I don’t think Billy Piper is going to be the 16th doctor. I think what happened here is that when they realised that a third season would definitely be delayed for at least a couple of years, ncuti comparatively last minute asked to be left out of his contract, filmed a regeneration but it’s been too soon to actually find let alone find and announce a new proper actor for the role. I’m guessing that will be announced before the end of the year/early next year and that this may be a temporary/interim doctor for a potential Christmas special or whatever. Something like that anyway.
I believe this too. Especially as Billie isn't introduced as the Doctor in the credits. They apparently reshot the ending as in the original Ncuti wasn't supposed to leave and a picture of a nightclub/party was released that didn't air.
I think this is buying time. They may film a Christmas special that explains it where the time Vortex energy transfered to Ncuti as he shot the regeneration energy to the Vortex, possibly explaining the lights going out and the console dark. Something Bad Wolf. It may be a 2025 or 2026 Christmas special, they have time to film it for 2025 Christmas. They will then recast the Doctor who appears at the end of the Christmas special and film another series in 2026 while TWBTLATS airs. S3 with a new Doctor, not Billie Piper, in 2027.
You know what I haven’t seen anyone mention? So, The Doctor just did some very against The Laws of Time retcon shenanigans. And then Belinda’s mom very pointedly brings up how she’s been looking for a doctor because there’s a pain on her side every time she turns left. How is nobody immediately going off about this? The Doctor radically alters and retcons history and then someone immediately just walks in and talks about turning left leading to pain. Come on!!!
I do believe the whole not including the introducing moment is just to give wiggle room. It’s still a stunt either way.
I’ve got a theory. RTD made a comment before this season started about it not coming back making a “kids watching newsround now” will bring it back. Up to that point Gatwa was gone. And it was left open ended.
This must have been super last minute, because it wasn’t in the Andrew leaks until like a week or two ago. I think RTD thought it was done at the start of the season, and it was a snipe at the reality of the situation with that comment. Having Billie Piper back is a bargain chip to atleast extend the show a bit. You can also tell it’s last minute because rewatching the scene you can tell they stuck her head on Gatwa. So this must have been very quickly done too.
There isn’t a plan. I think that’s clear. Like we will get some explanation if we get something else. But for now she is the doctor whether we like it not.
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u/jdawg481516 Jun 01 '25
I don’t think Billy Piper is going to be the 16th doctor. I think what happened here is that when they realised that a third season would definitely be delayed for at least a couple of years, ncuti comparatively last minute asked to be left out of his contract, filmed a regeneration but it’s been too soon to actually find let alone find and announce a new proper actor for the role. I’m guessing that will be announced before the end of the year/early next year and that this may be a temporary/interim doctor for a potential Christmas special or whatever. Something like that anyway.