“It will keep going, one way or another.”
Doctor Who fans have received a promising update amid concerns about the show’s future.
The long-running sci-fi series is currently produced by Bad Wolf and BBC Studios, with Disney+ serving as its international home.
However, the 26-episode contract with Disney has almost reached its end after two full seasons with eight episodes apiece, two Christmas specials and three anniversary specials.
The final five episodes of the deal will be fulfilled in 2026 by the new Whoniverse spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea.
“Then, and only then, does Disney+ have to make a decision about whether or not they want to do more,” Bad Wolf’s Jane Tranter told Royal Television Society.
“I imagine, at a time when Disney are having huge cuts themselves, and there have been slashes in programme budgets, they’re looking to take their time to balance everything out and decide what they want to do,” Tranter explained.
Though Doctor Who‘s future on Disney+ is still up in the air, Tranter has assured fans that the show will continue on the BBC either way.
She said it’s not a question of “if” the series will return on the BBC, but rather “when” and “how”, adding: “At its heart, it’s a BBC show and it will keep going, one way or another.”
“Rest assured, Doctor Who is going nowhere,” she said (via Deadline). “Disney has been a great partnership – and it continues with The War Between The Land And The Sea next year – but going forward, with or without Disney, Doctor Who will still be on the BBC… The TARDIS is going nowhere.”
