Doctor Who bosses ‘struggling to find new lead for poisoned chalice role’

BBC bosses are reportedly struggling to fill the Ncuti Gatwa-shaped hole in the Tardis for the Doctor Who Christmas special later this year.

The beloved time-travelling show finally confirmed that we haven’t seen the last of the Time Lord quite yet.

Disney had quietly pulled out of its much-touted partnership with the broadcaster on the show, after Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor regenerated into Billie Piper to mixed reviews from fans, leaving the show’s future unclear. 

But the BBC confirmed that the show will return this festive season for a special episode, written by longtime showrunner Russell T Davies, with a new season to follow.

However, the future actor taking on the mantle of the Doctor has remained rather opaque.

It has now been reported that it will not be Billie Piper – who won viewers over in her role as Rose Tyler, alongside first Christopher Eccleston and then, epicly, David Tennant.

Instead, The Sun has reported that producers are still on the hunt for the next lucky name to take on the show’s starring role, despite claims the Beeb put ‘feelers’ out as soon as Gatwa was confirmed to be stepping back.

The source told the publication: ‘Despite once being one of TV’s most coveted roles, it’s now seen as a bit of a poisoned chalice.

‘Plus, anyone taking on the job will want to know if it’s going to be a one-off festive special or go beyond that as they will want to plan their workload over the coming years.’

Metro contacted the BBC for comment on the report and a spokesperson said: ‘We never comment on speculation.’

Christmas might feel – and, indeed, is – a long way off, but Who’s veteran composer Murray Gold has already shed some initial light on the script, or scripts.

‘I know Russell’s written, I think, multiple versions depending on certain outcomes,’ he said on the Half the Picture podcast.

Gold added: ‘That’s all I really know, and I’m not sure I’m even supposed to know that. I normally do a very good job of not finding things out.

‘I make my job of keeping secrets very easy by never finding out in the first place.’

Doctor Who is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The show will return later this year with a Christmas special. 

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