Doctor Who 2026 Christmas Special Confirmed as Disney+ Ends Partnership With BBC

The BBC has confirmed that Doctor Who will return for a 2026 Christmas special, even as Disney+ officially exits its partnership with the long-running sci-fi franchise. The news ends months of speculation about the show’s future following lead actor Ncuti Gatwa’s departure and the lack of a Season 3 renewal announcement.

According to a statement by BBC drama director Lindsay Salt, the network remains fully committed to the iconic series, with Russell T Davies set to write the upcoming Christmas special. The BBC emphasized that “the Doctor is not going anywhere,” promising more details on future seasons soon.

Disney+ Partnership Ends, BBC Reclaims Full Control

After two seasons of collaboration, Disney+ has ended its distribution deal for Doctor Who. The partnership, which began in 2023, brought the show to global audiences under a co-production agreement. However, the BBC confirmed that it will now move forward independently, returning the franchise solely under its own creative and broadcasting control.

“We’d like to thank Disney+ for being terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons,” Salt said in an official BBC statement. “The BBC remains fully committed to ‘Doctor Who,’ which continues to be one of our most loved dramas.”

The network also reaffirmed that production continues on The War Between the Land and the Sea, a new Doctor Who spinoff starring Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. The series will still debut on both Disney+ and BBC One later this year as part of their remaining collaboration.

Who Will Play the Next Doctor?

The biggest question for fans remains: who will step into the TARDIS next? Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor regenerated into Billie Piper in the Season 2 finale, shocking longtime viewers. Piper, who originally portrayed beloved companion Rose Tyler in the show’s 2005–2006 revival, expressed her excitement at returning to the “Whoniverse.”

“It’s no secret how much I love this show,” Piper said in a statement to the BBC. “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.”

As of now, the BBC has not confirmed whether Piper will officially take on the role of the next Doctor or appear in a limited capacity for the special.

BBC Expands the Whoniverse

Alongside the 2026 Christmas special, the BBC announced plans for an animated Doctor Who series currently in development for its children’s network, CBeebies. The expansion signals the network’s intention to preserve the show’s multigenerational appeal and broaden its storytelling formats.

The upcoming Christmas special will mark a new chapter for the franchise following its modern reboot in 2005, which has since featured multiple Doctors, global streaming success, and an ever-growing fan base. With Russell T Davies once again leading the creative direction, expectations are high for the next phase of Doctor Who.

Doctor Who’s 2026 Christmas special is expected to air exclusively on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. An official air date and casting details will be revealed later in 2026.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: When will the Doctor Who 2026 Christmas special release?

The BBC has confirmed the special for Christmas 2026. An exact air date will be announced closer to December.

Q2: Why did Disney+ end its Doctor Who partnership?

The two-year co-production deal concluded after Season 2. The BBC will now continue producing the series independently.

Q3: Who will play the next Doctor after Ncuti Gatwa?

Billie Piper appeared as the regenerated Doctor in the finale, but the BBC has not confirmed if she will take on the role permanently.

Q4: What other Doctor Who projects are in development?

The BBC is developing a spinoff titled The War Between the Land and the Sea and an animated series for CBeebies.

Q5: Who is writing the Doctor Who 2026 Christmas special?

Russell T Davies, the acclaimed writer and showrunner behind the 2005 revival, will pen the new holiday episode.