England’s iconic blue police telephone box is heading to Disney+. BBC and Disney Branded Television have come together to transform Doctor Who into a global franchise by delivering this quintessentially British show to a whole new audience. Disney+ will become the exclusive home for new seasons of Doctor Who outside the U.K. and Ireland. The announcement also comes with a new Doctor Who logo.
Both partners have aligned under returning showrunner Russell T Davies’ bold vision, who takes control of the TARDIS in 2023. He was responsible for Doctor Who‘s revival in 2005, propelling the show into one of TV’s biggest hits.
New episodes will premiere on the BBC and Disney+ beginning in late 2023 to coincide with the show’s 60th anniversary. David Tennant (who played the 10th doctor) will play the 14th doctor for three specials, before Ncuti Gatwa takes over the role as the 15th doctor. Bad Wolf with BBC Studios Production will produce the upcoming season in Wales.
Davies said, “I love this show, and this is the best of both worlds – with the vision and joy of the BBC and Disney+ together we can launch the TARDIS all around the planet, reaching a new generation of fans while keeping our traditional home firmly on the BBC in the U.K.”
“We are thrilled to announce this exciting global partnership with Disney who are the perfect partners to bring this very British show to the rest of the world,” said BBC chief content officer Charlotte Moore. “Russell T Davies’ vision for Doctor Who has always been out of this world and we are committed to ensuring that audiences across the globe get the opportunity to enjoy the Doctor’s epic adventures with the scale and ambition that they deserve. Joining forces with Disney will elevate the show to even greater heights and reach new audiences so it’s an extremely exciting time for fans in the U.K. and across the world.”
Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis stated, “Doctor Who has captivated the imaginations of families around the world for the past six decades. We are so excited about this collaboration with the BBC, and the opportunity to bring this iconic franchise – and Russell T Davies’ brilliant vision – to life for a huge new global audience. Grab your sonic screwdrivers and prepare to travel through time and space!”
