The world’s longest-running sci-fi drama will remain at the BBC following the streamer’s exit

Disney+ had previously collaborated on the last two series of Doctor Who alongside Bad Wolf, as well as the upcoming spin-off series The War Between the Land and the Sea, set to air later this year. However, the streaming platform has now confirmed it will no longer continue with the partnership.

Despite Disney+ stepping back, the BBC has moved swiftly to secure the future of the Tardis, with a new Christmas special written by returning showrunner Russell T Davies and scheduled to tx in December 2026.

Lindsay Salt, director of drama, BBC, commented: “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.

“We can assure fans, the Doctor is not going anywhere, and we will be announcing plans for the next series in due course which will ensure the TARDIS remains at the heart of the BBC.”

In addition to the new special, a Doctor Who animated series for CBeebies is in development, further cementing the show’s enduring presence at the corporation.

With Doctor Who remaining firmly in the BBC stable, further details of series 16 – the next chapter in the Doctor’s adventures – will be unveiled in due course, also confirmed in the announcement.

You can watch the official trailer for The War Between the Land and the Sea (trailer via BBC) below: