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‘Doctor Who’s Most Divisive Showrunner Sheds Light on the Show’s Cancellation

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How the timey-wimey have fallen. It wasn’t long ago that it felt like the future of Doctor Who was in safe hands, as former showrunner Russell T. Davies, who had helmed the series’ best modern period, returned to steer a once-sinking ship. However, this second stint for Davies, which saw him rely heavily on nostalgia and fail to turn around dropping ratings, ended in disaster. Even exciting new Time Lord Ncuti Gatwa seemingly exited earlier than expected, with his final episode a rushed, unconvincing mess.

It was recently announced that Doctor Who had been put out to competitive tender, with the once-promised 2026 Christmas special and hunt for a new lead, in fact, not true all along. Since this announcement, many have had their say, from Davies pulling the rug from beneath fans’ feet to former stars mourning the loss. Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, who is cited as the showrunner who began this downward spiral for Doctor Who, has now candidly admitted on the WHO Corner to Corner podcast exactly what the main reason is behind this mammoth decision.

Chibnall revealed that it’s “very easy to miss the point that this is primarily about money,” adding, “It’s very hard for the BBC to fund their programmes right now because of what’s been done to them in terms of funding agreements over the past 15 years and the slow whittling away of that, and the increase in big Hollywood monoliths and conglomerates really taking over the market.” After a new regime at the BBC saw budgets slashed and many shows affected, this is hardly a surprise. “Really, what you’ve got is the BBC can’t afford to fully fund any drama now, and it certainly can’t afford to fund Doctor Who,” he added. Chibnall continued:

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“Any discussion around it is about money more than anything else, and I think that that’s been missed a little in the discourse that I saw around the show. There’s all kinds of other things and obviously it’s hugely disappointing and hasn’t been handled brilliantly. But really, the big story is, look, this is a BBC that cannot afford to make shows that it wants to make. The BBC wants to make Doctor Who. Don’t be in any doubt about that.”



















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Which Sci-Fi Hero Are You Most Like?
Paul Atreides · Captain Kirk · Princess Leia · Ellen Ripley · Max Rockatansky

Five iconic heroes. Five completely different ways of facing an impossible universe. One of them shares your instincts, your values, and your particular way of refusing to back down. Eight questions will tell you which one.

🏜️Paul Atreides

🖖Capt. Kirk

Princess Leia

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🔦Ellen Ripley

🔥Max Rockatansky

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Arrakis · Dune

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Princess Leia

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Max Rockatansky

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Will ‘Doctor Who’ Return?

As a show with change at its heart (or two hearts), Doctor Who and its millions of fans are no strangers to uncertainty. However, things haven’t felt this uncertain since the show first went off air all those decades ago. So what now? Will Doctor Who return? As one of the BBC’s flagship shows and one of the most famous sci-fi shows in the world, it’s unlikely Doctor Who will ever truly disappear. But will it return in its current form? That remains to be seen, but if BBC Studios can purchase the rights, then fans will have the best chance of seeing the timey-wimey show they know and love back on their screens.

You can stream the most recent Doctor Who seasons on Disney+. Stay tuned to Collider for the latest updates.


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Release Date

2024 – 2025-00-00

Network
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BBC One

Directors

Alex Pillai, Peter Hoar, Ben Chessell, Julie Anne Robinson, Jamie Donoughue, Amanda Brotchie, Dylan Holmes Williams

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Writers

Steven Moffat, Pete McTighe, Kate Herron, Inua Ellams, Juno Dawson

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Franchise(s)

Doctor Who / Whoniverse

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