This is probably the right move - best to have a clear path forward rather than a random vistigial holiday special that's disconnected from everything else.
But good grief, what an absolute shitshow.
this post was submitted on 10 Jun 2026
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You mean another random disconnected holiday special? They always feel so out of place on rewatch
Russel has also posted the following on his Instagram:
And so GOODBYE from me to Doctor Who but HELLO to a big new future for the show, as the BBC announces it’s putting the show out to tender. As a result, there won’t be a Christmas Special - we only cooked that up to guarantee a future when no one knew what would happen, but now we do know, there’s no need for it. You’ll have to wait a bit longer for new Doctor Who… but you’ll be waiting for MORE Doctor Who than a one-off. So it’s worth it! For the record: there was no script, I never wrote it, and no actor was ever approached to play the next Doctor. You may disagree; fine, sit in that chair and wait to be proved right. You’ll wait a lonnng time 🪑 Now I’m as excited as anyone to see what comes next! Will they keep the theme tune? Will they lose the blue box? Will they bring back the Drahvin?! It’s all up for grabs, which is so Doctor Who, exciting and unpredictable and new! Here comes the future, vworp vworp 🌪️ @bbcdoctorwho ♥️
So he is officially out as well. Finally, tender means that they are looking for a new production company. So Bad Wolf are also out
Yup, that's pretty definitive.
Now I’m as excited as anyone to see what comes next! Will they keep the theme tune? Will they lose the blue box? Will they bring back the Drahvin?! It’s all up for grabs, which is so Doctor Who, exciting and unpredictable and new! Here comes the future, vworp vworp
It's a shame it had to end this way, but I think a fresh person at the helm will be a good thing. And as much as I like Steven Moffat, I really hope they can find someone new.
Yeah I agree. As much as I like the 2005-2025-ish era, the show does need a fresh coat of paint. We can't just keep handing it back and forth between RTD, Moffat and Chibnall forever.
Yeah, I think this has all been handled very poorly, but at least something seems to happen. Or the initial preparations to finding someone who will, eventually, make something happen...
I liked Moffat's run, too, but I wouldn't wish this sort of responsibility on him. There is too much opinion and preconception around him in the fandom already, best leave this to somebody with less baggage... and maybe more fresh-faced go power 🚀
Random thought and very much not the pressing issue of the moment, but if RTD and all his crew are out, and the BBC isn't actually producing it, I wonder if that's enough for Christopher Eccleston to come back and do an episode?
Although probably best to lay off the nostalgia for a bit if it's coming back with a whole new crew at some point.
Eccleston recently added a new criterion for him to return: having a young, female showrunner. Dunno if all his demands need to come true though, he got his rider from a couple years ago fulfilled today 🙂
I have to say, I was dreading what Davies might have pulled out of a dark cavity for that special. His recent track record hasn't been great, so this is good news in that sense. I'm still amazed that this is where we're at a year out from the last season finale, rather than as soon as Disney officially let the show go.
I get the impression there has been no talk whatsoever with potential production partners in the intervening year. HBO let slip recently that there had been no communication concerning ... how was it again, "an important part of the BBC"? But all things considered, glad they're finally moving ahead toward a new direction.
As an aside, any new seasons may be a couple of years out, but as a substitute I've spent the day browsing online fan communities in complete meltdown over baseless conjecture that the show is somehow cancelled. Bring on the popcorn!