Doctor Who’s 2026 Christmas Special Reportedly Scrapped
Doctor Who’s previously announced Christmas special could be in doubt, with The Sun reporting the show is struggling to lock down an actor to play the Doctor.
Their report claims that the festive episode may have been scrapped, with bosses instead looking at a Billie Piper-led special airing at Easter 2027 instead.
While Piper’s surprise appearance at the end of Series 15 immediately sparked speculation that she could take centre stage in whatever came next, the BBC has yet to clarify whether she is playing the Doctor, a version of Rose, or something else entirely.
With Piper an in-demand actress, it is possible that any shift from Christmas 2026 to Easter 2027 could be tied to her scheduling as much as creative uncertainty.
An unnamed insider reportedly said: “Despite reassurances that the show would be back on our screens with a new series, there’s been no confirmation from execs about when that will be.”
They added, “And they proudly announced that the Doctor would be making a comeback in this year’s Christmas Special.”
The source continued, “Now, with less than seven months to go, that looks like it’s hanging in the balance too.”
They also suggested that the role itself may have become harder to cast following the reaction to the most recent era, claiming, “The problem is that they have found it difficult to find anyone who’ll take on the part of the 16th Time Lord, partly because it now feels like a role that comes with all the baggage of the most recent series.”
Concerns were also reportedly raised about the quality of any rushed festive return, with the insider adding, “There are fears that even if they do manage to pull something together, it is going to be a poor cousin to previous Christmas specials which have always been adored by fans.”
When the special was announced seven months ago, Lindsay Salt, the BBC’s Director of Drama, said the corporation remained “fully committed” to Doctor Who and was “delighted” that Russell T Davies had agreed to write another festive episode.
The BBC reportedly declined to comment when asked by the source.
