Back when the BBC struck a deal with Disney to bring Doctor Who to Disney+, allowing the show to be made with American money, it was very exciting. The future of the Whoniverse looked brighter than ever, but ultimately, the fresh lease on life was short-lived. The show couldn't drive enough viewership to appease the immense expectations of Disney, and now the House of Mouse deal is in limbo.
Ncuti Gatwa's run as the Fifteenth Doctor was largely hit and miss. By the end of his second season, he regenerated into our new Sixteenth Doctor, played by none other than Billie Piper, who previously played the Doctor's companion Rose Tyler. The cliffhanger was pretty enormous, and fans are desperate to see how and why the Doctor took on Rose's face. As for when that happen, or indeed whether it'll occur with the support of Disney, remains to be seen.
According to long-time Doctor Who insider Tom Spilsbury, fans should "adjust their expectations" regarding the show's future. "I suspect the show will indeed come back at some point, but as of right now, nothing is commissioned and nothing is guaranteed," Spilsbury wrote on fan forum Gallifrey Base. "Those are the facts. Time will tell, of course, but I don't get the sense of much optimism for anything very soon from anyone I've spoken to."
"Everything is moving much more slowly in television at the moment," Spilsbury added. "On the assumption that Disney doesn’t renew before its option officially expires, that will be the point when the BBC can start to shop the show around. And that process could take a fair bit of time - it may require more than one partner just to raise the money needed."
Showrunner Russell T Davies has been notably tight-lipped about the situation. When recently asked about Billie Piper returning as the Doctor, he admitted that he has "no idea" if she really is the titular Time Lord. Nothing is guaranteed at this point.
Doctor Who has been on our screens for over 60 years at this point. The idea of it ending on this note feels somewhat unrealistic. It may go on another hiatus, like the dark patch before Russell T Davies brought the show back in 2005. That said, it's fair to say that Doctor Who will always have a home at the BBC, if all else fails.
Ncuti Gatwa explains why he left Doctor Who
Gatwa played the Doctor for only two seasons, making his the shortest tenure since Christopher Eccleston vacated the part in 2005. Per Radio Times, Laura Kuenssberg asked Gatwa why he "walked away" when he visited her show Sunday.
"Because I’m getting old and my body was tired," quipped the 32-year-old Gatwa. "I’ve now just started doing some ballet, so I’m making some good decisions here."
"It’s the most amazing job in the world. It’s a job that any actor would dream of. And because it’s so good, it’s strenuous, it takes a lot out of you physically, emotionally, mentally. So, I – it was time."
Over the years, it's been pretty common for prior Doctor Who stars to come back for specials and the like. Might Gatwa ever do that? "Never say never," he said.
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