Doctor Who Odds: Showrunner Uncertainty Sees Programme's Price Cut To Be Shelved

Doctor Who fans have a lot of questions about the show's future, and there don't appear to be many concrete answers at the time of writing.

The recent speculation on betting sites about Doctor Who potentially being shelved or rested continues to increase among supporters.

Season three is yet to be confirmed, following the series two finale, The Reality War, which aired on May 31.

While Doctor Who has aired many more than two seasons, the latest series is referred to as 'season two', because it is the second to be co-produced by Disney+.

But some fans have questioned whether Disney+ will even be involved with Who in the future?

There has been speculation that other streamers, such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, may be interested in co-producing the iconic British programme.

Or could the BBC go solo again?

Other common questions among Whovians include, who will replace Ncuti Gatwa as the next Time Lord? Will Russell T Davies return as Who showrunner in season three? And will there even be a series three?

Future Up In The Air

Davies recently spoke out about the show's future - but his comments didn't do a great deal to instil much confidence among the Whovian faithful. 

Stepping away from his long-running column on Doctor Who Magazine ,he told the publication: "We don’t know what’s happening yet, and while everyone works that out, I’ll take a pause on this page...Hopefully, we’ll have news soon."

What's more, a Doctor Who insider has warned fans of the sci-fi series they should "adjust their expectations" regarding the show's immediate future. 

Doctor Who Odds: When Will The Show Be Shelved 

According to IGN, former Doctor Who Magazine editor Tom Spilsbury wrote on fan forum Gallifrey Base: "I suspect the show will indeed come back at some point, but as of right now, nothing is commissioned and nothing is guaranteed. 

"Those are the facts. Time will tell, of course, but I don't get the sense of much optimism for anything very soon from anyone I've spoken to."

But uncertainty breeds speculation and following the recent comments, Doctor Who is into just Evens on betting apps, from 5/2, to be shelved before the year is out. And it's 11/8 for that to happen in 2026.

Who Won't Die 

But if Doctor Who is shelved, then it won't be due to lack of material. Davies has plenty. 

In April, he told Parade: "We'll always look ahead to the future if we get the chance to keep running. I've got ideas. 'I think I'll do that near [season] four or five.' 

"And that's always the way I've worked on things.

"So yes, I could promise you amazing stuff at the end of season four. There are things we've already mentioned that are going to bear fruit a long time into the future. So that's just the fun of it. That's the fun of Doctor Who. But, to say again, it's the pit stops along the way."

Could the TARDIS be heading into the pit lane in the near future? 

The increasing fan panic makes it seem more likely, but Davies has insisted the show will "never end".

In a piece in the latest Doctor Who magazine, which dropped in late June, he wrote: "No, not the end, don't be mad. Doctor Who will never end!"

It's now 6/1 for Who to be shelved in 2029 or later, and Davies admits there are still storylines to tie up. 

He added: "There are pathways leading to potential futures - we've still got the mystery of that bright and blazing ending, 'Oh, hello,' yes indeed, hello Billie!"

Hello Or Goodbye? 

While the show's future appears to be uncertain, fans have also been speculating about who the new Time Lord is, after Ncuti left the role. 

In The Reality War, Gatwa's 15th Doctor regenerated into Billie Piper, who cheerily said: "Oh, hello!"

Many are now convinced Billie - who played Rose Tyler, the Doctor's companion, in 2005 - will portray the 16th Doctor in the BBC sci-fi series.

However, the actress is yet to be confirmed as the 16th Doctor by the BBC. 

For instance, The Reality War's closing credits read: "And introducing Billie Piper."

If she was the new Time Lord, surely the BBC would have made this clear - as they did when the 10th Doctor David Tennant returned to the show to portray the 14th Doctor.

Doctor Who Odds: Will Billie Piper Be Confirmed As 16th Doctor?

His credit in October 2022 episode The Power of the Doctor read: "And introducing David Tennant as The Doctor".

Despite this, Billie is 1/3 to be confirmed as the 16th Doctor, but if she isn't then there will be several potential suitors with their eye on the role. 

Adolescence star Erin Doherty is the 7/4 second favourite, and Ncuti's former Sex Education co-star Aimee Lou Wood is a 5/2 chance. 

However, if Davies is still at the helm for season three then he might attempt to recruit Matt Smith, who portrayed the 11th Doctor from 2010 to 2013.

The House of Dragon star is a 2/1 chance to be the 16th Doctor, and David Tennant is a 6/1 outsider to portray a different Time Lord for a third time. 

Doctor Who Odds: Who Will Be The 16th Doctor?

Despite the fan speculation surrounding the show's future, a BBC spokesperson has said: "As we have previously stated, the decision on season three will be made after season two airs and any other claims are just pure speculation. 

"The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes - and we still have an entire spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, to air."

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.