Doctor Who Reportedly on Hiatus Until 2027, Two More Seasons “Planned”, but Still No BBC Confirmation
Doctor Who will face a hiatus from TV screens, but the situation may not be as dire as some fans have feared, if a recent report from The Mirror is to be believed.
Despite ongoing concerns about falling ratings, uncertain cast futures and the potential end of the Disney+ co-production deal, the show is reportedly not being cancelled. Instead, it is said to be taking a “pause” until its return in 2027, with two additional series planned by showrunner Russell T Davies.
The article, citing unnamed production sources, claims that scripts for Series 16 are nearly complete and that Series 17 has already been mapped out. One insider is quoted as saying:
“Whether or not Disney stays, the expectation is that the show will continue. Yes, there will be a gap while the scripts are finalised, the episodes are filmed and the editing process takes place. But we’ll be back. The wait won’t be forever, just a big pause.”
While this may sound reassuring, it’s worth emphasising that the BBC has still not confirmed any future series, despite some outlets running with the headline as if this was an official announcement.
Quotes attributed to Russell T Davies in the article, referencing multiple writers and a script on its sixth draft, are sourced from an older issue of Doctor Who Magazine, not a new interview.
The article also touches on the question of Disney’s role going forward. Since 2023, Doctor Who has been co-produced with Disney+, bringing a reported budget increase of up to £10 million per episode. Much of that, according to the report, goes towards upgrading the show’s visuals to meet 4K streaming standards. A return to BBC-only production could scale back to 2K, potentially cutting costs without halting production entirely.
Another unnamed source added:
“Doctor Who is an expensive show to make, with its effects budget taking up a significant part of the overall spend, so if Disney were to withdraw its funding, then there wouldn’t be as significant an impact on production as some fans may think. The TARDIS set is still standing in Cardiff, all ready to go on new adventures.”
The future of Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor also remains uncertain. The article claims he may have already filmed his regeneration and might not return for Series 16, but this remains unverified despite some strong indications.
Adding to the ambiguity is the absence of a Christmas special in 2025, which would mark the first time the show has skipped the festive period since its 2005 revival. Instead, fans will reportedly be treated to a new spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea.
While The Mirror’s report presents an optimistic picture, it contains little that’s genuinely new. The only fresh detail of note is the suggestion that savings from dropping 4K requirements could allow production to continue without Disney.
Beyond that, the situation remains largely unchanged: no confirmation from the BBC, Disney’s future involvement is still uncertain, a gap looms either way, and Gatwa’s return is still in question…
