It’s been over five months since Doctor Who spinoff series The War Between the Land and the Sea hit television screens, created by Russell T Davies and starring Russell Tovey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jemma Redgrave and Colin McFarlane.
But one person that didn’t appear in the five part miniseries features characters from the franchaise was the Doctor himself - last seen when Scottish-Rwandan actor Ncuti Gatwa bowed out of the role last May.
The BBC had previously said that Doctor Who would be back in a new 2026 Christmas special, again being written by Russell T Davies.
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But that’s now been scrapped, with the programme “put out to competitive tender” as producers look for somebody to take over from Davies, who is now no longer involved in the franchaise.
A BBC spokesperson explained: “After careful consideration, the BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead with the previously announced Doctor Who Christmas episode. This decision was not taken lightly, and we know it will be disappointing for fans, but in order to set the show up for future series, it was decided that rather than bridge the gap with a one off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show which ensures that when the TARDIS lands once more, it does so in all its glory.”
It comes after the BBC parted ways with Disney+, who have shown the last two series outside the UK.
But with the broadcaster seemingly still ‘committed’ to a new series - and with a new Doctor Who animation series already in production for CBeebies - there is now plenty of speculation as to who will (eventually) replace Gatwa - who transformed into a very familiar face at the end of his last episode.
Here are the 11 favourites to take over the Tardis, according to the experts at gambling.com.
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1. Aidan Turner - 13/8
Aidan Turner is now the 13/8 favourite to become the new Doctor. He's currently starring in Disney+ hit TV series 'Rivals' opposite tenth (and fourteenth) Doctor David Tennant - so will be able to get plenty of advice on the role. | AFP via Getty Images
2. Michael Sheen - 7/4
David Tennant's Good Omens co-star Michael Sheen is also tipped to helm the TARDIS. He's the 7/4 second favourite and is also set to take over from Richard Osman on quiz show 'House of Games'. | Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
3. Billie Piper - 15/8
It could be argued that former companion Billie Piper is already the next Doctor Who after the shock ending of the last series saw her emerge from Ncuti Gatwa's regeneration. BUT, crucially, she was not credited as 'The Doctor' at the end of the programme - so it's not official. She's now the 15/8 third favourite - and would be a hugely popular choice with Whovians who miss Rose. Or maybe she'll return as David Tennant's companion? | Getty Images for BFC
4. Peter Capaldi - 2/1
Peter Capaldi is priced at 2/1 to follow David Tennant and return to the role after a break. He's quite busy with his music career at the moment though, having just announced a UK tour following the release of his new album 'Sweet Illusions'. | Getty Images