Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies suggests that the next installment of the series after season 15 might be several years away. Doctor Who season 15 is set to premiere this weekend on Saturday, April 12, and will continue weekly through May 31. The current season stars Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, who will be joined by new companion Belinda (Varada Sethu), while Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) is expected to return later following her split with the Time Lord at the end of season 14.
Speaking with Newsround (via RadioTimes.com), Davies hinted at a hiatus between season 15 and the following season of Doctor Who. The showrunner mentioned that “sometimes there might be a pause” in the series, even saying that viewers might “grow up a few years” during that pause. But he still has “absolute faith that it will survive.” Check out the full quote from Davies below:
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 it will survive because I am living proof of it and that’s what happens to good ideas. No good idea ever dies.
What This Means For Doctor Who
The Series Has Had Gaps Before
Doctor Who seasons 14 and 15 came in back-to-back years, so taking an extended break would be a shift. In fact, the two most recent seasons are sometimes billed as seasons 1 and 2 to indicate the series’ new era. Doctor Who season 13 ended in 2021, creating a nearly three-year gap between two full, proper seasons of the show. There were specials released in the meantime, but audiences had to wait a while before getting a longer-form story.
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Davies does not specify how long this potential Doctor Who hiatus would be, but the precedent set by the previous gap indicates that the caesura could be extended to two years or longer. This could also have potential implications for Gatwa’s tenure on the series. While the actor is in two seasons of the hit show, he has not been confirmed for a third season. While a replacement Doctor has yet to be announced, the hiatus could be a potential indicator that Gatwa will only be here for two seasons.
Our Take On The Doctor Who News
Taking A Break Is A Dicey Move
Taking an extended break could be a big risk for Doctor Who. The gap between seasons 13 and 14 allowed Davies to come back to the series and reinvigorate the show. This effort has not been entirely successful, however, as audiences generally disliked season 14, which is evidenced by the 29% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes. Also, due to the lack of updates regarding the show’s future after season 15, there have been rumors about the sci-fi series getting a potential ax. With a show that is already losing some of its main support, taking time away could be a detriment to its momentum.
Source: Newsround (via RadioTimes.com)