British Telly

Rumours have been swirling in recent months about the future of Doctor Who beyond the upcoming Series 15. From speculation about the Disney+ deal falling through, to talk of Ncuti Gatwa quitting, and questions around Russell T Davies’ own future with the show. Now, in a new interview with BBC Newsround, Davies has strongly indicated that a “pause” is on the cards.

The segment began with Ncuti Gatwa and new companion Verada Sethu being asked if there was “any news about Series 3”. Gatwa, clearly cautious, responded, “I don’t know anything.”

Then the interview cuts to Davies, and his answer is far more illuminating. Up to now, Davies had maintained that no decisions about the future would be made until Series 15 had concluded. But now, even that cautious optimism seems to have faded.

Davies stated:

“I kind of know that the Doctor’s reached the status of like Robin Hood. Sometimes there might be a pause, and during that pause, the viewers of Newsround now will grow up a few years and start writing stories and they’ll bring it back. So I have absolute faith that that will survive because I am living proof of it and that’s what happens to good ideas. No good idea ever dies.”

This marks the strongest indication yet that a hiatus will follow the next series. Notably, Davies’ remark about today’s viewers “growing up” before reviving the show implies that any potential break may not be brief, but a significant pause that could stretch over several years.