Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has confirmed he has left the flagship BBC sci-fi series – with the show being put out to tender.
The BBC announced today that it has officially cancelled plans for the Christmas Special set to air this year, with Davies confirming his exit from the show in a statement on social media.
In the post, he wrote: “And so GOODBYE from me to Doctor Who but HELLO to a big new future for the show, as the BBC announces it’s putting the show out to tender.
“As a result, there won’t be a Christmas Special – we only cooked that up to guarantee a future when no one knew what would happen, but now we do know, there’s no need for it.”
“You’ll have to wait a bit longer for new Doctor Who… but you’ll be waiting for MORE Doctor Who than a one-off. So it’s worth it!”
“For the record: there was no script, I never wrote it, and no actor was ever approached to play the next Doctor,” he added.
“You may disagree; fine, sit in that chair and wait to be proved right. You’ll wait a lonnng time.”
“Now I’m as excited as anyone to see what comes next! Will they keep the theme tune? Will they lose the blue box? Will they bring back the Drahvin?!
“It’s all up for grabs, which is so Doctor Who, exciting and unpredictable and new! Here comes the future, vworp vworp.”
Davies, who was previously showrunner on the series from 2005 to 2010, returned to steer the series in 2023, with Ncuti Gatwa then taking over as the fifteenth iteration of the space and time-travelling Doctor.
Gatwa ended his run on a cliffhanger note after two seasons, with The Doctor regenerating into the image of former companion, Rose Tyler (played by Billie Piper).
Prior to this news, the BBC, Davies, and Bad Wolf Productions had all shared their excitement for the special, with Davies declaring that BBC bosses were left “with jaws agape, loving it”, when he shared plot details – although now Davies has stated that it was never actually written.
His statement came shortly after the BBC released their own statement, saying the decision not to go ahead with the Christmas Episode was “not taken lightly”.
“As part of securing the next phase of the show for future generations, and in line with the BBC’s Charter and Agreement requirements, the BBC will put Doctor Who out to competitive tender this year,” they said in a statement.
“Doctor Who remains an important part of the BBC and this tender underpins the BBC’s continued commitment to Doctor Who, ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come.”
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“After careful consideration, the BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Doctor Who Christmas episode,” the statement continued.
“This decision was not taken lightly, and we know it will be disappointing for fans, but in order to set the show up for future series, it was decided that rather than bridge the gap with a one off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show which ensures that when the TARDIS lands once more, it does so in all its glory.”
Bad Wolf Productions has also shared its own statement, with a spokesperson sharing: “It has been a joy and a privilege to to have been at the helm of the TARDIS alongside the brilliant Russel T Davies.
“Doctor Who is – and always will be – a show that shines light into the darkness and it has been an absolute honour to have been its torch bearer for 26 episodes with the BBC and Disney+.
“Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey through Space and Time and most of all – thank you to the fans. Allons-y, Allonso!”
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