A month and a half after the season 15 finale, the BBC has updated fans onDoctor Who’s future and its Disney partnership.Doctor Who’s fate has been a major question mark since before Ncuti Gatwa’s second season ended. After Gatwa’s shocking regeneration, fans have been more eager for answers. Unfortunately, rumors have circulated online that Disney will not continue co-producing the show, andDoctor Whowill be canceled.
After an abundance of confusion about thestatus ofDoctor Whoseason 16, we finally have a small update.The BBC’s CEO, Tom Fussell, has addressedDoctor Who’s futurewhen speaking toDeadline, offering hope that the show will continue with season 16. He said this:
“[The BBC remains] really committed toDoctor Whoand is continuing to look at ways in which we can bring the show to fans. Fans love theDoctor Whobrand. It’s been that way since before I was in short trousers.”
WhetherDoctor Whoseason 16 will happen is only one part of the question. The other part is whether Disney will continue their co-production deal. He didn’t provide any concrete answers aboutDoctor Whospecifically, but the CEO did provide insight into the BBC’s overall partnership with Disney.
Fussell called Disney a “key partner” when it comes to hit shows likeBlueyandDancing With the Stars,and he also said this:
“They are a crucial partner and we share a lot of the same values, so I’m really proud of the way that relationship has worked.”
Neither statement is definitive confirmation thatDoctor Whowill continue with Disney, but the statement clarifies the BBC’s current mindset on the matter and offers hope.
What Tom Fussell’s Comments About Doctor Who & Disney Mean
The BBC Still Loves Doctor Who
The status ofDoctor Whoseason 16 still remains a mystery, even after Tom Fussell’s comments. However, that doesn’t mean his comments are entirely worthless for fans. His statement about the BBC’s dedication toDoctor Whosuggests that they will look for any available path to keep the show going, even if Disney backs out of the co-production deal for some reason.
Additionally, Fussell’s statement about Disney has a meaningful takeaway when it comes to the larger partnership between Disney and the BBC. Even if Disney backs out of theDoctor Whopartnership, fans can look forward to other exciting projects created by the two companies. Most notably, they’re working to put out thefirst-ever feature-length Bluey movie.
Our Take On Doctor Who’s Future After Tom Fussell’s Statements
Doctor Who Might Continue Even Without Disney
Although they were discussed within the same interview, Tom Fussell’s statements about Disney did little to increase my confidence that The Mouse and the BBC would continue co-producingDoctor Who. He seemed to sidestep the issue, bringing more attention to their other projects together. However,Fussell’s statement aboutDoctor Whodoes offer a lot of hope that the original network will find a wayto keep seasons going, regardless of Disney’s involvement. They seem dedicated to the franchise.
Ultimately,I’d almost rather Disney back out andDoctor Whomove onto a different partner. Even though Disney’s money might have helped increase the production value ofDoctor Whoseasons 14 and 15, the production company doesn’t have a great history of making good sci-fi shows (excluding superhero shows and Star Wars). There are other streaming sites with a proven sci-fi track record that I think would be a more suitable partner forDoctor Who.
