Showrunner, Russell T Davies, has warned fans not to expect Doctor Who Series 16 to be commissioned until after Series 15 airs on TV and streams on iPlayer and Disney+.
Referring to the next run of episodes, due out next year, as “Season 2”, Davies says:
“It’s an industry decision, it’s like any business – these things take time. I think the decision will come after the transmission of Season 2. That’s what we’re expecting, that’s what we’ve always been heading towards.”
It’s only fair that companies assess how well a programme is doing before recommissioning it. This time, however, many feel a bit more tense because: 1. it’s a co-production now, so both the BBC and Disney presumably have a say in its future (though we don’t really know how this works, so perhaps if one doesn’t pick it up, the other will?); and 2. the announced viewing figures were lower than hoped, something even Bad Wolf Productions and the BBC have admitted. Note that Disney+ doesn’t release viewing figures traditionally, and all parties acknowledged that they were happy as Doctor Who brought in a young audience.
Next series will be the second of Davies’ return to the franchise and the second for Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor. Millie Gibson will also be coming back as Ruby Sunday, joined by a new companion too.
Despite Series 16 not being commissioned yet, Russell has said he’s started working on it, so he’s clearly got long-term plans for the show. We’ll just have to wait to find out if we actually get to see those plans.
Doctor Who will return this Christmas before a full run of stories in early 2025.
