LONDON (AP) — The time-traveling protagonist of ‘Doctor Who’ has weathered countless close calls and transformations throughout more than 60 years on television.
However, could this be the end for the BBC’s iconic science fiction program that has captivated multiple generations of viewers?
The British network has pulled a holiday special that was previously scheduled for this year, while showrunner Russell T. Davies has announced his departure from the series.
Davies was set to pen the holiday episode, which was revealed when the most recent season concluded in May 2025.
On Wednesday, the BBC announced that the network, Davies, and production partner Bad Wolf ‘have collectively decided not to go ahead’ with the holiday installment. The broadcaster stated it remains committed ‘to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show.’
The network revealed plans to seek bids from production companies interested in working on the program. A partnership between the BBC and Disney+ for co-production and distribution concluded in 2025 following two seasons.
Debuting in 1963, ‘Doctor Who’ chronicles the journeys of a Time Lord from Gallifrey who explores time and space in the Tardis, a vessel that appears externally as a vintage British police call box from the mid-1900s.
The show’s endurance stems partly from its concept: the main character can transform into a new form when the previous one expires, allowing the series to continue beyond any single performer. Over a dozen actors have portrayed the character, with Ncuti Gatwa being the most recent.
Davies, who brought the series back in 2005 following a 16-year break and resumed leadership in 2022, revealed that the holiday episode remained unwritten and no performer had been contacted about taking on the Doctor’s role.
Davies, whose credits include ‘Queer as Folk,’ ‘It’s a Sin’ and the recent ‘Tip Toe,’ described the program’s prospects as ‘unpredictable’ in a social media message.
‘You’ll have to wait a bit longer for new Doctor Who … but you’ll be waiting for MORE Doctor Who than a one-off. So it’s worth it!’ Davies posted. ‘It’s all up for grabs, which is so Doctor Who — exciting and unpredictable and new! Here comes the future.’
