The BBC has confirmed the future of its beloved sci-fi series Doctor Who and revealed when the show will return to screens.
The previous finale in May ended with Ncuti Gatwa's 15th Doctor regenerating into former Doctor Who companion Billie Piper.
The Rwandan-Scottish actor played the Time Lord for two series after first appearing in a 60th anniversary special with the 10th and 14th incarnations of the Doctor, David Tennant.
Now, after speculation about the show's future and its partnership with Disney+ ending, the BBC has issued a fresh statement.
BBC confirms future of Doctor Who with new Christmas special
The BBC has confirmed that Doctor Who will return to screens at Christmas 2026 with a special episode written by Russell T Davies.
It comes after Disney+ confirmed it will not be partnering on the next season of the sci-fi show.
Despite this, the BBC says it remains "fully committed to the show" and said that plans for the next series will be announced in due course to "ensure the Doctor’s adventures continue".
Lindsay Salt, Director of Drama, BBC says: "We’d like to thank Disney+ for being terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons, and for the upcoming The War Between the Land and the Sea.
"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.
BBC confirms future of Doctor Who and a new Christmas Special in 2026!
Read more on the #DoctorWho website ➡️ https://t.co/DNFvHriPY1 pic.twitter.com/Oyn04HrAEC— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) October 28, 2025
"We can assure fans, the Doctor is not going anywhere, and we will be announcing plans for the next series in due course, which will ensure the TARDIS remains at the heart of the BBC."
Is Billie Piper the new Doctor Who?
The last episode may have ended with Ncuti Gatwa regenerating into Billie Piper, but some fans were not convinced the Swindon actress is the 16th Doctor.
Piper is most notably known for playing Rose Tyler when the show rebooted in 2005, companion to both the Ninth and Tenth Doctors, played by Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant, respectively.
If confirmed to be the role of the titular Time Lord, Piper would be the second woman to take on the role after Jodie Whittaker portrayed the 13th Doctor.
Teasing the reason for Piper's return to the popular BBC show, Doctor Who TV said at the time: "But just how and why she is back remains to be seen…"
On her return, Billie said: "It’s no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that TARDIS one more time was just something I couldn’t refuse, but who, how, why and when, you’ll just have to wait and see."
After the show's last finale broadcast, Piper also posted on Instagram: “A rose is a rose is a rose !!!” with images from her previous time on the show playing the Doctor’s companion Rose Tyler.
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Showrunner Russell T Davies added: “Billie once changed the whole of television, back in 2005, and now she’s done it again!
"It’s an honour and a hoot to welcome her back to the TARDIS, but quite how and why and who is a story yet to be told.
"After 62 years, the Doctor’s adventures are only just beginning!”
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