Doctor Who fans promised announcement about new Doctor in days

Russell T. Davies has been quizzed on Doctor Who’s return following its last airing in May 2025

Doctor Who fans have been “promised” an announcement about the new Doctor – and this is when it’s likely to happen, according to showrunner Russell T. Davies.

The 63-year-old has given a promising update on the future of the beloved sci-fi programme, which comes after plans for the show’s future were thrown up in the air when lead actor Ncuti Gatwa made the decision to step away from the titular role after just two series.

Scenes aired in May last year saw the Doctor regenerating into Billie Piper, who previously played the Doctor’s companion for two seasons. She was one of the most popular assistants during her time paired with Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant in the 2000s.

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Her return marked her character Rose’s first Doctor Who appearance since the 2013 50th anniversary special The Day of the Doctor. However, with Billie not credited as the Doctor in the credits, fans were confused about whether she’d be the second actress to lead the TARDIS.

In a statement, at the time, she said: “It’s no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there. So to be given the opportunity to step back on that TARDIS one more time was just something I couldn’t refuse, but who, how, why and when, you’ll just have to wait and see.”

On top of this, it wasn’t confirmed if the show was coming back for a long period. It means viewers are still in the dark regarding the status of a potential festive special later this year, after reports suggested one is on the way. However, asked whether fans will get an announcement about a new Doctor soon, Russell told Gary Davies on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show: “You will get an announcement.

“There is a press release lumbering through the BBC, which, as you know, is like the Jurassic period, and 57 people have to sign off on every single word. I promise you in about a week, two weeks, there will be some sort of press release, and yet I can hear the gears slowing down even as I say that. You know this place!”

Russell also gave insight into his role as Doctor Who’s showrunner, as he explained: “It’s scripts, actors, casting, when you’re finding Ncuti Gatwa, who had just come out of Sex Education, keeping your eye on business, like who’s the next upcoming star? Oh my god, Ncuti – what a meteor of a star he is.

“It’s also the other end of it with the budget and the schedules and what’s on location where, and the writers, of course, and getting directors in. It’s kind of running everything, but helped by a vast team of people – please don’t think it’s just me, as much as I like to claim otherwise!”