Disney Demands Russell T Davies’ Firing

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It’s being speculated that Doctor Who might be facing significant changes, as there are rumors suggesting Ncuti Gatwa could depart, and moreover, there are reports from the UK indicating that Disney is pushing for the replacement of showrunner Russell T Davies due to less-than-optimal viewership numbers on Disney+ for Season 1.

It’s been mentioned that whether or not Davies leaves the show could hinge on the success of Season 3 on Disney+, as well as Disney’s ongoing financial support – with reports suggesting that the production budget for the first two seasons was over $100 million.

Beyond what’s already stated, there are additional claims suggesting Disney is insisting on the power to select the new showrunner for the series, and furthermore, they are aiming to acquire the entire Doctor Who library for their streaming platform, Disney+.

Ncuti Gatwa’s Exit Tied to Russell T Davies’ Departure

It’s been circulating that Ncuti Gatwa has parted ways with the series and that a regeneration scene featuring him has already been shot. Although speculation suggests his decision to leave was prompted by ambitions to further his acting career in Los Angeles, rumors also point out that he is aware of Russell T Davies’ departure from the show as the possible underlying reason for his exit.

Russell T Davies Working on Other Projects

Noteworthy is a recent announcement that Russell T Davies is developing a new drama centered around LGBTQ+ themes, titled “Tip Toe,” for UK’s Channel 4. Additionally, Radio Times has reported on Davies discussing the potential next showrunner for the popular series, Doctor Who, during an episode of David Tennant’s podcast.

According to the latest rumors, none of it is a coincidence.

What do the rumors say?

Reports indicate that Russell T Davies may be departing from Doctor Who, as per recent updates on the Tachyon Pulse Podcast on YouTube. It’s important to note that this same podcast was also the source of earlier news about Davies leaving the show, which aligns with reports from the SciTrek channel several months ago.

Disney Blames Davies for Poor Performance

Based on the YouTube source, it appears that Disney is reportedly pushing out Russell T Davies due to dissatisfaction with the direction of “Doctor Who” under his leadership. Notably, the first season under Davies had the lowest viewership in the show’s 60-year run.

Marvel, Star Wars — now Doctor Who

It seems that the situation for “Doctor Who” on Disney+ mirrors that of Marvel and Star Wars, as Disney invested heavily in these franchises but a large portion of the content was perceived as pushing a progressive agenda which many fans found unappealing and led to them tuning out. Recently, Disney CEO Bob Iger has acknowledged a scaling back of both Marvel and Star Wars, including budget cuts. Given this trend, it’s likely that Disney won’t invest another $100 million on Season 3 if viewership remains low.

According to the YouTuber, Disney is blaming Russell T Davies:

Over the past few months, it seems Disney has made a firm commitment regarding a popular series. They’ve stated, ‘Yes, there will be a new showrunner for the show; in fact, not just any showrunner, but one who aligns with our vision—otherwise, we won’t renew the contract.’

BBC May Shelve Doctor Who for Years

Speculation indicates that the BBC might temporarily pause the production of Doctor Who, potentially for a period ranging from five to ten years. This YouTube content creator asserts that the BBC does not intend to finance Doctor Who independently.

“If Disney pulls out they will not be moving forward on their own.”

Sony, Amazon May Step In if Disney Pulls Out

The YouTuber mentions that Bad Wolf Productions, the company of Davies responsible for Doctor Who, has had discussions with other companies about financing the show. Since Bad Wolf is owned by Sony, which shares a strong bond with Amazon, it’s possible that if the Disney agreement fails, Doctor Who might find a new home (or, alternatively, be delayed for up to a decade).

Disney Wants the Full Doctor Who Library

Apart from advocating for a change in leadership (Russell T Davies stepping down and a new showrunner taking over), the YouTuber asserts that Disney is aiming to acquire the complete library of the popular series, Doctor Who.

Disney is aggressively seeking a new showrunner for their projects, and they’re insisting on this change. Moreover, they are exerting efforts to acquire the entire library of Doctor Who from previous seasons, not just the content they’ve produced themselves.

Gatwa Reportedly Left Because of Davies

According to the YouTuber’s statement, it is claimed that Ncuti Gatwa and Davies both left together.

Many individuals claim that Disney seeks a new Doctor due to their preferences. However, what I’ve gathered is not that Disney wants a different Doctor per se, but rather Russell T Davies, who writes the Doctor Who episodes and guides the show’s direction. It appears that they believe removing the current leader would be a necessary step in addressing their concerns about the series.

The YouTuber added:

Ncuti Gatwa initially decided to star in ‘Doctor Who’ due to Russell T Davies, and it’s being mentioned that Ncuti Gatwa left the show because he realized Russell T Davies was planning to depart as well.

Who Might Replace Davies as Showrunner?

The YouTuber mentions that Michael Sheen is “near the top of Disney’s considerations,” but it’s unclear if Disney has contacted him directly so far. However, if the opportunity arises, Sheen is willing to accept the role because it would allow him to remain in Wales.

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2025-03-13 07:02