TV news: Russell T Davies - ‘I know exactly what happens’ in ‘Doctor Who’ 2026 Christmas special
Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has provided a fresh update on the future of the beloved sci-fi show.
With the TARDIS returning to screens next Christmas, Whovians are hotly anticipating what comes next.
Davies knows just what to do with his next Doctor Who script, Film News Blitz’s Dan Lawrence reports.
Davies to write 2026 Doctor Who Christmas special in the New Year
Last month, news broke that the BBC will part ways with Disney on future episodes of Doctor Who, with next year’s festive special the first time we will see the show return after 2025’s divisive finale.
Ncuti Gatwa regenerated in ‘The Reality War’, with former companion Billie Piper taking his place.
It’s a riddle worth unpacking, with many people curious as to whether Piper really is the Doctor.
READ MORE: TV news: ‘Doctor Who’ returning Christmas 2026 without Disney
A rumoured ‘set photo’ of the eighth Doctor, Paul McGann and Piper has been doing the rounds on social media, but that is by all means fakery (thanks AI), especially since Davies hasn’t even started working on a script.
Asked by RadioTimes.com if he’d started work on the Doctor Who 2026 Christmas special, Davies said, "Not at the moment because I'm busy on [The War Between the Land and the Sea].
“I'm also shooting a show in Manchester, so next year my plate clears and we'll get to work on that."
Still, Davies added, "I know exactly what happens in it, don't worry about that."
What is ‘The War Between the Land and the Sea’?
Davies’ priority, The War Between the Land and the Sea, is the last product of the doomed BBC/Disney Doctor Who partnership.
A spin-off from the main show, this five-part drama will feature the core characters from UNIT, and everyman Barclay (Russell Tovey), who is thrust into a conflict with the Sea Devils.
An unlikely bond with the aquacious Salt (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) will be a key thread throughout the five episodes.
The show will kick off with a double bill on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK at 8:30 pm on Sunday, December 7 and on Disney+ overseas.
After two years of Doctor Who airing at ungodly hours ahead of a TV broadcast, a simultaneous release on iPlayer and BBC One for The War Between the Land and the Sea is a welcome refreshment.
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