Doctor Who Disney+ partnership ends after 2 seasons, BBC to continue series

Doctor Who and Disney+ are parting ways. The streaming giant exits after just two seasons of co-production partnership with the BBC. But here’s the good news: the beloved sci-fi series isn’t going anywhere. The BBC confirmed on October 28, 2025, that Doctor Who will return with a spectacular Christmas 2026 special penned by showrunner Russell T Davies.

What Happened: Disney+ Officially Pulls the Plug

Disney+ has officially ended its partnership with the BBC on Doctor Who. The news came after months of speculation about the deal’s future. Rumors swirled since mid-2024 that the streaming service wasn’t satisfied with performance metrics.

The initial deal covered two seasons plus the highly anticipated spin-off. Once The War Between the Land and the Sea airs in 2026, Disney’s involvement will be complete. BBC drama director Lindsay Salt released a statement thanking Disney for their partnership.

“The BBC remains fully committed to Doctor Who, which continues to be one of our most loved dramas. We are delighted that Russell T Davies has agreed to write us another spectacular Christmas special for 2026.”

The partnership, which originally seemed promising, faced challenges almost immediately. Disney invested heavily: approximately £10 million per episode. However, viewership numbers disappointed executives on both sides of the Atlantic.

Why This Matters: The Show Goes On

For longtime fans, this news feels bittersweet. On one hand, Disney’s exit raises questions about the show’s future budget and scale. On the other, the BBC proved it could keep Doctor Who alive without American investment.

This reset is significant. Before Disney+ came aboard in 2023, the BBC had successfully aired Doctor Who for two decades independently. The show will simply return to its roots: a British production made by the British broadcaster.

For you as a viewer, changes are coming. Budget considerations might shift storytelling scope. However, Russell T Davies remains the creative force steering the ship. That continuity matters when navigating massive changes in production dynamics and financial backing across the franchise.

The Timeline: What’s Next for Doctor Who

The partnership ends with a final spin-off release and the 2026 Christmas special. Here’s the breakdown of confirmed milestones:

Milestone	Release Date	Details
The War Between the Land and the Sea	2026	Disney+ spin-off concludes partnership
Christmas Special	December 2026	Written by Russell T Davies exclusively
Series Plans	“Due Course”	BBC to announce future seasons separately
Pre-School Animation	Coming to CBeebies	Expanded universe content for younger viewers

There’s over a year-long gap before Doctor Who returns to screens. This gives the BBC breathing room to plan independently from Disney. Russell T Davies previously commented the show “will never end,” but added uncertainty about immediate future direction.

What To Watch For: The Big Questions

• How will BBC budget compare to Disney’s £10 million per episode investment?
• Will Russell T Davies return for full series, or only write specials?
• What casting changes might happen as production shifts back to BBC Studios?
• Can Doctor Who regain audience engagement without massive blockbuster spending?
• Will Disney+ keep existing two seasons available to subscribers?

Answers won’t arrive quickly. The BBC plans to “announce plans for the next series in due course.” That vague timeline reflects ongoing internal discussions about format, funding, and creative direction moving forward.

Is This Really the End of the Disney Era for Doctor Who?

Disney+ will continue streaming the two seasons already produced. Those won’t disappear from the platform overnight. But new episodes? Those are exclusively a BBC operation now.

This breakup reflects broader reality in streaming: international co-productions don’t always yield expected returns. Doctor Who had big-name guest stars, splashy production values, and 13.3 million dollars per episode. Yet ratings performance didn’t satisfy Disney’s global expectations for the platform.

The BBC‘s statement emphasizes confidence: “The Doctor is not going anywhere.” That commitment matters. Doctor Who survived 26 years without any American backing before 2023. It can again. Will you keep watching when Doctor Who returns to its independent roots in 2026?

Sources

• Deadline – Official Disney+ and BBC partnership announcement and analysis
• BBC Media Centre – BBC drama department official statement on future plans
• The Hollywood Reporter – Entertainment industry coverage of streaming partnerships

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