The BBC has confirmed that its co-production partnership with Disney on the ‘Doctor Who’ franchise has ended, according to multiple sources. The collaboration, which was intended to bring the iconic sci-fi series to Disney+, faced significant challenges including concerns over a ‘woke’ backlash and a perceived lack of enthusiasm from Disney. The series, which has seen notable changes in its portrayal of the Doctor, including a transgender actress and a historic gay kiss, reportedly experienced a drop in viewership, leading to questions about its sustainability on the platform.
According to Deadline, a well-placed industry source stated that ‘Doctor Who’ became ‘too woke for Trump’s USA,’ and this was ‘a factor in Disney minds’ when it came to a renewal.’ The series was budgeted at $11.6 million per episode, a significant investment that reportedly led to internal regret within Disney, with one insider expressing dissatisfaction over the financial commitment. The BBC executive also noted that it never felt like Disney was ‘making much of a deal,’ further contributing to the decision to end the partnership.
Replacing the original lead, Jodie Whittaker, the 13th Doctor, with Ncuti Gatwa, the 15th Doctor, was viewed as a pivotal change. However, this shift reportedly led to an ‘alarming drop-off’ in viewership, with a decline of one million viewers. As reported, the new Doctor failed to grow the established fan base, raising questions about the impact of casting choices on the show’s popularity. Despite the high production costs, Disney’s lack of enthusiasm for the show and its perceived alignment with progressive themes contributed to the decision to terminate the partnership.
The cancellation of the BBC-Disney ‘Doctor Who’ collaboration highlights the growing tensions between mainstream media and cultural sensitivity. The series’ move toward more diverse representation, including the casting of transgender and LGBTQ+ actors, appears to have influenced the decision to end the deal. As the BBC and Disney move forward, the implications of this partnership’s end will likely have broader impacts on the media landscape, particularly in how content is produced and received in an increasingly polarized environment.