The BBC has confirmed that Doctor Who will return to screens in December 2026 with a brand-new festive special written by Russell T Davies.
The announcement comes as Disney+ ends its partnership with the hit sci-fi series, meaning the BBC will once again take full creative control of the Doctor's adventures.
BBC confirms Doctor Who future after Disney+ split
Disney+ has been the show's global streaming partner for the past two seasons.
The collaboration will not continue beyond The War Between the Land and the Sea, which airs later this year.
More articles
Despite the streaming shake-up, BBC bosses insist Doctor Who's future is bright.
Lindsay Salt, Director of Drama at the BBC, said: "We'd like to thank Disney+ for being terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons, and for the upcoming The War Between the Land and the Sea.
"We can assure fans, the Doctor is not going anywhere, and we will be announcing plans for the next series in due course which will ensure the TARDIS remains at the heart of the BBC."
What's next for Doctor Who?
Before the 2026 Christmas special lands, Whovians still have plenty to look forward to.
This year will see the highly anticipated Doctor Who: The War Between the Land and the Sea air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
In addition, a brand-new animated series aimed at younger fans is currently in development for CBeebies.
The upcoming Christmas episode will be produced by Bad Wolf in partnership with BBC Studios.
It marks another milestone in the long-running franchise's storied history.
Read more: Celebrity MasterChef 2025 full line-up and BBC hosts revealed after John Torode sacking
Want to get sent the hottest TV news and celebrity gossip? You can now follow Entertainment Online UK on WhatsApp
