Doctor Who returns in 2026 as Disney+ exits streaming deal
After months of speculation, the BBC has announced that Doctor Who will return for another festive adventure in 2026.
The BBC has confirmed that Doctor Who will return to screens in December 2026 with a brand-new Christmas special written by showrunner Russell T Davies.
The announcement comes alongside the news that Disney+ will not continue its global partnership with the series after this year’s The War Between the Land and the Sea.
In a statement released today, the broadcaster reaffirmed its commitment to the long-running sci-fi drama, assuring fans that the Doctor’s adventures are not going anywhere.
The BBC also said plans for the next full series will be revealed in due course.
Director of BBC Drama Lindsay Salt said: “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.”
Nothing has been said about whether Billie Piper will reprise her role, following her surprise cliffhanger cameo at the end of The Reality War, leaving fans to speculate about a possible return in the upcoming special.
Additionally, a trusted source reports that Bad Wolf Studios’ production contract with Doctor Who is also set to expire next year, raising further questions about who will oversee the show’s next chapter.
Davies, who returned to helm the show in 2023, previously revived the show to massive acclaim in 2005 and has overseen its most recent run starring Ncuti Gatwa, which received mixed reception.
Ncuti Gatwa’s departure back in May is widely believed to have stemmed from Disney+’s hesitance to renew the series, as he had planned to remain for a third season.
According to original Doctor Who star Carole Ann Ford, the finale’s ending was altered from the version initially shot, suggesting behind-the-scenes changes during the show’s uncertain renewal period.
While Disney+’s exit marks the end of a streaming deal that helped expand the Time Lord’s global reach, the BBC emphasised that the show remains central to its drama lineup.
In the meantime, fans can look forward to The War Between the Land and the Sea on BBC One and iPlayer in the new year, as well as an animated series currently in development for CBeebies.
With its next festive special set for 2026, the TARDIS is once again preparing for takeoff, only this time back under the BBC’s full control.