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Doctor Who season 14 earned a spot among top Disney Plus shows globally

Doctor Who season 14 earned a spot among top Disney Plus shows globally

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Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson leaning against one another, smiling ahead. They are dressed as The Doctor and Ruby Sunday in the middle of the TARDIS.
BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon

The future of Doctor Who beyond the upcoming season 15 might remain up in the air, but a recent announcement from Disney Plus has given fans reason to be hopeful.

In a recent release confirming the new season’s 12th April launch date, the streamer also gave an indication of how the previous run of episodes starring Ncuti Gatwa had performed.

The release reveals that Doctor Who “was a top 5 series on Disney+ globally every week it aired”.

It also cites the series as “one of the most watched programmes on [BBC] iPlayer and , as well as being the BBC’s top drama for under 35’s this year”.

Doctor Who’s 14th season has seen a shift in viewing habits, with traditional overnight ratings appearing lower than previous years but consolidated figures showing a more positive trend. The BBC has defended the show’s performance, citing its strong appeal among younger audiences and its success on BBC iPlayer.

“It’s not doing that well in the ratings, but it is doing phenomenally well with the younger audience that we wanted,” showrunner Russell T Davies said in June last year.

Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor and Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday on Doctor Who. They are both looking at an object that Ncuti is holding as they are stood in the TARDIS.
Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor and Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday on Doctor Who James Pardon/Bad Wolf/BBC Studios

The season saw the long-running sci-fi series adopt a new release model, with episodes dropping on iPlayer at midnight before their BBC One broadcast.

Davies has also defended the release model, arguing that it aligns with modern viewing habits. He described the midnight iPlayer release as the “future” of television, allowing audiences to watch at their convenience.

There will, however, be a shift for the upcoming season, which will debut new episodes on iPlayer at the later time of 8am.

While the BBC remains committed to Doctor Who, the show’s future is partially tied to its partnership with Disney Plus, which provides international distribution and financial backing – and speculation over whether Disney will continue its involvement has raised questions about the show’s long-term sustainability.

Despite this uncertainty, Davies has already begun writing season 16 – with a final decision on a renewal set to be made after season 15 has aired.

Doctor Who season 15 will see Ncuti Gatwa reprise his role as the Fifteenth Doctor. He’ll be joined by Varada Sethu as his new companion, Belinda Chandra, while Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday will also return, continuing her story after finding her biological family.

A star-studded guest lineup has been announced, including Alan Cumming as Mr Ring-a-Ding, an animated character wreaking havoc in a 1952-set episode, while other guest stars include Christopher Chung and Rose Ayling-Ellis.

FIRST LOOK CLIP FROM UPCOMING CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

FIRST LOOK CLIP FROM UPCOMING CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

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Joy To The World, written by Steven Moffat, will air on BBC One on Christmas Day and guest stars Nicola Coughlan opposite The Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa

Joining the Christmas special, alongside Couglan and revealed in Doctor Who Magazine, are Peter Benedict and Julia Watson as Basil and Hilda. Niamh Marie Smith will play Sylvia, Phil Baxter is Edmund Hillary, Samuel Sherpa-Moore is Tenzing Norgay, Steph de Whalley is Anita and Jonathan Aris played Melnak the Silurian.

Galway born actress, Couglan, has made a huge impact in film and television having starred in standout roles such as the hilarious Clare Devlin in award-winning drama comedy series Derry Girls, Penelope Featherington in the regency-era international sensation Bridgerton, and not to forget one of the Barbies in mega-blockbuster Barbie, alongside the Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa.

Doctor Who will then return in 2025 with Season 2, which will see The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) reunite alongside new companion played by Varada Sethu. Sethu made a surprise appearence in Season 1 as part of the cast of Boom.

Varada joins the Whoniverse from a galaxy far, far away after starring in the Disney+ Star Wars series Andor. Now she straps in for another journey through time and space alongside Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor and Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday.

On joining Doctor Who, Nicola Coughlan says:

“I’m excited to join the Whoniverse under the leadership of the inimitable Russell T Davies. I’ve been a fan of Ncuti Gatwa for some time and getting to share the screen with him as the Doctor has been an absolute joy”.

Christmas Special Plot Details Announced

Christmas Special Plot Details Announced

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Doctor Who: Joy To The World

Doctor Who writer Steven Moffat has revealed the first details about this year’s Christmas special.

Bridgerton‘s Nicola Coughlan will be starring in the title role of ‘Joy to the World’ as a traveler checking into a London hotel over the festive period.

Before long, Joy’s quiet holiday is interrupted by a Silurian wandering into her hotel room and the sudden arrival of The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) to take her on a time-travelling adventure.

During an interview with BBC South East, Moffat confirmed that the special will take place “in the far, far future” where a hotel comes up with an unexpected use of time travel.

“Imagine that a hotel chain got hold of the idea of time travel,” he teased. “What’s the first thing a hotel would do if they had time travel? They’d realise they have an opportunity to sell all the unsold nights in their old hotels [throughout] history.”

The plot has a typically Moffat-style wibbly wobbly, timey wimey twist that was first seen in a teaser clip released over the summer.  The Doctor pops from the Orient Express to World War II-era London to the present day in search of someone special.

While Moffat couldn’t reveal any more plot information about ‘Joy to the World’, he did share how excited he was to be writing a new Christmas special so many years after his Doctor Who showrunner stint.

“The truth is, I actually love doing Doctor Who Christmas,” he explained. “I’m a big fan of Christmas. I absolutely adore Christmas.”

The writer confirmed that Davies initially reached out to ask for his help because he was struggling to fit in time to write a 2024 Christmas special before moving on to next year’s full season.

Earlier this year, Steven Moffat said he was conflicted while writing the 2024 Christmas special since it may be the final time he writes for Doctor Who.

“As I got to the end of ‘Boom’ and ‘Joy to the World’, I did think, ‘Is that it? Is that the final moment?’ I think they both have quite good final moments for the Doctor, [so] I was thinking, ‘Yeah, that could be goodbye’,” he told TV Choice.

The BBC Didn’t Censor Ncuti Gatwa Over ‘Doctor Who’ Being Renewed ?

The BBC Didn’t Censor Ncuti Gatwa Over ‘Doctor Who’ Being Renewed ?

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BBC Cuts Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor Who Comment “Confirming” a Third Series for the 15th Doctor | Doctor Who TV
BBC Cuts Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor Who Comment “Confirming” a Third Series for the 15th Doctor | Doctor Who TV

When Ncuti Gatwa recorded The Graham Norton Show last Thursday, he delivered what appeared to be good news for Doctor Who fans: his third season as the Time Lord would shoot next year.

Gatwa’s comments were briefed to the press by The Graham Norton Show‘s publicity team on Friday morning, but his quote mysteriously changed when the chat show broadcast on BBC1 later that evening.

Speaking to Norton on the famous red sofa, Gatwa originally revealed:

“We did the second series this year, the Christmas special is coming up, and we are filming a third series next year.”

But when the show aired, this was edited to:

“We finished the second season earlier this year, we’ve got the Christmas episode coming out … at Christmas … But it’s been amazing.”

The Graham Norton Show warns journalists that it is not unusual for certain quotes fail to make the final cut, but the switch led some Whovians to question whether Gatwa’s remarks had been censored by the BBC amid uncertainty over Doctor Who’s future.

The truth is rather more mundane. Speaking with Deadline it was stated that The Graham Norton Show made the edit to liven up Gatwa’s answer and was not obeying a “sinister” request from BBC bosses.

Indeed, the Doctor Who team was not involved in brokering the interview, given the Sex Education star was promoting his appearance in The Importance of Being Earnest at the National Theatre.

The BBC has, however, distanced itself from Gatwa’s remarks, restating that Doctor Who will not be renewed until the actor’s second season has premiered next year on BBC1 and Disney+.

“As we’ve said previously, the decision on season three will be made after season two transmits and as always we don’t comment on speculation,” a spokesperson said. Season 2 will likely launch next spring.

There is said to be some confusion about why Gatwa made the comment, particularly given showrunner Russell T Davies has echoed the BBC’s position about future seasons.

“The decision to commission Season 3 won’t be made until after Season 2 has transmitted. And that’s always been the deal since the start,”

Davies said in the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine. The writer has previously said he has started work on Season 3 scripts and that he is “very confident” about a renewal.

The Graham Norton Show incident has provoked another round of questions about Doctor Who’s future, not least a front-page story in The Daily Mirror from Nicola Methven, who is well-sourced on the Bad Wolf and BBC Studios-produced franchise.

Deadline reported in July that Disney is uncertain about whether it will continue to co-produce Doctor Who beyond 2025. The Mouse House’s commitment is critical to budgets, storylines, and casting, meaning its withdrawal could mean major changes to the show.

Liam Keelan, Disney’s SVP of original productions in EMEA, declined to comment on a future greenlight at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August. He did, however, hail Doctor Who as a “really good fit” for Disney+.

Gatwa’s own future on the series is also up in the air. A source told Deadline that “he might not be long for the job” as he explores other roles. His rep has been contacted for comment.

What seems certain is that Doctor Who fans will have to wait until 2027 before a follow-up to next year’s season. It remains to be seen in what form the sci-fi franchise will regenerate.

NCuti Gatwa Indicates his involvement in Series 16?

NCuti Gatwa Indicates his involvement in Series 16?

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Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa reveals 'we're filming third season' on Graham ...
Doctor Who’s Ncuti Gatwa reveals ‘we’re filming third season’ on The Graham Norton Show.

Recent press reports are stating that Ncuti Gatwa is returning to film a third series of Doctor Who in 2025. However, it appears the situation is not quite so clear-cut.

During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Ncuti Gatwa was widely reported to have confirmed his future involvement, indicating at a third run for his Doctor. However, this part of his comment was notably edited out from the final BBC broadcast, raising questions about the certainty of these plans.

Originally, Ncuti Gatwa was reported as saying:

“It is all going well. We did the second series this year, the Christmas special is coming up, and we are filming a third series next year.”

But in the final broadcast version of the interview, Gatwa said:

“It’s all going well. We finished the second season earlier this year, we’ve got the Christmas episode coming out … at Christmas … But it’s been amazing.”

While fans took his original comment as a clear confirmation of a future series beyond next year, the decision to omit the part about the third series filming suggests that things are still very much up in the air.

Adding to that, Russell T Davies reiterated that no official commission for Series 16—or “Season 3,” as he referred to it—has been made (yet).

“The decision to commission Season 3 won’t be made until after Season 2 has aired,” Davies said in this month’s DWM (released last week). “And that’s always been the arrangement since the start.”

It is entirely likely that there are at least plans for filming and Gatwa is just getting a bit ahead of himself. This all will likely be dependent on the Disney+ deal and their plans with the show after their two seasons have aired as it is far from clear at the moment whether Disney will extend their involvement with Doctor Who beyond their initial two season deal or whether the BBC will look for another partner, perhaps even bringing it back fully in-house, only time will tell!

Ed: Were you in the studio audience for this recording of The Graham Norton Show, can you let us know exactly what was said, if so, we’d love to hear from you!

Original Doctor Who star ponders ’emotional’ return

Original Doctor Who star ponders ’emotional’ return

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A recent photo of Carole Ann Ford smiling at a BBC event marking the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who in 2023
Carole Ann Ford is the last surviving original cast member of Doctor Who

The last surviving cast member from the very first Doctor Who series said she would like to return to the show as the 60th anniversary of her final appearance approaches.

Carole Ann Ford, from Ilford, played Susan, granddaughter of the Doctor played by William Hartnell when the BBC show started in 1963. The character has been frequently mentioned in the recent series with Ncuti Gatwa.

During an appearance at Luton Comic Con, the actress said she wanted to return although she admitted it “would be very emotional.. very emotional”.

“I don’t know if I could survive the excitement actually, it would be intense beyond all intensity,” she said.

Actress Carol Ann Ford Who Played Companion Susan In Doctor, 56% OFF
Actress Carol Ann Ford Who Played Companion Susan In Doctor Who

The 84-year-old is the last member of the original cast following the death of William Russell in June.

She said: “It’s not just returning, it would bring back all the memories of William Russell and Jackie and Bill [William Hartnell] and various other people who aren’t with us anymore.

“I might be a little bit overcome and start blubbing.

“I keep being reminded I’m the last one standing and it’s not something I’m happy to hear.”

Sixties City - Doctor Who
Carole Anne Ford (Middle) with Jacqueline Hill (left) and William Russell (right) as the original TARDIS team.

She appeared as the granddaughter of the original Doctor, played by William Hartnell, but was left behind after a showdown with the Daleks set in Bedfordshire and broadcast on 26 December 1964.

At the time, the Doctor promised to return for her, but despite an appearance in the 20th anniversary special The Five Doctors, a story that would address the reunion between the characters is yet to take place.

“He said he’d come back and get me and never did. I’d give him a good telling off if I saw him again,” she said.

“I understand their dilemma, how difficult it must be to write for me. It has been 60 years since I was first in it.

“I’ve met Russell [T Davies] a few times and I absolutely adore him. He is the man that would be the boss man to say yes or no – so hopefully it’s going to be yes.”

Last year the character returned to screens in a newly colourised version of the 1963 episode, The Daleks, which was broadcast on BBC Four to mark the show’s 60th anniversary.

The actress encouraged fans to be vocal in their support of her return if there was any chance of her returning.

In an interview on BBC Three Counties Radio, she hinted that she had had “one or two” conversations about returning in the past.

“I’ve had many conversations about going back, maybe not with the right people, I don’t know,” she added.

When it was suggested her character could be recast, she joked: “They better not, I’d burn the studio down.”

Ncuti Gatwa confirmed for Graham Norton Show appearance

Ncuti Gatwa confirmed for Graham Norton Show appearance

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graham norton, the graham norton show
Graham Norton, The Graham Norton Show

Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa has been confirmed for an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, with the actor part of a stacked line-up.

For the episode on Friday October 11, Gatwa will talk about his stint in the TARDIS and his upcoming role on the stage in The Importance of Being Earnest, which gets underway in November.

He’ll be joined on the famous red sofa by Zoe Saldaña, who has appeared in the Marvel, Avatar and Star Trek franchises.

The star, who played Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy series, will be joined by her Emilia Pérez co-star Selena Gomez, with the pair chatting about the upcoming musical.

The final celebrity in the line-up will be Miranda Hart, with the comedian set to discuss her life ahead of the release of her memoir, I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest with You.

Gatwa, who has also starred in Sex Education and Barbie, had his first set of adventures as the iconic Time Lord earlier this year, with the series following his journey across space and time with companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson).

One notable aspect of the newest series was the emphasis on costuming, which Gatwa spoke to Digital Spy about earlier this year.

“The Doctor’s travelled throughout time and space. He’s been to a few thrift shops. He’s got a large, large wardrobe. You will see a lot of outfits,” he said.

“Pam Downe is our costume designer. She is incredible. She is a force of nature and just amazing. She would just present us with the most incredible designs and then we get to talk to her and we can choose and obviously we would speak about the episode and what is going to be needed practically but also what makes us look hot. It’s an important part.”

The Fifteenth Doctor has arrived at Madame Tussauds London

The Fifteenth Doctor has arrived at Madame Tussauds London

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The Doctor wax figurine and the display at Madame Tussauds London

The TARDIS has landed in Madame Tussauds London!

Celebrated Doctor Who Showrunner, Executive Producer and writer Russell T Davies, visited the attraction to unveil the new specially crafted, Doctor Who set, including the figure of Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor, which was created in collaboration with the actor himself.

The new Whoniverse-inspired set comes after the culmination of Gatwa’s first season as the iconic Time Lord, which ended in the epic two-parter finale THE LEGEND OF RUBY SUNDAY and EMPIRE OF DEATH. As fans eagerly await season two, Madame Tussauds London now brings Doctor Who from screen to life with an immersive set, inspired by the Whoniverse and created in partnership with BBC Studios.

Ncuti Gatwa began working with Madame Tussauds London’s artists in July 2023, attending a sitting and collaborating on the figure’s pose and expression. In May this year, Gatwa met with the team again to give his final seal of approval.

Ncuti Gatwa said,

“It’s been amazing to work with Madame Tussauds London’s artists, what incredible artists they all are. I hope when fans see the figure and the set they feel that they are part of the Whoniverse, that everyone is welcome and they can step in to the TARDIS and hop off on an adventure.”

Russell T Davies – who led the 2005 revival before making his grand return for Ncuti Gatwa’s bi-generation as the Fifteenth Doctor – visited the Baker Street attraction to unveil the Whoniverse- inspired set before it launches to eager Whovians.

Madame Tussauds London’s Studio Manager, Jo Kinsey, speaking on the figure’s arrival said,

“It’s been wonderful working with Ncuti Gatwa to bring the Fifteenth Doctor to life at the attraction. Ncuti Gatwa is a Time Lord for modern times, his charisma and flair have brought the world’s longest-running sci-fi show to a new generation and we’re proud to immortalise that with his new figure.

“Having Russell T Davies unveil the new Whoniverse-inspired set was the icing on the cake as we offer fans the chance to step in to their own episode of the legendary series. The Whoniverse is looking very bright, and we’re sure that fans will be lining up to see the Doctor and feel like a fellow companion!”

Known for striking costume changes throughout the season, the Fifteenth Doctor’s figure is styled in one of his signature looks. Created especially for the figure by the show’s wardrobe department, the outfit includes the Fifteenth Doctor’s iconic long leather coat, as well as a hand-knitted top as seen in the first episode of Season One, SPACE BABIES. Attention was also given to the fine details too – such as his jewellery and hand-painted Gallifreyan nail art.

This isn’t Madame Tussauds London’s first encounter with time and space, the attraction featured in Doctor Who’s 1970 SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE: Episode 4 and has created earlier regenerations of the Doctor, beginning with the Fourth Doctor, played by Tom Baker, in 1980.

The Fifteenth Doctor’s figure will be available for Whovians of all generations to meet from Friday 19th July 2024 at Madame Tussauds London’s new Baker Street Studios film and TV zone.

See the Doctor at Madame Tussauds London from 19th July 2024

Ncuti Gatwa is this week’s Radio Times cover star

Ncuti Gatwa is this week’s Radio Times cover star

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1-SE-25-1-CoverNT

Radio Times looks ahead to the thrilling Doctor Who finale in the latest issue.

There has been a great deal written in response to the new series of Doctor Who in recent weeks, some of which you will have read in our Feedback pages. But whether you’re an avid fan or a casual viewer, how the show is received is very important to its future, and to the future of the BBC.

This latest incarnation of Doctor Who is “a canary down the coal mine”. As much as I might wish that the TV world was stuck back in the time when I was hiding behind the sofa, watching on our 19-inch black-and-white Pye TV as Patrick Troughton battled the Ice Warriors, things have moved on.

The BBC brought back Russell T Davies to take the Whoniverse to a new global audience – and also handed over the streaming rights of the show to the Walt Disney Company. This seems to be leading the way for the BBC to create and fund shows that have worldwide appeal, and that keep up with the streaming companies and their megamillion-dollar budgets. While, in the case of Doctor Who, it’s keeping the values and principles of a show that has been part of British culture since 1963.

It’s a gamble, but in terms of the viewing figures and critical response, it’s one that appears to be paying off. Russell T Davies is to be commended for once again making Who more accessible to younger viewers, the people who were always awed and inspired by it from day one.

We talk to Davies in this week’s issue of Radio Times magazine about the two-part finale to a series that has been full of energy and vigour, thanks in no small part to the new Doctor, played by the immensely talented Ncuti Gatwa.

(With thanks to Radio Times)

First Look at Ncuti Gatwa with Varada Sethu and Millie Gibson ahead of Series 15

First Look at Ncuti Gatwa with Varada Sethu and Millie Gibson ahead of Series 15

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Like many Doctors who have come before him, one is not enough for the Fifteenth Doctor and in season two, he will have two companions by his side as Varada Sethu steps aboard the TARDIS.

Varada joins the Whoniverse from a galaxy far, far away after starring in the Disney+ Star Wars series Andor. Now she straps in for another journey through time and space alongside Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor and Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday.

Sethu says:

“I feel like the luckiest person in the world. It is such an honour to be a part of the Whoniverse, and I’m so grateful to the whole Doctor Who family – because that is what they are – for welcoming me with open arms and making me feel so at home. I couldn’t ask for a better team than Ncuti and Millie to be on this adventure with, this is SO much fun!”

Showrunner, executive producer and writer Russell T Davies says:

“I first worked with Varada on a BBC production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and it’s a joy to welcome her on board the TARDIS. Right now in the studio, shooting for 2025, we’ve got Ncuti, Millie and Varada fighting side by side – we need all three, because the stakes are higher than ever!”

Sethu is best known for her standout role as Cinta Kaz in the Disney+ Original series Andor. Her additional credits include Jurassic World Dominion, Annika and Strike Back.

Currently in production Doctor Who series 15 is set to debut in 2025 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ in the U.S. and around the world (where available).