‘Doctor Who’: Disney+ Exits Partnership With the BBC as 2026 Christmas Special Confirmed

The beloved British sci-fi institution, Doctor Who, is set to embark on a new chapter as Disney+ officially concludes its two-season partnership with the BBC. This development, confirmed amidst speculation following lead Ncuti Gatwa's departure, also brings exciting news for fans: a new Christmas Special is confirmed for 2026, penned by returning showrunner Russell T Davies. The future of the Time Lord remains firmly rooted with the BBC, with further announcements regarding upcoming series expected in due course.

The Evolution of a Partnership: Disney+ and Doctor Who
Disney+ joined forces with the BBC for Doctor Who in November 2023, becoming the exclusive international streaming home for new episodes, including the 60th Anniversary specials and Ncuti Gatwa's tenure as the Fifteenth Doctor. This collaboration was established for two seasons, spanning Ncuti Gatwa's run from 2023 to 2025. The partnership facilitated a wider global reach for the iconic series, introducing it to new audiences while maintaining its dedicated fanbase.

Disney+'s Exit and the BBC's Renewed Commitment
Following months of discussion and Ncuti Gatwa's final regular appearance as the Fifteenth Doctor in the Season Two finale, "The Reality War," Disney+ confirmed it would not be continuing its partnership for the next series. The two seasons and specials that aired on Disney+ will remain available on the platform for now.
In a statement, Lindsay Salt, Director of Drama at the BBC, expressed gratitude towards Disney+ for their collaboration over the past two seasons and for the upcoming spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea. Salt emphatically reaffirmed the BBC's deep commitment to Doctor Who, stating, "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." She assured fans that "the Doctor is not going anywhere" and that plans for the next series will be announced to ensure the TARDIS remains "at the heart of the BBC."

The 2026 Christmas Special and the Future of the Doctor
The confirmation of a 2026 Christmas Special, written by showrunner Russell T Davies, provides a focal point for fans looking ahead. This special is anticipated to bridge the 19-month gap between Ncuti Gatwa's final episode in May 2025 and the next major broadcast.
A key mystery that the 2026 special is expected to address is the surprise regeneration of Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor in "The Reality War" into a character portrayed by Billie Piper. Piper previously played the beloved companion Rose Tyler in the rebooted series. While the end credits of "The Reality War" only stated "introducing Billie Piper," without explicitly confirming her as the next Doctor, this unexpected twist has led to considerable fan speculation. Billie Piper herself has commented on her return, stating, "It's no secret how much I love this show... to be given the opportunity to step back on that TARDIS one more time was just something I couldn't refuse." The BBC has remained tight-lipped on whether Piper will officially take on the mantle of the Doctor, suggesting the upcoming special will hold answers.
Ncuti Gatwa's departure after two seasons marks a relatively short tenure in the main role since the show's 2005 revival, although he stated in July 2025 that he chose to quit due to the mental and physical toll of the role.

Expanding the Whoniverse: Spin-offs and New Formats
Beyond the main series, the Doctor Who universe continues to expand. The spin-off series, The War Between the Land and the Sea, which features UNIT and stars Russell Tovey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jemma Redgrave, and Alexander Devrient, is set to premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later in 2025, and is expected to stream on Disney+ internationally in 2026. This five-episode series focuses on UNIT's efforts to prevent a global war triggered by the emergence of the Sea Devils. Russell T Davies has described the series as "absolutely brilliant" and a project he is immensely proud of.
Additionally, a new animated Doctor Who series is in development for CBeebies, the BBC's children's channel, further diversifying the franchise's offerings.

Conclusion
The departure of Disney+ as a global streaming partner signifies a shift for Doctor Who, yet the BBC's unwavering commitment ensures the show's continued future. With a confirmed 2026 Christmas Special written by Russell T Davies, the resolution of Ncuti Gatwa's regeneration into Billie Piper, and the ongoing development of spin-offs like The War Between the Land and the Sea and new animated content, the Whoniverse remains vibrant and poised for its next evolution, firmly under the stewardship of its originating broadcaster.