Doctor Who, the beloved British sci-fi series that has captivated audiences for decades, may be heading toward another hiatus as reports suggest current star Ncuti Gatwa is preparing to depart the show after just two seasons.
A short-lived era
Gatwa, 32, made history in 2022 as the first Black actor to take on the iconic role of the Doctor, becoming the 15th incarnation of the time-traveling alien. His casting was widely celebrated as a landmark moment for representation in the series, which began in 1963.
However, industry insiders now report that Gatwa has already filmed his “regeneration” scene—the series’ traditional method for transitioning between actors playing the Doctor—signalling his departure after his second season airs later this year.
Ratings concerns and distribution challenges
The potential exit comes amid concerning viewership figures. Gatwa’s debut season attracted 2.6 million viewers on BBC1, significantly lower than the 3.7 million who tuned in for Jodie Whittaker’s final appearance as the first female Doctor.
Additionally, the series appears to be struggling to find its audience in the United States. Despite a lucrative partnership with Disney estimated to be worth $100 million for 26 episodes, the show has yet to appear on Nielsen’s U.S. viewership charts, suggesting limited impact with American audiences.
Perhaps the most telling thing is the absence of a renewal agreement between the BBC and Disney for a third season. Production insiders note that for a series of Doctor Who’s scale and importance, pre-production work would typically be well underway by now if another season was planned.
“If the BBC cannot confirm a continuation of the Disney deal then it is a worrying sign,” one industry source told The Times. “Perhaps Disney is waiting to see if the second season performs well, but it’s hardly a sign of faith in the show. That delay will mean it is impossible to make a third series within the next year or even two if it gets the go-ahead.”
Content direction debates
The current iteration of Doctor Who, helmed once again by Russell T Davies (who successfully revived the series in 2005), has faced criticism from some quarters for its storytelling choices. Some viewers have questioned the show’s inclusion of a gay kiss, a transgender character, and a drag queen, characterising these elements as “woke” storylines.
Davies has defended the show’s direction, explaining: “In coming back, I wanted to make it simpler and I wanted to make it younger. Those two things are often not discussed… It’s not doing that well in the ratings, but it is doing phenomenally well with the younger audience that we wanted.”
Adding to speculation about the show’s future, Davies has recently signed on to write “Tip Toe,” a five-part drama for Channel 4 exploring gay life in Britain, a move some interpret as preparation for life after Doctor Who.
A familiar pattern?
If Doctor Who does enter a hiatus, it wouldn’t be the first time the series has taken an extended break. After Sylvester McCoy’s final season in 1989, the show disappeared from regular television until a one-off TV movie starring Paul McGann in 1996. The series remained dormant until its full revival with Christopher Eccleston in 2005.
Reports suggest that crew members working on the latest season, which wrapped filming this month, were told not to expect additional Doctor Who work for potentially another decade.
What’s next for Gatwa?
Sources close to the production claim Gatwa is looking to expand his career opportunities in Hollywood, with The Sun reporting: “Ncuti doesn’t want to be tied to the series beyond this and plans to relocate to Los Angeles with several Hollywood projects standing by for him.”
Given his breakout success in Netflix’s “Sex Education” before Doctor Who and his rising profile, moving to more diverse international projects seems a natural progression for the talented actor.
The official position
The BBC has maintained a cautious stance on the show’s future, stating: “Doctor Who has not been shelved. As we have previously stated, the decision on season three will be made after season two airs. The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes, and exactly half of those still have to transmit. And as for the rest, we never comment on the Doctor and future storylines.”
For now, fans will have to wait for the second season featuring Gatwa alongside companion Ruby Sunday (played by Millie Gibson) to discover what the future holds for this enduring science fiction institution.
What do you think about these developments? Would you like to see Doctor Who continue with a new Doctor, or does the series need another creative break? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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