When the BBC announced that Disney was investing heavily in the Whoniverse, everyone was excited. It meant the show was going to get a significantly higher budget, and reach a larger audience thanks to premiering on Disney+. But fast forward to today, and the first season of Russell T. Davies' rebooted series didn't reach the heights we all expected. Even so, Davies doesn't expect Disney to drop out just yet: "these things take time."
Doctor Who season 1 didn't get the viewing figures Disney wanted, but it did perform exceedingly well in the target demographic. While the future of Doctor Who and Disney may be a tad precarious, the Whoniverse has been planned out through 2025. Season 2 will premiere on the BBC and Disney+ as expected. Also, we're getting a new spinoff series, The War Between the Land and the Sea, all about the Sea Devils. Beyond that, the future is somewhat in limbo right now.
However, in a bid to give fans some confidence, Russell T. Davies recently offered a bit of hope and implored viewers to be patient. "It’s an industry decision, it's like any business – these things take time," he told SFX Magazine.
As for when we can expect a decision on the show's future to be made, Davies said it's likely that Disney will reach a verdict after season 2 ends in 2025. "I think the decision will come after the transmission of season 2," he said. "That's what we're expecting, that's what we've always been heading towards."
Doctor Who season 14 — or 'season 1' of the new era — was a mixed bag. The new Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, was fantastic, bringing plenty of energy and nuance to the role. Plus, Millie Gibson played new companion Ruby Sunday wonderfully. The episodes ranged from the fantastic, like "73 Yards," to disappointing installments like "Space Babies" and "The Devil's Chord."
Doctor Who season 2 begins on Christmas Day 2024 with "Joy to the World," starring Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan. The season will continue later on in 2025. Until then, it seems the foreseeable future of the Whoniverse is not set in stone.
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