iconic IP with a passionate global fanbase. The search for a new international home for the Doctor is undoubtedly underway, and fans worldwide will be eagerly waiting for an update to avoid "months-delayed airings" or "VPN dependence."

Looking Ahead: More Questions and Even More Excitement

So, where does this leave us? We know Doctor Who is definitely coming back in December 2026, with Russell T Davies at the helm. We know the show is breaking up with Disney+, but the BBC is fully invested. And we know the next special will need to address the intriguing cliffhanger involving Billie Piper and introduce whoever will step into the Doctor's iconic shoes next.

There's still "so much we don't know," as one report put it, about the specific details of the next Doctor, the long-term format of the show, and its new international broadcast home. But the most important thing is confirmed: the Doctor will carry on. The universe is safe, for now, and we'll be ready for new adventures in the TARDIS, even if we have to wait a little longer to do so than we might like!

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Doctor Who's Future Answered When is the next Doctor Who episode going to air? The next episode confirmed is a Christmas special, set to air in December 2026. Where can I watch Doctor Who now that Disney+ is ending its partnership? In the UK, future Doctor Who content will air on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer. For international viewers, the BBC is currently seeking a new global streaming partner for the 2026 Christmas special and future series. Past seasons (including the Ncuti Gatwa era and 60th anniversary specials) are confirmed to remain on Disney+. Who is the next Doctor after Ncuti Gatwa? While Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor regenerated into Billie Piper in the last finale, the BBC has not yet confirmed if Piper will be the 16th Doctor. Her role is currently ambiguous, and the 2026 Christmas special is expected to clarify this and introduce the next official incarnation. What is "The War Between the Land and the Sea"? The War Between the Land and the Sea is a new Doctor Who spin-off series, starring Russell Tovey. It is expected to air on BBC iPlayer, BBC One, and Disney+ later this year. Sources

• BBC News (Paul Glynn, Culture reporter)
• The Verge (Charles Pulliam-Moore)
• TVLine (Kimberly Roots, Matt Webb Mitovich)
• Variety (Ellise Shafer)
• IGN (Wesley Yin-Poole)
• Den of Geek (Lacy Baugher)
• A.V. Club (Mary Kate Carr)
• Engadget