Doctor Who will soon find its new global home on Disney+ and the news revealed today will certainly excite fans of the sci-fi hit show, with promise of more festive editions of the show and more regular seasons too.

A Return To Tradition

It was revealed today that the show will return to releasing annual Christmas specials, beginning in 2023. The first returning Christmas special will be Ncuti Gatwa’s first solo outing as The Fifteenth Doctor, alongside new companion Ruby Sunday (played by Coronation Street‘s Millie Gibson). Showrunner Russell T Davies also confirmed he’s currently working on a script for the show’s 2024 Christmas Special.

Christmas Specials have been an integral part of the show’s identity since its revival in 2005, however, were given the can when departing showrunner Chris Chibnall took over the reigns from Steven Moffatt following Christmas Day 2017’s special. New Year’s Day specials followed from 2019 to 2022, however, were nowhere near as iconic as previous specials.

8 is a Lucky Number

Production recently began on the show’s next season and fans can expect the show on their screens during 2024. Whilst past seasons featured around 10-13 episodes, Season 14 of Doctor Who will feature 8 episodes. Additionally, gap years between seasons have been confirmed to no longer be a threat to the show’s audience.

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Davies also acknowledged the wait before next year’s 60th Anniversary. Assuring fans that it would be worth it bysaying: “It takes a while to get the empire in shape. But that’s a serious plan: annual Doctor Who, no gap years, lots of content, on and on.”

Potential for Doctor Who Spin-Offs

“Lots of content” could infer that there is more than just the main Doctor Who show on the way. Following reports that the show is benefitting from a huge budget increase, the series could receive new spin-off shows. Allowing Doctor Who to possibly rival the Marvel and Star Wars universes.

Fans have longed for more spin-offs, after the last one Class was cancelled after only one season in 2016. The appearance of Paul McGann’s Eighth Doctor in the 2022 special “The Power of the Doctor” sparked discussion about a continuation with the actor possibly returning to the TARDIS for more adventures. Another recent rumour predicts a spin-off featuring the Doctor’s greatest foes may have been greenlit too.

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New episodes of Doctor Who will premiere on the BBC and Disney+ beginning in late 2023. The show will be produced in Wales by Bad Wolf with BBC Studios Production.