Doctor Who’s planned return this Christmas reportedly may be delayed until Easter.
The BBC’s flagship sci-fi show was last on our screens in May 2025, when Ncuti Gatwa bowed out as the 15th incarnation of the titular space traveller after two seasons.
In the final moments, he was seen regenerating into Billie Piper, who previously played beloved companion Rose Tyler, leaving a major cliffhanger over what’s to come.
There have been long-held plans for the show to return at Christmas 2026, with showrunner Russell T Davies previously stating that BBC bosses were left “with jaws agape, loving it”, when he shared plot details for the special.
However, The Sun now claims that the festive special may be pushed back while producers continue to search for the next person to take over the role of the Doctor, and the special may instead air over Easter 2027.
The BBC declined to comment when approached by Radio Times.
While Piper was seen on screen after the regeneration at the end of season 15 finale The Reality War, she wasn’t credited as the Doctor in the end credits, sparking speculation about whether she will actually be playing the Sixteenth Doctor or if someone else will take up the mantle beyond the upcoming special.
During Gatwa’s tenure as the 14th Doctor, the BBC partnered with Disney for the first time, giving the team an expanded budget and an international home.
The partnership resulted in 26 episodes of Doctor Who – namely, the 2023 specials starring a returning David Tenannt and two seasons of Gatwa’s tenure in the TARDIS, as well as the spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea.
However, it was announced in October last year that Disney will not partner on any future seasons.
Kate Phillips, chief content officer at the BBC, confirmed the broadcaster’s commitment to the series ahead of the announcement of the end of the BBC/Disney partnership, assuring fans the BBC remained dedicated to the show.
“Any Whovians out there, rest assured – Doctor Who is going nowhere,” she said in August last year.
“Disney has been a great partnership… but, going forward, with or without Disney, Doctor Who will still be on the BBC.”
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In February this year, Zai Bennett, CEO and chief creative officer of BBC Studios Global Content, confirmed plans for the Christmas special were still in motion, and asserted the BBC was “all in it together” when it comes to the future of the show.
“We’re a big important part of Doctor Who and are all motivated to make sure Doctor Who has a long and flourishing life,” he told Deadline at the time.
“We’ve got the Christmas special coming. After that, it’s time for us all to work on it.”
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