Doctor Who returns 2026 confirmed

Indeed, Kel surprise, for lack of a French word. Now, who had the first chance of asking that Disney would break off the Doctor Who partnership in the sweepstakes? Because I think it was most of us.

Yes, after the disaster of Russell T Davies’ return and two series going down like the Challenger Shuttle in that teacher’s school, with an ending up there with Game of Thrones season 8 writing, the next announcement for Doctor Who was always going to come as a surprise. Announced yesterday, the short-term future of Doctor Who has been confirmed with a new Christmas special for next year, Russell’s version of The Shape of Water with the Russell he fancies, and something new that might be interesting. Simply announced online via social media as confirmation of the special with a vague image, that’s all we really got in broad terms.

BBC confirms future of Doctor Who and a new Christmas Special in 2026!

Read more on the #DoctorWho website ➡️ https://t.co/DNFvHriPY1 pic.twitter.com/Oyn04HrAEC

— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) October 28, 2025

In the press release published by the BBC, it highlights the special and “With Disney+ confirming [it] will not be partnering on the next season of the sci-fi show, the BBC remain[s] fully committed to the show and will announce plans for the next series in due course to ensure the Doctor’s adventures continue.“

BBC Director of 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.“

Can we go back to calling it a series now that Americans have been sacked off? Salt concludes, “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.“

The press release also affirms that The War Between the Land and the Sea comes later this year (time is running out), with Russell T Davies getting to kiss his TV anytime Russell Tovey is on screen. Honestly? Can’t blame him! However, there is something a bit more interesting noted at the end of the press release, a new Doctor Who-based animated series for CBeebies, which was announced months ago, to the sound of no one talking about it.

For the Americans (i.e, my editor), CBeebies is like Nick Jr and Disney Jr, aimed at really young kids between six months and toddler age. Shows like The Tweenies, Fingermouse, Bob the Builder, Rosie and Jim (I know that’s ITV), and The Hoobs (I also know that’s Channel 4), the sort of show that’s early learning and fun – “Shout out to the real ones” Auntie Mabel played by Lynda Baron and Pippin for Come Outside. No word on the title or really when the show is expected to come to CBeebies, but I like the idea.

The question now becomes how the show continues following the “surprise” regeneration that was more rushed than Russell’s typical red button of resolution. Seeing Billie Piper return to the show. However, this time, not as Rose Tyler, Bad Wolf, or the blonde that nerdy straight men fell in love with, and the gays already loved. After souring people with some Chris Chibnall-type stuff, it will be interesting to see how the Beeb and the T move forward – and yes, I’ll never say it like that again.