Doctor Who Is Moving To….Disney+?

For those who missed this weekend’s final Jodie Whittaker episode of Doctor Who, you only need to know two things: One, it was a total mess, and Two, the episode ended with Whittaker regenerating into…David Tennant, the Tenth Doctor. Again.

Weren’t we promised a completely different Doctor (and a Black one this time)? What gives? For the answers we’re going to have to wait an entire year until Doc Who returns with three TV specials in November 2023. Here’s the twist, though — they won’t appear on BBC America. England’s most popular and longest-running sci-fi series is instead moving to Disney+, and new episodes will be exclusive to that streamer. This development robs BBC America of its main purpose for existing, though every other cable channel could say “join the club.”

Disney did not outright buy Doctor Who (though it would be in character for them). They purchased exclusive rights for everyplace in the world except the UK and Ireland (where it will remain on BBC). Those fearing content edits have nothing to worry about as Doctor Who isn’t exactly a profane series.

But back to the second most surprising development….is Tennant going for a second run? Not exactly. BBC says he will be the Doctor again for the three specials, and then Ncuti Gatwa will take the role in the next proper season. Catherine Tate, who played the Tenth Doctor’s companion, will be returning as well. Tennant is no stranger to Disney, of course — he was declared the new Scrooge McDuck after the death of Alan Young, and has voiced the character in all appearances since. But this is kind of unrelated to that.

Doctor Who already had a streaming deal, albeit a non-exclusive one, with HBO Max…but that was unlikely to be renewed anyway as HBO Max is in a self-inflicted tailspin. For now, all Modern Era episodes of Who can be viewed there.

It's almost time for #DoctorWho's next regeneration! Coming in 2023 to #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/5jeZrvRhg8

— Disney+ (@DisneyPlus) October 25, 2022