Doctor Who's future is in flux. After Disney, will HBO be the next streaming partner? Get the latest on the 2026 Christmas special and the changing Whoniverse.
- March 31, 2026
AceShowbiz - Doctor Who is set to return with a Christmas special in 2026, yet uncertainty continues to hover within the Whoniverse. After a turbulent few years under the guidance of returning showrunner Russell T. Davies, the series has experienced significant changes, including the early conclusion of Ncuti Gatwa's tenure as the iconic Time Lord and the end of its partnership with Disney, referred to as the House of Mouse. Ahead of the upcoming return, expectations are that the franchise will seek a new international streaming partner.
In late February, Lindsay Salt, director of BBC drama, hinted at the possibility of a collaboration between the BBC and HBO. This speculation emerged amid the announcement of new projects featuring breakout stars such as Richard Gadd, known for Baby Reindeer, and Michaela Coel, famed for I May Destroy You. Salt commented in an interview, "We'll wait and see how we figure it out. HBO have been great partners creatively. There's a lot of stuff that is changing out there." She also suggested that future plans for the franchise might involve working with a smaller budget compared to its time under Disney's stewardship.
Responding to these rumors, HBO's chief Casey Bloys stated in an interview, "It has not been presented to us," when asked about acquiring Doctor Who. Despite this denial, Bloys left the door slightly open, adding, "As with anything, I would say 'Never say never' - it's just not something that I know about."
The current season of Doctor Who remains available on Disney+, as fans eagerly await the announcements regarding its streaming future.
