'Doctor Who' Christmas special canceled so BBC can figure out the show's 'long-term future'

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“Doctor Who” is going through another major regeneration.The BBC announced Wednesday that it is not moving forward with a previously announced “Doctor Who” Christmas special.

Last year, the broadcaster teased a “spectacular” special episode written by showrunner Russell T Davies for the 2026 holiday.“After careful consideration, the BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Doctor Who Christmas episode,” the BBC wrote in its latest update.

“This decision was not taken lightly, and we know it will be disappointing for fans, but in order to set the show up for future series, it was decided that rather than bridge the gap with a one off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show which ensures that when the TARDIS lands once more, it does so in all its glory.” Television Executive producers Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner helm Bad Wolf, the production company working with Russell T Davies, Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson on the newer, bigger “Doctor Who.”Whovians know that the Christmas Day specials are a longstanding tradition for the sci-fi series.Previous holiday episodes have marked the first full appearance of David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor in 2005 as well as Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor in 2023.

BBC’s plan now is to “put Doctor Who out to competitive tender” in order to “[secure] the next phase of the show for future generations” — meaning they are inviting potential producers to pitch their ideas for the next era of the long-running series.This also means Davies and producer Bad Wolf are parting ways with the franchise.

“And so GOODBYE from me to Doctor Who but HELLO to a big new future for the show,” Davies wrote in a Wednesday Instagram post, confirming his exit.“You’ll have to wait a bit longer for new Doctor Who… bu...