Doctor Who Leaves Disney+, Fans Anticipate Major Revival

Fans of the iconic sci-fi series Doctor Who are expressing enthusiasm following its departure from Disney+, anticipating a significant revival as the show prepares to return to its roots on the BBC. The series had been operating under a partnership arrangement with Disney+ for its last two seasons, featuring Ncuti Gatwa in the lead role. On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Disney+ will no longer participate in the show’s production, a decision that many fans view positively.

In a statement, Lindsay Salt, Director of Drama at the BBC, praised Disney+ as “terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons.” She also announced that a Christmas special is currently in development, expressing the BBC’s ongoing commitment to Doctor Who, which remains one of its most cherished dramas. “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,” Salt added.

Following the announcement, fans took to social media to share their opinions. Many applauded the decision to move away from Disney+, with one user stating, “Maybe without Disney’s sanitized grip, Doctor Who can return to its roots, weird, dark, brilliant storytelling that doesn’t need a corporate logo to feel epic.” Another supporter declared, “Time for Doctor Who to feel British again, not branded,” while a third humorously noted, “This app is literally screaming at us all month to end our memberships.” A simple yet impactful message from another fan read, “Good tbh. The Disney era was kinda meh!”

At the conclusion of the previous series, viewers were taken aback by the dramatic regeneration of Ncuti Gatwa‘s Doctor into the form of Billie Piper, who originally portrayed Rose Tyler. Although her return has not been officially confirmed, speculation among fans suggests that Gatwa may reprise his role. Comments ranged from light-hearted predictions like, “Ncuti walking out of the Tardis on Christmas 2026 and pretending like nothing happened,” to suggestions of a “fuse” between characters leading to another regeneration.

This upcoming Christmas marks a notable shift, as it will be the first in two decades without a Doctor Who special. The BBC stated that the announcement for the 2026 Christmas episode came after Disney+ declined to continue the partnership, a move anticipated by many due to disappointing global viewing figures. The BBC reassured fans of its commitment to the series, promising announcements about future plans to ensure the Doctor’s adventures continue.

Additionally, The War Between The Land and the Sea, a spin-off series, is set to air at the end of this year, and an animated series is currently under production for CBeebies. As the franchise evolves, fans eagerly await the next chapter in the enduring legacy of Doctor Who.