Doctor Who’s Former Showrunner Reacted To His Era Getting Referenced In Newer Seasons, And It Has Me In My Feels

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Doctor Who won’t be back on TV until later in 2026, following this year’s Christmas special. This break gives everyone connected to the show – both old and new – a chance to reflect on its journey. We recently heard from Chris Chibnall, a former head writer, and his comments about the new seasons referencing his earlier work were really touching.

Even though some Doctor Who fans didn’t like the storylines featuring The Timeless Child and Flux, Russell T. Davies decided to build upon them instead of ignoring them. In addition, Jodie Whittaker returned as The Doctor for Ncuti Gatwa’s debut, marking another appearance by the first female Doctor. Chris Chibnall told Radio Times he was pleased that his previous work was acknowledged in the new series and shared his thoughts on why.

You don’t really recognize your part in something while you’re actively working on it, because it feels like a normal task you’re handling. But then when you get feedback, or hear someone mention Karvinista or Flux, or even see Jodie mentioned, it suddenly hits you – ‘Wow, that actually happened!’

It’s great to hear Chris Chibnall feeling positive, especially considering the criticism his seasons of Doctor Who faced. While some of his ideas weren’t popular at first, they now seem like valuable material for future stories. Plus, looking back, does it even matter that the Doctor can now regenerate endlessly?

The previous showrunner explained he asked Russell T. Davies to keep him in the dark about future storylines and couldn’t share anything about what’s next for Billie Piper’s character. However, he did express how special it felt to see his work become a lasting part of Doctor Who’s history.

It’s a really unique experience – there’s nothing quite like it. It’s both wonderful and unexpected. When I build on ideas from past episodes, it feels like carefully adding to something already established, and I’m always aware of those connections – like referencing ‘The Deadly Assassin’ or ‘The Brain of Morbius’. But when someone else does that with my work, it’s a genuinely pleasant surprise.

Chris Chibnall’s encouraging words are bringing cheer to fans in the US as they wait to find out when they’ll be able to watch The War Between the Land and the Sea on Disney+. Even though Disney+ is no longer partnering with the BBC, the show will still be available to stream sometime next year.

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What’s next for the show’s main storyline is still largely unknown. We probably won’t find out why The Doctor changed into one of their past friends until at least Christmas, unless someone involved with the show reveals information beforehand.

This year, we’ll see if the BBC can find another partner to help fund Doctor Who. Sharing the costs with Disney allowed for a bigger budget, and without another co-producer, the show might have to scale back. It’s unclear how fans will react to a less lavish return. While I worry about the show losing its visual impact after experiencing the higher-budget episodes, I still appreciate the charm of the classic series and am willing to give it a chance.

Disney+ offers a wide range of popular content, including Marvel, Star Wars, and new episodes of Doctor Who. You can start streaming with ads for as little as $11.99 per month. For an ad-free experience, it’s $18.99 monthly, or you can save 16% by paying $189.99 annually. See the deal here.

As we previously reported, Doctor Who is planning a Christmas special in late 2026. We also expect to learn when the next full season will air around that time. Keep checking back with TopMob for the latest news and interviews, and we’ll be sure to share any positive developments as they happen.

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2026-01-08 03:08