In his first interview since joining BBC Studios from Sky, production chief Zai Bennett expressed confidence about the future of Doctor Who and its standing in the USA.

“[BBC Studios is] a big important part of Doctor Who and are all motivated to make sure Doctor Who has a long and flourishing life,” Bennett told Deadline. “We’ve got the Christmas special coming. After that, it’s time for us all to work on it.”

Now that Disney has pulled out of its Doctor Who streaming deal with the BBC, BBC Studios and Bad Wolf after two seasons, the BBC now needs to replace some of that lost budget.

The BBC and BBC Studios will also need to work out how the popular programme will reach audiences outside of the UK.

Bennett “won’t speak for the BBC” when it comes to whether BBC Studios, the commercial branch of the BBC, might help finance the future of the programmme.

“We’re all in it together,” he continued, when it comes to keeping Doctor Who on television for years to come.

A 2026 Doctor Who Christmas special, produced by Bad Wolf and penned by showrunner Russell T. Davies, is expected to go into production in some time in 2025.