BBC Confirms Doctor Who Christmas Special 2026: Disney+ Partnership Over?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta The BBC has officially announced that the popular science fiction series, Doctor Who, will return with a Christmas special in 2026.

This highly anticipated episode will be written by showrunner Russell T. Davies, promising an exciting storyline for loyal fans.

The 2026 Christmas special will be produced by Bad Wolf in association with BBC Studios for broadcast on the BBC.

This news comes alongside confirmation that the partnership between Disney+ and Doctor Who will not continue beyond the upcoming spin-off series, "The War Between the Land and the Sea."

Nevertheless, the BBC reiterated its full commitment to the Doctor Who's continuing adventures, ensuring that the series will remain one of the most beloved dramas.

This announcement has also sparked much speculation about the next chapter, especially after the shocking cliffhanger at the end of season 15.

Fans are now eagerly awaiting how the 2026 Christmas special will resolve the mystery of the 15th Doctor's regeneration, played by Ncuti Gatwa, into a new character played by Billie Piper.

BBC confirms future of Doctor Who and a new Christmas Special in 2026!Read more on the #DoctorWho website ➡️ https://t.co/DNFvHriPY1 pic.twitter.com/Oyn04HrAEC

— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) October 28, 2025

The BBC has officially confirmed the return of Doctor Who to the small screen for Christmas 2026 with a special episode.

This episode will be a major highlight for fans, especially as it will be written by Russell T. Davies, the man behind the series' modern revival.

The production of this special will involve a collaboration between Bad Wolf and BBC Studio.

“We’d like to thank Disney+ for being terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons, and for the upcoming ‘The War Between the Land and the Sea,'” Lindsay Salt, director of drama at the BBC, said in a statement.

“The BBC remains fully committed to ‘Doctor Who,’ which continues to be one of our most loved dramas, and we are delighted that Russell T Davies has agreed to write us another spectacular Christmas special for 2026. We can assure fans, the Doctor is not going anywhere, and we will be announcing plans for the next series in due course which will ensure the TARDIS remains at the heart of the BBC.”

Disney+ has confirmed that it will not continue its partnership with Doctor Who for another season following the release of the spin-off "The War Between the Land and the Sea."

This decision marks a significant shift in the series' international distribution strategy.

Nevertheless, the BBC has expressed its full commitment to the future of Doctor Who.

"The War Between the Land and the Sea," a "Doctor Who" spin-off starring Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, will air on Disney+, BBC One, and BBC iPlayer later this year.

A new "Doctor Who" animated series is also in development at CBeebies, the BBC's children's channel.

The 2026 Christmas Special is expected to resolve the major cliffhanger from the end of season 15, which has left many fans wondering.

At the end of that season, the 15th Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, unexpectedly regenerated as the character played by Billie Piper.

Ncuti Gatwa's departure from the series and the appearance of Billie Piper in his place has sparked widespread speculation.

It remains unclear whether Billie Piper will take over as the 16th Doctor or whether she will play another character with a key role in the narrative.

The BBC has promised to announce detailed plans for the next series after the 2026 special.