BBC ‘could put new series of Doctor Who on pause’ after Ncuti Gatwa axe.
The former Sex Education star was forced to step aside from the long-running sci-fi drama after two series.
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Ncuti, 32, will no longer play the famous BBC space traveller after the Time Lord’s regeneration on May 31.
But, it’s thought that execs are likely to rest the 62-year-old show as they consider who might be the star to revive its fortunes.
Insiders believe Disney+, which has pumped millions into the production, may not renew its deal.
One source said: “It’s unlikely we will see who Ncuti regenerates into as the Beeb will keep options open.
“And if they do rest the show for years, it makes it virtually impossible to cast someone now.”
It’s been reported that ‘woke’ storylines have seen ratings plummet as fans switched off.
The series has seen plots which have focussed on incels as producers introduced characters such as non-binary aliens.
A TV insider said: “If the final nail wasn’t already in the coffin, it was well and truly hammered in after that.
“Bosses were incredibly disappointed. Ncuti, as the Doctor, is one of the corporation’s most high-profile faces.
“His withdrawal was incredibly embarrassing. It caps what has been a largely depressing tenure in the Tardis for Ncuti.”
Mystery first surrounded the star when he suddenly withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest results showcase.
The actor pulled out of delivering the UK’s jury scores — just 48 hours before the 69th annual song contest kicked off in Switzerland.
Ncuti — who has been an outspoken supporter of Palestine — stepped aside moments after Israel qualified for the grand final.
The BBC confirmed he would no longer be involved, citing “unforeseen circumstances” with Sophie Ellis-Bextor taking his place.
Who has starred in Doctor Who?
Which actors have portrayed the famous Time Lord over the years?
- First Doctor: William Hartnell (1963 – 1966)
- Second Doctor: Patrick Troughton (1966 – 1969)
- Third Doctor: Jon Pertwee (1970 – 1974)
- Fourth Doctor: Tom Baker (1974 – 1981)
- Fifth Doctor: Peter Davidson (1982 – 1984)
- Sixth Doctor: Colin Baker (1984 – 1986)
- Seventh Doctor: Sylvester McCoy (1987 – 1989)
- Eighth Doctor: Paul McGann (1996)
- Ninth Doctor: Christopher Eccleston (2005)
- Tenth Doctor: David Tennant (2005 – 2010)
- 11th Doctor: Matt Smith (2010 – 2013)
- 12th Doctor: Peter Capaldi (2014 – 2017)
- 13th Doctor: Jodie Whittaker (2018 – 2022)
- 14th Doctor: David Tennant (2023)
- 15th Doctor: Ncuti Gatwa (2023 – present)
Israel’s entry in the competition was a singer named Yuval Raphael, 24, who survived the Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2023.
She ended up coming in second place when she was awarded a whopping 297 points in the public vote with her track, New Day Will Rise.
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