When Disney teamed up with the BBC in 2022 to help bring Doctor Who to global audiences, it was pitched as a new era for the long-running sci-fi classic, which would give the series a Marvel-style boost in scope and scope.
But just two years later, that ambitious partnership foundered. The BBC has confirmed that its co-production deal with Disney has ended and the Mouse House hasn’t even bothered to issue a statement. So what really went wrong?
A lukewarm partnership from the start
According to several insiders, Disney’s enthusiasm for Doctor Who never really turned on. One former Disney executive said, “It was pretty clear from the beginning that this wasn’t a long-term thing. Everyone was under the impression that it wasn’t doing what it was supposed to do.” [on Disney+] be supported.”
Another source close to the show added: “The writing has been years in the making. There has been a complete lack of enthusiasm at Disney.”
Initially, the partnership seemed like a huge win for the BBC. Announced at the height of the streaming wars, the deal was worth up to £168 million, with each episode of the series. Ncuti Gatwa-driven era costing between £6 and £8 million to produce.
But later Bob Iger returned as CEO of Disney and began cutting lavish streaming budgets, the company’s appetite for high-cost projects that lacked mass appeal quickly waned.
The struggle to find a US audience
Despite the Doctor Who As a brand that is a pop culture institution in the UK, its debut on Disney+ failed to create a stir among American viewers. It never made the Nielsen streaming charts, and the Entertainment Strategy Guy blog labeled it one of the “flops” of 2024. Awards season also ignored it, with just one Primetime Emmy nomination for choreography.
Domestically, the show’s viewership has also suffered a decline. The fifteenth season averaged 3.8 million viewers in the UK, one million fewer than the previous season and well below Jodie Whittakerit’s the last race. “The ratings weren’t great,” admitted someone involved in the series.
The problem wasn’t just the number of spectators; it was also how Disney marketed it. “It certainly wasn’t touted as a big hit,” the former Disney insider said, noting that the show lacked the promotional push of Marvel or Star Wars.
A BBC Studios executive agreed, saying: “It never looked like Disney was making a big deal on the iconic sci-fi series.”
“Too smart for Trump’s United States”?
One of the most controversial theories behind Disney’s decision involves politics. A well-placed industry source told Deadline Doctor Who has become “too smart for Trump’s United States” and this may have influenced Disney’s choice not to renew.
Under Russell T. Daviesthe show embraced progressive storytelling, with a transgender character played by Yasmin Finneya bad drag queen played by Monsoon Jinkxand a homosexual kiss between Gatwa and Jonathan Groff.
While Disney would never admit that political pressure influenced its choice, insiders believe the company was cautious about provoking reactions from right-wing audiences. Recent corporate moves, such as temporarily benching Jimmy Kimmel, have shown Disney’s sensitivity to MAGA criticism.
Creative burnout and tension behind the scenes
To further complicate matters, Ncuti Gatwa’s time in the TARDIS was short-lived. After just two seasons, the actor stepped away, citing tiredness: “I was getting older and my body was tired.”
A Doctor Who the source suggested that Gatwa never fully embraced the ambassadorial role that came with playing the Doctor. “There’s more to that role than performing,” they said. “You have to be a brand ambassador and embrace being that generation’s doctor.”
Fans were also divided over Gatwa’s race. “There were some strong episodes in both, but the two-part finales weren’t particularly popular,” he said Tony Giordano of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society. “The lack of episodes has made it difficult for the public to get to know Ncuti and his companions.”
What comes next for Doctor Who
The BBC now faces a much tighter budget for future seasons. Without Disney funding, industry insiders estimate the network will have to cut production costs by almost half, to around £2.5-3m per episode.
“Once you go up, it’s always hard to go back,” the former Disney executive said. “You can cut budgets to a certain extent, but not that much. Is the BBC really going to put even more effort into something that shows decline?”
However, not everyone sees this as bad news. A BBC Studios insider argued that losing Disney could actually restore the show’s creative spirit. “The budget limitations helped the show’s idiosyncrasies,” they said, pointing to larger-than-life, smaller-scale episodes like “73 Yards” as proof that less can be more.
Meanwhile, with the arrival of the 2026 Christmas special, which is said to conclude the Gatwa era and possibly create a new Doctor, Russell T Davies could soon pass the sonic screwdriver to a new showrunner.
“Nothing says Russell will be showrunner from 2027 onwards,” Jordan said. “It may be time for a new showrunner to take the project forward.”
As head of BBC drama Lindsay Salt rthey reassured fans: “the TARDIS remains the heart of the BBC”. And maybe that’s the silver lining here. After all, Doctor Who has already survived cancellations, regenerations and reboots.
Disney may have fallen out of the time stream, but for this iconic series, the next adventure isn’t too far away.
Source: deadline
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
