‘Doctor Who’ Insider Responds to ‘Dead’ Series Rumors and Teases Future Plans

Recent comments by former Doctor Who writer Robert Shearman sparked worry among fans, as he suggested the long-running sci-fi series is “as dead as we’ve probably ever known it.”

However, the show’s producer, Jane Tranter, quickly pushed back on the claim in an interview with BBC Radio Wales, calling it “really rude, actually. And really untrue.”

Tranter clarified that the show is still very much active. She explained that the BBC and BBC Studios partnered with Disney+ for a 26-episode run, and 21 episodes have already been completed.

“We have got another five episodes of The War Between The Land And The Sea to come. At some point after that, decisions will be made together with all of us about what the future of Doctor Who entails,” she said.

Tranter emphasized that the franchise has been evolving for decades. “It’s a 60-year-old franchise. It’s been going for 20 years nonstop since we brought it back in 2005. You would expect it to change, wouldn’t you? Nothing continues the same always, or it shouldn’t continue the same always. But the one thing we can all be really clear of is that the Doctor will be back,” she added.

BBC Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips also previously reassured fans that the show will continue regardless of Disney+’s involvement. “Any Whovians out there, rest assured – Doctor Who is going nowhere. Disney has been a great partnership and it continues with The War Between The Land And The Sea next year but, going forward, with or without Disney, Doctor Who will still be on the BBC. The TARDIS is going nowhere,” Phillips said.

The reassurance comes amid a period of transition for the series. Ncuti Gatwa’s time as the Doctor recently ended with a surprise regeneration into Billie Piper, a twist that made headlines.

The first four episodes of season 15 averaged 3.1 million viewers, down from Gatwa’s debut season at 3.9 million and Jodie Whittaker’s final year, which opened at about 5 million.

Some online chatter blamed “woke” storylines for declining ratings. What is clear is that the BBC remains committed to the show and its future.

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