Russell T Davies urges fans to cease inquiring about the demise of 'Doctor Who'
In a recent interview with The Big Issue magazine, Russell T Davies, the acclaimed showrunner of Doctor Who from 2005-2010 and again since 2023, was asked about the future of the beloved sci-fi series. However, the interview did not provide any new information about the show's future.
Despite his involvement, Davies made it clear that his heart lies elsewhere. He works for Bad Wolf, a production company he co-founded, and is known for creating shows such as Queer as Folk. He also clarified that he does not work for the BBC or Disney, the current holders of Doctor Who's rights.
The interview did not mention any involvement of Davies with Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, or DC Universe. It did, however, shed light on the current status of Doctor Who. The Doctor's regeneration in May 2023, which saw Ncuti Gatwa take on the role, marked a new era for the show. Yet, as of mid-2025, Doctor Who has not yet been officially renewed beyond Season 2.
The BBC and Disney+ collaboration aims to expand Doctor Who's global reach, offering the series free to UK viewers on BBC and streaming internationally on Disney+. This partnership represents a significant effort to modernize the show and revive its popularity, particularly in the competitive streaming market. Additionally, a spinoff titled The War Between the Land and the Sea is expected to be released by the end of 2025, after which the Disney+ contract will conclude, potentially paving the way for clearer announcements about the main show's future.
There is some uncertainty and speculation about Doctor Who's continuation, with reports indicating the show faces challenges such as crowded entertainment options and irregular seasonal release patterns. Notably, prolific writer Mark Gatiss has publicly suggested the possibility that the series may benefit from a break or rest, reflecting ongoing discussions around its status.
When can fans expect updates on Doctor Who's future? The most anticipated updates will likely come after the airing of the spinoff series The War Between the Land and the Sea later in 2025, as this will mark the end of the current Disney+ contract and might prompt official news on renewal or changes.
In a humorous twist, Davies requested that fans stop asking him about Doctor Who's future, responding with a simple "Behave!" to inquiries on the subject. Despite his request, fans continue to eagerly await news about the show's future, hoping for more adventures with the Doctor in the years to come.
[1] BBC Press Office. (2023). Doctor Who partners with Disney+ for international distribution. [Press release] [2] Deadline. (2025). Doctor Who: The Future Remains Uncertain Amidst Disney+ Partnership and Spinoff Announcements. [3] BBC America. (2023). Ncuti Gatwa announced as the 15th Doctor in Doctor Who. [4] The Guardian. (2025). Doctor Who: The challenges facing the sci-fi series in the streaming era. [5] BBC Radio 2. (2025). Mark Gatiss discusses the possibility of a Doctor Who break or rest.
While Russell T Davies, the former showrunner of Doctor Who, has been busy working with his production company Bad Wolf, there's been no confirmation about his involvement with other anticipated franchises such as Gizmodo, movies-and-tv from io9, or Star Trek, Star Wars, Marvel, or DC Universe. Reports have suggested that Doctor Who may face challenges due to crowded entertainment options and irregular seasonal release patterns, with calls for a potential rest or break in the series from Mark Gatiss. The future of Doctor Who remains unclear as it awaits the release of the spinoff series The War Between the Land and the Sea, which is set to conclude the current Disney+ contract and possibly bring official updates on the show's renewal or changes.
