Podcast: ‘A Friendly Film Take’ - What does the future hold for 'Doctor Who'?

In the latest instalment of the Film News Blitz podcast, A Friendly Film Take, Dan Lawrence is joined by Heidi Hardman-Welsh to delve into matters on the small screen.

After a rocky partnership with Disney, the BBC recently confirmed that Doctor Who will return for Christmas 2026 without the House of Mouse with a special episode written by Russell T Davies.

Dan and Heidi discuss what this means for Britain's beloved Sci-Fi show, look back on Ncuti Gatwa's time as the Doctor and where things went wrong with Disney.

What's more, Dan and Heidi look to what the future may hold while reminiscing on their favourite aspects of Doctor Who.

Doctor Who will return next Christmas

“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,” said Lindsay Salt, Director of Drama, BBC, in a statement outlining Doctor Who’s future.

“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.

“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.”

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