Well, that’s it folks. Ncuti Gatwa’s stint as everyone’s favourite time-travelling alien in Doctor Who has apparently been cut short.
According to a report from The Sun, Gatwa’s tenure as the Doctor will end after just two series, with the BBC giving the show a bit of a “rest” while they figure out what to do next.
And if you were hoping for a dramatic regeneration scene, don’t hold your breath — word is, we might not even get to see who the Doctor turns into next.
Gatwa, who took over from David Tennant in 2023, was supposed to be the fresh face to bring Doctor Who back to its glory days. But instead of a ratings boost, the show copped a bit of a nosedive, with UK viewing figures reportedly dropping to 1.6 million per episode, a far cry from the ten million who tuned in for Tennant and Matt Smith’s runs, perThe Sun.
If things weren’t already a bit wobbly, Gatwa pulled out of announcing the UK’s jury scores at Eurovision last week, which, according to The Sun, left BBC bosses “incredibly disappointed”.
Ncuti ditched the gig 48 hours before he was meant to get on stage. Although the BBC cited “unforeseen circumstances” as the reason for the switch up, many publications have speculated that the decision was due to Israel’s involvement in the competition. BBC announced the news two minutes after Israel qualified for the grand final. Ncuti has been outspoken in his support of Palestinian people.
Apparently, that was the final nail in the TARDIS-shaped coffin for his time as the Doctor.
A TV insider told The Sun that it’s “unlikely we will see who Ncuti regenerates into as the Beeb will keep options open. And if they do rest the show for years, it makes it virtually impossible to cast someone now”.
Of course, the BBC isn’t exactly confirming any of this. A BBC spokesperson said: “As we have previously stated, the decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs and any other claims are just pure speculation. The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes — and we still have an entire spin off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, to air. And as for the rest, we never comment on The Doctor and future storylines,” per The Sun.
Not everyone is convinced by the news though. Users on X claim that Ncuti filmed a regeneration scene months ago and left on his own accord, but again, neither the BBC or Nguti have said anything about the lay off news.
With the second series wrapping up on May 31 and no clear replacement in sight, it looks like the TARDIS might be parked for a while.
Lead image: Disney+
