Russell T Davies has hit back at reports that Doctor Who has been cancelled, insisting the BBC’s decision to put the show out to tender is “the opposite” of the long-running sci-fi series coming to an end.
Earlier this week, the BBC announced that Doctor Who would be put out to competitive tender “as part of securing the next phase of the show for future generations”, while also confirming that the previously announced 2026 Christmas special will no longer go ahead.
Davies also confirmed that he had stepped down as showrunner, with Bad Wolf, the production company that has produced the series since its 2023 return, also departing the show.
The announcements prompted renewed speculation about the future of Doctor Who, particularly after Ncuti Gatwa’s final episode saw the 15th Doctor regenerate into Billie Piper, leaving fans with a major cliffhanger.
However, speaking in an interview on Gaydio on Friday 12 June, Davies pushed back strongly on claims that the series had been cancelled.
“It’s extraordinary to see newspapers who should know better saying the show has been cancelled,” he said. “It’s the opposite. It’s been put out to tender, and I understand that’s an industry phrase and people might not understand what a show being put out to tender means.”
Explaining the process, Davies continued: “Being put out to tender means – and this will happen to every BBC show, it’s happened to Casualty, it’s happened to the weather – it means the programme is pitched to be made by an independent company, as opposed to the BBC.”
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Davies added that BBC Studios could still be involved in Doctor Who’s future, despite the show being put out to tender.
“Independent companies include BBC Studios, by the way – separate to BBC Public Service – so they’re in the running. I imagine. I don’t know, I’m not part of this process, because it’s a very legal process.”
The BBC’s statement this week said Doctor Who “remains an important part of the BBC” and that the tender “underpins the BBC’s continued commitment to Doctor Who ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come”.
Davies echoed that sentiment, suggesting that the nature of the tender process means Doctor Who is being set up for a longer-term future rather than a one-off return.
“The same thing is happening here with Doctor Who, and I think – I’m not in charge of this process – that means many years ahead,” he said. “No one’s going to apply for tender for one year. You’ve got to lock in just to make it financially worthwhile, so I think this guarantees years of the programme.
“But no, go ahead and call it cancelled. You’re wrong, you’re literally wrong.”
Davies was also asked by a Gaydio listener whether, if he had a TARDIS, he would go back and do anything differently about his second stint in charge of Doctor Who.
“Nothing. I loved what I did,” he said. “I mean, I’d grab that TARDIS and take flight to Mars, frankly – all the places to go, why go back to earlier in your job? Come on, to Mars and Neptune and the great beyond.”
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The comments come after Davies posted on social media following the BBC announcement, saying “GOODBYE” to Doctor Who but “HELLO to a big new future for the show”.
He also said fans would “have to wait a bit longer for new Doctor Who”, but added that they would be waiting for “MORE Doctor Who than a one-off”.
While the 2026 Christmas episode will no longer air, the BBC said the decision had been made in order to “push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show”, adding that the TARDIS would return “in all its glory”.
Former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat also responded to the news earlier this week, telling Radio Times: “No clue what’s going on, all news to me. No idea what’s coming either. But brave heart everyone. It’s a cliffhanger – the Doctor ALWAYS survives those.”
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