LONDON (AP) – A Legacy of Survival and Change in “Doctor Who”

For over six decades, the beloved character from “Doctor Who” has navigated countless life-threatening situations.

But, is it truly the end for the iconic BBC science fiction series that has captivated audiences for generations?

The BBC has announced the cancellation of this year’s Christmas special, with showrunner Russell T Davies confirming he will be stepping down.

It’s been revealed that Davies will write the Christmas episode, which will air as the final season concludes in May 2025.

On Wednesday, the BBC stated that they, along with Davies and production company Bad Wolf, have mutually decided against broadcasting the Christmas episode. The broadcaster emphasized its commitment to “investing in the long-term future of our programmes.”

Moreover, the BBC plans to seek a production company to collaborate on the series, as the deal with Disney+ for co-producing and distributing shows is set to conclude in 2025 after two seasons.

Since its debut in 1963, “Doctor Who” has chronicled the journeys of a Time Lord from Gallifrey, traveling in the TARDIS—a time-and-space machine resembling an old British police box.

The show’s remarkable endurance can be attributed, in part, to its unique concept where main characters can regenerate into different forms as their previous ones wear out. This has allowed the series to continue beyond individual actors, with more than a dozen having portrayed the Doctor, the latest being Nkuti Gatwa.

Davies, who brought the show back to life in 2005 after a 16-year break and returned as showrunner in 2022, noted that the Christmas episode remains unwritten, and no actors have yet been contacted to take on the role of the Doctor.

In an Instagram post, Davies—who has penned popular shows like “Queer as Folk,” “It’s a Sin,” and “Tip To”—mentioned that the show’s future is “unpredictable.”

“We’ll have to wait a little longer for the new ‘Doctor Who’… but we’ll be looking forward to much more than just a one-time special. It’s definitely worth it!” he wrote. “Everything is up for grabs. It embodies the essence of Doctor Who—exciting, unpredictable, and fresh. The future is unfolding.”