Disney+ ends partnership with BBC as Doctor Who sets 2026 Christmas return

Disney+ ends its Doctor Who deal with the BBC, but the series will return in Christmas 2026 with a new special

After two seasons of collaboration, Disney+ has officially ended its partnership with the BBC on Doctor Who.

Despite the streaming exit, the iconic sci-fi series will return in Christmas 2026 with a new special episode penned by Russell T Davies, the show’s long-time writer and showrunner.

 

 

 

 

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The Disney+ deal, which aimed to give Doctor Who a big-budget revival and global reach, struggled to meet expectations. While the partnership helped the series achieve cinematic production quality, the latest revival seasons faced mixed reviews and controversies surrounding the show’s direction under Davies.

The BBC confirmed that Doctor Who will continue independently, with future plans for the series to be announced soon. The 2026 Christmas special, produced by Bad Wolf and BBC Studios, is expected to serve as either a bridge or farewell episode for Davies.

The show’s recent storyline concluded with Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor regenerating into a female version with Billie Piper’s face, sparking intense fan reactions. Despite lower streaming numbers, the BBC remains confident in the show’s longevity, reaffirming that Doctor Who “is not going anywhere.”

Lindsay Salt, BBC Director of Drama, thanked Disney+ for its collaboration and emphasized the network’s continued dedication to the franchise, calling it “one of our most loved dramas.”

In addition to the Christmas special, the BBC announced that The War Between the Land and the Sea will premiere later this year on BBC One and iPlayer, alongside a new animated Doctor Who series for CBeebies.

While its future partnership plans remain uncertain, the Doctor and the TARDIS are officially staying home at the BBC.