Doctor Who series hiatus and tender

In late July 2026 former Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall expressed disappointment that the series would be off‑air for an extended period, noting the cancellation of the 2026 Christmas special, the exit of showrunner Russell T Davies, and the BBC’s move to put Doctor Who out to competitive tender.

By early August 2026 Chibnall emphasized that the driver of the tender was a deep‑seated funding shortfall. BBC budget cuts over the past decade, rising production costs and the dominance of large Hollywood conglomerates left the corporation unable to fully fund its drama slate, prompting the termination of existing co‑production deals with Disney and Bad Wolf.

On 4 August 2026 the BBC formally announced the tender, reiterating that the situation is “primarily about money.” Chibnall warned that resolving the franchise’s “knotty problems” will take time, describing the tender process as poorly handled and “hugely disappointing.” No new production partner has been secured, and the series is expected to remain off‑screen at least until 2028.