The Doctor Who Drama Is Bigger on the Inside

In the final episode of “Doctor Who,” another incarnation of the Doctor said goodbye to time and dimensions. After saving the world from what some viewers considered an unusual form of societal structure (and then leaving his companion with a baby in an ending deemed questionable by some fans), Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor transformed into… Billie Piper? It’s worth noting that showrunner Russell T. Davies has a special connection to “Doctor Who” through Billie Piper’s character, Rose Tyler, who once assumed the role of the Bad Wolf. However, fans are left wondering if he will actually make her the Doctor. Gatwa is departing the series before he even had a chance to confront the Daleks, and we’re unsure when these developments will be clarified. Let’s examine the shaky foundation on which the TARDIS currently rests.

What happened in the finale?

Following the defeat of the main antagonist, the Doctor managed to extract Belinda and their miraculously created child, Poppy, from the mysterious Zero Room. However, the act of saving the day led to the unintended consequence of erasing Poppy from existence due to her being a wish-child. In a selfless move (perhaps heroic), the Doctor decided to relinquish his Fifteenth incarnation to restore Poppy back to life, leaving Belinda to raise her on her own. The Doctor then retreated to the TARDIS for regeneration. Suddenly, everyone’s beloved scallywag, Rose Tyler, appeared in his place with a cheerful greeting, “Oh, hello!” before the screen went black.

Why are people freaking out?

Ah, there are numerous factors at play here. To begin, let’s discuss Belinda’s departure, and then we can move on to the intriguing return of Rose.

In simpler terms, Belinda (Varada Sethu) was portrayed as a woman who had suffered at the hands of a harmful man, only this time, it took place in space. She made quite a fuss about resuming her life at the point she left it, with the intention of moving forward. However, some viewers believe that the Doctor altered reality so that Belinda was primarily returning for Poppy. This modification of the narrative led to speculation that the Doctor may have also changed Belinda’s fundamental motivations and personality. They argue that when she met the Doctor, she was trying to break free from toxic masculinity, but instead found herself given a child without adequate consent or control over the situation.

After that, we have the character of Rose, who was introduced by Davies during his first run on Doctor Who. Some viewers labeled her as a Mary Sue – a flawless character who made the Doctor fall for her and could even open the TARDIS. Given that Rose has already made several comebacks, one might wonder if she’s necessary again. However, ratings in the U.K. have reportedly declined substantially since the Disney era started, and reintroducing familiar characters has been an effective method to increase viewership. In 2023, Davies brought back David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble for extra nostalgia factors in the 60th-anniversary specials. While Billie Piper’s return seems more catered towards fans, it appears that most viewers aren’t particularly enthused about it.

But is she really the Doctor?

It’s unclear whether Billie Piper will reprise her roles as the 16th Doctor, Rose Tyler, or an entirely new character in the show. The credits for the finale simply mention that “Billie Piper” is joining the cast without specifying a role, which appears to be deliberately cryptic. In a BBC press release, showrunner Russell Davies said, “Back in 2005, Billie revolutionized television, and now she’s done it again! It’s a pleasure and a delight to have her back on the TARDIS. However, the details of how, why, and as what remain to be revealed. After 62 years, the Doctor’s adventures are just getting started!

Rose once ventured into the TARDIS core in the early 2000s, an act that saved the universe but nearly cost her life and fragmented her identity across time and space. The Ninth Doctor had to take in the TARDIS energy (symbolized by a kiss), which ultimately led to his demise, only to be revived later. It’s worth noting that Rose shares a strong bond with the TARDIS, and when the Fourteenth Doctor regenerated into the console of the TARDIS, some temporal anomalies might have occurred. However, whether anything time-twisting happened or not remains uncertain. We can only wait and find out. And about this waiting…

Where does Disney+ stand with Doctor Who?

Disney hasn’t renewed its partnership with BBC on Doctor Who at this time. There’s no Christmas special planned, as the showrunner confirmed it wasn’t part of the most recent season. As Davies stated in Doctor Who Magazine, the decision to commission Season 3 will only be made after Season 2 airs, which has been the plan since the beginning. However, Davies mentioned last year that he had already written scripts for a third season, according to Radio Times.

On the other hand, the Disney+ series centered around UNIT is moving forward as anticipated – set to arrive “soon” as indicated by a trailer released on May 31. This news certainly brings a sense of relief.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=8x5YEIovqYs

What would happen if Disney didn’t renew?

It appears rather improbable that the BBC would let go of their beloved character, given that the series’ revival has transformed it into a lucrative merchandise venture (he is the Doctor, not Mr. Blobby). If the show were to revert to being solely produced in the U.K., the production quality might suffer due to budget constraints. However, this could also lead to an extended break while the organization readjusts its resources; according to The Mirror, there have been reports since last October suggesting that Doctor Who may not return until 2027.

Do we suspect behind-the-scenes shenanigans?

In May, it was clarified by the BBC that Gatwa hadn’t been dismissed from the show, dismissing rumors as entirely false. However, his tenure as The Doctor seemed brief to many viewers. Despite his departure being reportedly voluntary, fans have mused that he initially anticipated staying on longer. Some fans even brought up a 2024 interview with Entertainment Weekly where Gatwa expressed frustration if he didn’t get to confront one of the show’s recurring villains, the Daleks. He stated, “By the time I finish with Doctor Who, I better have encountered a Dalek! What’s the point of being The Doctor without facing a Dalek?” Unfortunately, Gatwa did not encounter a Dalek during his stint as The Doctor.

In an earlier conversation on “The Graham Norton Show,” Gatwa hinted at filming the third season of Fifteen this year. However, when the interview aired in October, the segment about a third season was omitted. At the time, Deadline reported that the BBC had no involvement in this edit. Yet, a representative for the BBC stated later that they hadn’t finalized their decision on a third season: “As we’ve mentioned before, our decision regarding season three will be made after season two is broadcast, and as usual, we don’t comment on speculation.

It’s been mentioned that fans are focusing on reshoots that supposedly occurred in February. They’re guessing that fresh footage of the finale’s conclusion might have been recorded due to Gatwa’s departure. Interestingly, a sneak peek of the finale uploaded to Disney+ in Germany seems to depict Belinda and the Doctor enjoying a night out at a club. However, this scene didn’t appear in the episode, which adds fuel to the theory that Belinda might have been present at the club.

What are the Doctor(s) saying about all this?

Jodie Whittaker clarified that her departure from the Doctor role wasn’t an impulsive decision. She stated in a backstage video that playing this character for multiple seasons requires a significant physical, emotional, and mental investment due to its demanding nature. As human actors, we are limited by our mortality, and although she wishes she could continue playing the Doctor full-time, her body isn’t cooperating anymore. In a BBC press statement, she expressed gratitude towards fans for embracing her as the Doctor, a role she cherished and will deeply miss. “You eventually realize that you must return the sonic screwdriver, and this adventure will conclude,” she said. “This journey has been extraordinary, and the Doctor role will remain a part of me eternally.

Truth be told, I can’t reveal exactly when it’ll happen, but let me assure you that I’m thrilled to announce my upcoming return to the magical world of Doctor Who! As a passionate fan myself, I’ve always cherished my time in the Whoniverse. It holds some of my most treasured memories, so the chance to revisit that TARDIS was an offer I simply couldn’t turn down. So, while we wait for more details about the how, why, and when, all I can say is, stay tuned!

2025-06-05 22:54