Doctor Who’s future remains unclear as an insider reveals “nothing is commissioned and nothing is guaranteed” following the season finale.
The TARDIS may be grounded for longer than fans hoped. A month after the latest Doctor Who season finale, uncertainty looms over the beloved sci-fi series’ return, with one longtime insider offering a sobering update on its status.
Tom Spilsbury, former editor of Doctor Who Magazine and a veteran of over 100 issues chronicling the show’s production, shared candid insights on fan forum Gallifrey Base, warning that despite expectations of a return, Doctor Who currently has no new episodes commissioned.
“I suspect the show will indeed come back at some point,” Spilsbury wrote, “but as of right now, nothing is commissioned and nothing is guaranteed.” His comments echo growing concerns among fans, especially with the show’s Disney co-funding deal yet to be renewed.
Spilsbury noted the slowdown in TV production across the board, adding that if Disney does not renew its option before it expires, the BBC would be free to seek new production partners—a process that could prove lengthy and complicated. “That process could take a fair bit of time,” he explained, “and may require more than one partner just to raise the money needed.”
While acknowledging his views were personal speculation, Spilsbury cited real conversations with industry insiders. His tone was far from optimistic. “I don’t get the sense of much optimism for anything very soon from anyone I’ve spoken to.”
A key challenge appears to be the show’s funding structure. Spilsbury cast doubt on whether an in-house, budget-conscious version of the series would be viable in today’s climate, citing the stagnation of the licence fee against rising costs.
In a stark prediction, Spilsbury suggested that the show could be off the air for five or six years. “At which point,” he speculated, “it will be the children of 2005 who will be bringing the show back, just as Russell [T Davies] predicted.”
Davies, the current showrunner, recently told BBC Newsround that Doctor Who sometimes “pauses” until a new generation revives it—a nod to the show’s hiatus before his 2005 relaunch with Christopher Eccleston. If Doctor Who does return after a long break, Spilsbury believes a complete reimagining would be likely.
“There may well be a greater desire from future potential co-funding partners for any new deal to also promise a fresh vision for the series,” he wrote, hinting that even the recent twist ending featuring Billie Piper may be set aside in a future reboot.
Asked whether the Season 2 finale’s reshot conclusion—which saw Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor exit and Piper reappear—might complicate a return, Spilsbury replied: “Yes, but I think it will eventually become academic.” He believes enough time will pass that fans will expect a clean slate.
Meanwhile, Davies has admitted that the current production team “don’t know what’s happening yet,” and while the BBC has announced an animated Doctor Who spin-off for CBeebies, it remains unclear if the Doctor will feature.
For now, the series that has traveled across time and space finds itself in a state of suspended animation—its future as mysterious as the next regeneration.
