THIRD SERIES OF DOCTOR WHO WITH NCUTI GATWA WAS BEING WRITTEN IN 2024 BEFORE DISNEY+ PULLED OUT OF BBC DEAL AND GATWA QUIT

A third series of Doctor Who under Bad Wolf was being written by showrunner Russell T Davies in 2024 - before Disney informed the BBC they did not intend to renew their partnership deal beyond Season 2, TV Zone understands.

TV Zone has seen crew CVs from employees of Bad Wolf which state that scripts were being written and developed from May to September 2024, following the end of production on Season 2 which had been filming during the first half of that year.

In a 2023 BBC interview, Davies had stated he "knew what was happening" in the third series, which at the time was planned to air this year (2026) - despite Disney's initial contract only being for two series and a third not guaranteed.

Previous reports suggested it was presumed by production that Disney would renew their partnership for the show so were planning future series far in advance of the conventional timetable. TV Zone approached the BBC for comment.

In late 2024, Ncuti Gatwa seemingly confirmed original plans for production to commence on the third series in 2025 - and that he would remain in the lead role. During an interview on The Graham Norton Show, Gatwa said: "We did the second series this year [2024], the Christmas special is coming up, and we are filming a third series next year [2025]". His comments were cut from the episode's final edit.

Following the confirmation that Disney were out, Ncuti Gatwa made the decision to leave the show and forced a re-write to Season 2's original ending. Months after filming wrapped, the cast and crew were back on set to film Gatwa's regeneration. The original ending to Season 2, which featured Carole Ann Ford returning as The Doctor's granddaughter and first companion Susan, remains unseen.

Last October the BBC finally confirmed longstanding rumours that Disney were not renewing its deal with the BBC for future series - therefore would not be involved in the third series. Within the same announcement, the BBC put an end to months of speculation by confirming a Christmas special for 2026 to be penned by Russell T Davies.

It's widely speculated - though has not been confirmed by the BBC and Davies has not addressed the rumours - that the upcoming festive special will be Davies's last in the role as Showrunner. The BBC stated Davies had "agreed" to write the special which will follow on from the events of the Season 2 finale which saw Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor regenerate into former Doctor Who actor Billie Piper.

Speaking of the surprise twist with the return of Piper, Russell T Davies said last year: "Billie once changed the whole of television, back in 2005, and now she’s done it again! It’s an honour and a hoot to welcome her back to the TARDIS, but quite how and why and who is a story yet to be told. After 62 years, the Doctor’s adventures are only just beginning!"

Speaking of her return, Billie said last year: "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."

The BBC say they remain "fully committed to the show" and will announce plans for "the next series" in due course to "ensure the Doctor’s adventures continue".

Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK.