Doctor Who fans, brace yourselves, things aren’t looking too clear for the beloved series right now. Word on the street is that the BBC’s flashy co-production deal with Disney, which kicked off in 2022 with a hefty $100 million price tag, could be wrapping up after just two seasons. And if that happens, it could leave the show’s global streaming dreams hanging by a thread.
Back when the deal was announced, everyone was buzzing with excitement. Disney’s involvement was supposed to turbocharge the show’s budget, shooting it from a modest £1-3 million per episode to around £10 million. Plus, the return of Russell T. Davies as showrunner alongside Ncuti Gatwa stepping into the iconic role of the Fifteenth Doctor had fans hopeful for a fresh golden era. It felt like Doctor Who was gearing up for a big comeback.
But… it hasn’t exactly gone according to plan.
Declining Viewership Threatens Disney’s Investment in Doctor Who
The numbers tell a tough story. Doctor Who once drew huge audiences, with some episodes back in the ’80s pulling in over 13 million viewers. These days, the numbers have dropped sharply. Take Gatwa’s third episode, “Boom”, it pulled in just over 2 million UK viewers overnight, marking a record low for the show’s 60-year history.
Sure, BBC iPlayer’s streaming adds some viewers, but apparently, that’s only about 15% more. The 2023 Christmas special got a decent 4.7 million viewers, and the 60th anniversary specials with David Tennant hovered around 4.8 million. But since then, it’s mostly been downhill, with only one episode, “73 Yards,” briefly pulling in 2.6 million before numbers slipped again.
Looking at the bigger picture, the 18 episodes featuring Gatwa have attracted roughly 68 million viewers total, which is noticeably less than some previous Doctors managed. What’s even more telling is the audience breakdown: younger folks aren’t tuning in. A YouGov poll shows that 40% of 18–24 year-olds and nearly a third of 25–49 year-olds have never watched the show. Meanwhile, older viewers (50–64) still hold the line, with only 15% saying they haven’t seen it. That generational gap is a bit worrying if Doctor Who hopes to stay relevant in the long run.
For Disney, which prefers blockbuster hits like Marvel and Star Wars, these slipping numbers might be enough to make them rethink their investment.
Ncuti Gatwa’s Early Goodbye Adds to the Uncertainty
To make matters more complicated, Ncuti Gatwa announced he’s leaving after just two seasons. Initially, he hinted he’d stick around longer, but in a recent farewell, he got real about the toll the role took on him, physically and emotionally. “My knees are telling me it’s time,” he said, lighthearted but honest.
His stint is now the second shortest in recent Doctor Who history, only Christopher Eccleston’s one-season run was shorter. The BBC hasn’t decided yet if there’ll be a third season with Gatwa, especially with Disney reportedly stepping back from co-producing. Plus, the latest episode threw a curveball with Gatwa’s Doctor regenerating into Billie Piper’s character, a twist no one saw coming and one that muddles the waters about where the show’s headed.
What Happens if Disney Walks Away?
Losing Disney’s financial muscle would sting. Their funding helped pump up production values and made Doctor Who more appealing worldwide. Without that, the BBC might have to tighten its belts, think smaller sets, fewer special effects, and less marketing punch.
That said, Doctor Who is no stranger to challenges. It’s survived cancellations, shaky seasons, and changing fan tastes before. With its loyal fanbase and six decades of history, it could find a way to reinvent itself again. Whether that’s a new showrunner, a fresh Doctor, or a full reboot remains to be seen.
Right now, though, the show’s future feels a bit like one of those cliffhangers, you’re left wondering what’s coming next, hoping it’s something good.
