Latest news with #FifteenthDoctor
Daily Mirror
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ncuti Gatwa shares reason for quitting Doctor Who after just two years
Ncuti Gatwa has opened up about his decision to walk away from playing Doctor Who - having lasted just two seasons in the high profile role and after ratings bombed Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa has insisted he quit his role as the Time Lord as he feels too old to keep playing the part. At 32, the Rwandan-Scottish actor is on the younger side of some of the stars who have played The Doctor. Christopher Eccleston was 41 when he took on the role in 2005, David Tennant was 34 when he took the part later that same year, and Peter Capaldi was 55 when he took over the role in 2013. Ncuti lasted just two seasons in the role, taking on the part of the Fifteenth Doctor in 2023 only to bow out in June this year in a shock twist. Fans were stunned to see him regenerate at the end of an episode, as his departure had not been previously announced. And jaws dropped even more when Billie Piper, who played Rose Tyler on the show on and off from 2005 until 2010, emerged in his place instead. But speaking to the BBC 's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme this weekend, Ncuti claimed his tired old early 30s body meant it was time for him to walk away from the Tardis. He told the political journalist: 'I'm getting old, and my body was tired… and I've now just started doing some ballet, so I'm making really great decisions. 'It's the most amazing job in the world, a job that any actor would dream of and – because it's so good – it's strenuous. It takes a lot out of you, physically, emotionally, mentally, and so it was time.' Asked if he would ever return to the show, he teased: 'Never say never.' Fans were shocked when Ncuti departed the series this year. The show had attracted fierce criticism over politically charged storylines, and ratings had tanked since the actor took over the role. The BBC had signed a lucrative deal with Disney to co-fund the long-running series, only for viewers to switch off despite the cash injection. After his shock exit, Ncuti issued a statement declaring his love for the franchise. He said in June: 'You know when you get cast, at some point, you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it. 'This journey has been one that I will never forget and a role that will be part of me forever. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe. 'The fans are truly the final character and beating heart of this show and I can't thank the Whoniverse, and the Whovians, enough for welcoming me in, and making this such a touching experience. 'I've loved every minute of it, but now is the time to hand over the keys to that beloved blue box and let someone else take control and enjoy it every bit as much as I have. I'll truly miss it, and forever be grateful to it, and everyone that has played a part in my journey as the Doctor.' Meanwhile, Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies, said: 'What a Doctor! Thank you, Ncuti! As his final words say, this has been an absolute joy, and the team in Cardiff and everyone who has worked on this show for the past few years, are so lucky to have been part of Ncuti's great adventure as he shoots off to stratospheric new heights. 'Billie once changed the whole of television, back in 2005, and now she's done it again! It's an honour and a hoot to welcome her back to the Tardis, but quite how and why and who is a story yet to be told. After 62 years, the Doctor's adventures are only just beginning!' It is unclear if or when Doctor Who will return following the disastrous most recent run of episodes. Fans fear the series could be axed completely after new episodes underperformed - while some rumours have suggested the show could be put on ice until 2027.
Gizmodo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
‘Doctor Who' Will Keep the Fifteenth Doctor Alive with New Comics
While BBC determines what to do with Doctor Who after its latest season, the comics are hoping to give you more Fifteenth Doctor adventures. The upcoming Prison Paradox miniseries comes courtesy of returning Who comics writer Dan Watters and artist Sami Kivelä (Abbott). Waters previously wrote the 2024 miniseries starring the Fifteenth Doctor, and in this new tale, he's putting Fifteen and Belinda Chandra on an 'unlikely team of allies' looking to infiltrate an alien prison holding 'monsters and villains from across the cosmos.' It's Fifteen's latest miniseries to be announced following Editor Jonathan Wilkins teased Paradox as Titan's 'most ambitious yet,' and promised 'an incredible adventure featuring some familiar faces and some exciting new characters making their debut in the Whoniverse.' Interestingly, a pair of dossiers for the Doctor and Belinda from the unnamed prison warden mention 'a planet known as 'Earth' and have no idea where it is. In last season's finale, the Rani succeeded in vanishing Earth out of reality and trapping it in a time loop. Paradox seems to be set between the planet's disappearance and eventual restoration later in the episode, which lets it do something Doctor Who fans wanted from that past season: give them more time with Fifteen and Bel. Even before his latest, confusing transformation, a common criticism was how little time Ncuti Gatwa got compared to his predecessors, ditto Varada Sethu as his latest companion. The two may be gone from screens for the immediate future, but at least comics and eventual books can help make up the difference as the show sorts itself out. Doctor Who: The Prison Paradox will begin its four-issue run later this year. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Corrie icon addresses speculation she'll play the Doctor in Doctor Who spin-off
The Whoniverse is set to expand with an animated Doctor Who series on CBeebies in the future and Loose Women's Denise Welch has addressed speculation that she could be involved A former soap star has addressed speculation that she's being considered to voice the title role in a Doctor Who spin-off. The upcoming project is in development at the moment but no casting has been unveiled for it yet. It was announced recently that there are plans to launch a pre-school animation series about the Doctor on CBeebies. The BBC said that the Doctor Who spin-off for a younger audience will "run independently" from the main show. There's been speculation about the project, with a thread on Reddit last week naming actors who could voice the Doctor. It claimed that the broadcaster's shortlist includes Justin Fletcher, Richard E. Grant and Denise Welch. Denise, 67 - whose acting career has included roles on shows like Coronation Street and Waterloo Road - has since addressed the speculation. She reacted to being named in the thread in a post on Instagram this afternoon. Alongside a photo showing part of the thread, she wrote in the post: "I definitely think this job should be mine." Denise, who tagged Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies, 62, then used two thumbs up and the 'flushed face' emoji. Although they don't appear to have previously worked together, Denise and Russell are both patrons of the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. They both took on the role in 2019, joining Tracie Bennett, who became a patron in 2016. Loose Women panelist Denise has appeared in numerous TV shows over the course of her career, including having played Natalie Barnes on Corrie. Her other credits include Waterloo Road, Benidorm and more recently Hollyoaks. The BBC announced the CBeebies spin-off of Doctor Who on June 12. It shared that the animated show will see the Doctor travelling through time and space, solving mysteries and problems alongside companions and other friends. In a statement issued at the time, Patricia Hidalgo, Director of Children's and Education, said: "Everyone is welcome at CBeebies, including the Doctor!" Patricia went on to describe the upcoming series as an "exciting opportunity". Patricia said: "This much-loved franchise entertains millions around the world, so it is only right that our younger audience get to experience the wonder and the magic of the Doctor in a brand new format. This is an extremely exciting opportunity, and we are looking forward to welcoming companies to pitch for this new project, as we continue our commitment and investment in the UK's animation industry." The news comes just weeks after the latest series of Doctor Who concluded last month. The season finale, the Reality War, which aired on May 31, marked the departure of lead Ncuti Gatwa, who had played the Doctor since 2023. At the end of the episode, viewers saw Ncuti's Fifteenth Doctor regenerate - with Billie Piper then shown in his place - in a bid to save Poppy (played by Sienna-Robyn Mavanga-Phipps). In one reality, Poppy was the child of the Doctor and his companion Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu).
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Will Doctor Who get another season? Showrunner admits he isn't sure
Doctor Who is among BBC's longest-running series, starting all the way back in 1963. After an extended hiatus that lasted throughout the '90s, the series was relaunched to great success in 2005, and has been going strong ever since. However, the series has endured a slump in recent years, to the point that even the current showrunner is uncertain about where the show will go moving forward. In his regular column for the Doctor Who Magazine, showrunner Russell T Davies admitted that plans for continuing the series are still in flux, writing: "We don't know what's happening yet. and while everyone works that out, I'll take a pause on this page... Hopefully, we'll have news soon." Davies had previously revealed that the recent episodes of Doctor Who had been cofinanced by Disney, and that he had hopes to produce the series on an annual basis. This pause in the series production was further corroborated in a report from Deadline, where a source embedded in the production stated: 'This letter is a production notes diary for when the show is in production, or on air, and as Russell has stated within the piece, it is a pause.' The Fifteenth Doctor's tenure ends with rampant speculation The Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, ended his two-season run on 31st May, with 'The Reality War' concluding his story arc and ending with his regeneration. Following his exit, the episode ended with a cliffhanger appearance by Billie Piper, who's previously played the role of companion Rose Tyler on the show. The ambiguity surrounding the reveal has fueled heavy fan theorizing about whether or not Billie Piper will indeed take over as the new Doctor, something that the show's own marketing learned into while promoting the next Doctor Who Magazine. Billie Piper is... this month's #DoctorWho Magazine cover star!Get an inside look at the revelations of the Doctor Who: Season 2 finale - Subscribe and get each issue delivered direct to your door ➡️ While Billie Piper taking over as the Sixteenth Doctor would be an obvious conclusion to draw from 'The Reality War' episode's ending, a number of decisions both within the episode, and the show's past history, muddy the waters a bit. For instance, the episode credits call both Ncuti Gatwa and Jodie Whittaker the Doctor, but not Billie Piper herself. Furthermore, the series has broken from its conventional regeneration process in the past, notably with the Fifteenth Doctor Himself, who originally coexisted with David Tennant's Fourteenth Doctor thanks to the plot device of bigeneration. Most importantly, however, the recent production struggles and impending hiatus of the series mean that no production plans are set in stone as of yet, so there's no telling what form Doctor Who will take when it finally makes a return.
Wales Online
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Doctor Who animated series coming to CBeebies
Doctor Who animated series coming to CBeebies The TARDIS will be landing on the pre-school channel The BBC has announced a new Doctor Who animation for CBeebies. The TARDIS will be landing on the pre-school channel and the BBC is searching for a production company to create and produce the series, which will run independently from the main television series, which is overseen by showrunner Russell T. Davies. Patricia Hidalgo, Director of Children's and Education, said: "Everyone is welcome at CBeebies, including the Doctor! "This much-loved franchise entertains millions around the world, so it is only right that our younger audience get to experience the wonder and the magic of the Doctor in a brand new format. "This is an extremely exciting opportunity, and we are looking forward to welcoming companies to pitch for this new project, as we continue our commitment and investment in the UK's animation industry." The Doctor Who animated series will run for 26 episodes across 2027 and 2028 and a further 26 episodes across 2028 and 2029. Article continues below The pitch for the animated series states that "the BBC is looking for a passionate production company to create and produce the series, which will run independently from the main show, that will see the Doctor travelling through time and space for the pre-school audience, solving mysteries and problems alongside their companions and other friends. And, of course, they may come up against one or two challenges on their way...". The deadline for initial submissions is 10 July 2025. The announcement of the new CBeebies animated series comes after Ncuti Gatwa left his role as the Fifteenth Doctor in the finale of the most recent series titled The Reality War. Viewers saw Ncuti's Time Lord regenerate into Billie Piper, who played companion Rose Tyler in Doctor Who for several years. It is not yet known if Billie is the Sixteenth Doctor or Rose or a different character. Following the surprise regeneration, Russell said: "What a Doctor! Thank you, Ncuti! As his final words say, this has been an absolute joy, and the team in Cardiff and everyone who has worked on this show for the past few years are so lucky to have been part of Ncuti's great adventure as he shoots off to stratospheric new heights." Article continues below On her shock return, Billie said: "It's no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn't refuse, but who, how, why and when, you'll just have to wait and see."
