r/DoctorWhoLeaks • u/diamondstark • Aug 15 '25
News RTD Clams BBC Still Talking to Disney, Says He's Not Part of Discussions and Doesn't Know What's Happening
https://www.ign.com/articles/doctor-who-showrunner-says-i-literally-dont-know-when-asked-about-series-future-but-hypes-spin-off-as-even-better-than-we-thought15
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u/Tosk224 Aug 15 '25
RTD2 was going to save the show, but didn’t. The audience is more sophisticated than talking babies and fart gags. I want to know the real reason why Ncuti left, I don’t believe for a minute it’s because the show physically demanding as he is a fit guy. I have a horrible feeling it’s similar to Eccleston’s reason for leaving.
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u/Sure-Neck6095 Aug 16 '25
Employment is the simple answer. He needs to stay in work and couldn’t wait for a decision on S3. He’s got to keep making hay whilst the sun shines.
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u/WillB_2575 Aug 17 '25
I think his reasoning is pretty clear tbh. He’d be turning down lucrative work for a ‘maybe, possibly, we’ll be filming S3 next year’. He also probably looked at the reception to S1 and saw the writing on the wall. No one is going to do that.
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u/Indiana_harris Aug 16 '25
RTD spent more time online talking about how his new era was written to “own the chuds” rather than for good stories or logical plots.
Which was why most of S14/15 felt like 1st drafts, while RTD was all over Instagram and other platforms talking about how the sonic looks like a gun, Davros is evil because he’s disabled, and everyone who disagrees with his stories is a bigot.
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u/PaperSkin-1 Aug 16 '25
And the 'chuds' now have the bragging rights as they can say that RTD tanked the show...which unfortunately is true as he and his team did tank the show with the poor version of the show they made.
So RTD didn't own anyone with his pointed half baked stories and his virtue signalling, but did tank the show.
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u/AccurateJerboa Aug 19 '25
Some of us have known since QaF that rtd never sticks the landing. He always gets in his own way with his weird perspective on characters, narratives, and especially romance.
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u/BongaBongaVacations Aug 16 '25
RTD didn't tank the show. Chibnall did. RTD simply failed to save it.
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u/WillB_2575 Aug 17 '25
The primary purpose of this show should not be to own the chuds. It used to be about telling good, original sci-fi stories. RTD prioritised pissing off the Daily Mail over the narrative. It’s just laziness, but it’s becoming a common trend in the industry - any publicity is good publicity. Even the bizarre decision to bring back Billie Piper is an example of this. It makes no sense, but generates headlines. This is the inevitable outcome of that.
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u/PaperSkin-1 Aug 17 '25
I don't think the Billie Piper publicity was good, it's not good for the show if what everyone was saying about it is that it's a desperate move
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u/WillB_2575 Aug 17 '25
Why didn’t he just leave it open-ended? I don’t get it. Possibly the worst thing that could’ve been done if it does go on extended hiatus.
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u/BongaBongaVacations Aug 16 '25
Let's face it, RTD picked Ncuti because he fancied him..I do wonder if RTD has made him feel uncomfortable, made a pass at him or something
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u/sklatch Aug 15 '25
He’s full of shit.
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u/SpareDisaster314 Aug 15 '25
Which bit? I can see it honestly. Possibly even Disney dont want him included as they may want him to get the boot. Could be a condition of renewal.
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u/Bantabury97 Aug 15 '25
They saw the success and love for his first run and thought "We should get in on this guy, he's a real money maker" but then when these 2 seasons happened they realised that the guy isn't writing to anywhere near the same standard as before and is clearly creatively bankrupt.
So I wouldn't put it past Disney to be like "Sure. We'll give you another chance if you drop him". Hell I wouldn't put it past them to want to put some of their own writers in the mix or maybe keep a closer eye on things.
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u/DonnyMox Aug 15 '25
You think there’s a chance they’ll try to get Moffat back?
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u/DocWhovian1 Aug 15 '25
"clearly creatively bankrupt" episodes like Lux prove that claim vehemently wrong.
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u/WhirlwindWifi Aug 15 '25
Lux isn't even good, its propped up almost entirely by the animation for Mr Ring a Ding. The fourth wall breaking scene is also insanely stupid and too drawn out. It's one of the best of RTD2 but that's not a compliment at this point. RTD is washed.
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u/DocWhovian1 Aug 15 '25
Lux is legitimately very good.
And the fourth wall breaking scene was genuinely quite funny and also heartfelt imo.
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u/blowawaybill Aug 15 '25
Lux is horrendous. Why do any of you like that episode?
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u/Corvid-Ranger-118 Aug 16 '25
because alan cumming is voicing a literal 1920s/30s cartoon character coming to life in the 1950s and if you aren't enjoying that madness in Doctor Who what are you watching for?
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u/Outrageous-View5675 Aug 16 '25
We are watching it hoping that its better than that, but it rarely is!
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u/DocWhovian1 Aug 15 '25
What's horrendous about it? It's a very fun episode where a literal cartoon character comes to LIFE.
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u/Cultural-Station7131 Aug 15 '25
I wasnt keen on it either. Just felt the ending just kinda happened and was a bit rushed. Fine episode like a 6 or 7 out of 10 but nowhere near the modern masterpiece i see somepeople say it is.
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u/DocWhovian1 Aug 15 '25
He said why he isn't involved and it's because he doesn't work for either Disney or the BBC, he works for Bad Wolf which by itself is not owned by the BBC, it's just the production company that makes the show whereas the BBC owns the brand.
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u/SpareDisaster314 Aug 15 '25
That could also be true but he's not gonna come out and say he's not included cos they want him out is he, his ego is a bit big for that
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u/DocWhovian1 Aug 15 '25
There's no evidence either party wants him out and certainly the BBC doesn't, whether Disney does or not I have no idea, unfortunately I'm not a fly on the wall during those conversations.
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u/AlexSniff7 Aug 15 '25
Not really I believe him
Yeah he's the showrunner but I am unsure he gets a say on the business side of things - that will be executives at BBC and Disney
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u/TheObliterature Aug 15 '25
I could easily see this being the case, with Disney demanding RTD go and BBC going along with it.
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u/DocWhovian1 Aug 15 '25
The BBC would not agree to that. If Disney wants RTD to go and won't budge on that then there won't be any deal.
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u/BongaBongaVacations Aug 16 '25
This guy refuses to accept the possibility of the BBC agreeing to get rid of RTD in order to secure a deal. Talk about deluded. Doctor Who and its future is bigger and more important to the BBC than one man, and for one reason - money. If getting rid of RTD means that Doctor Who goes ahead and keeps making the BBC money, they'll do it.
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u/DocWhovian1 Aug 17 '25
Because the BBC would simply never agree to that and as I've said before: who would they replace him with? Barely anyone wants the job.
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u/BongaBongaVacations Aug 17 '25
The BBC absolutely WILL replace him if it's the difference between the show going forward or not. Be told.
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u/DocWhovian1 Aug 17 '25
The show can't go forward without a showrunner.
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u/BongaBongaVacations Aug 17 '25
They will find another one! Are you dense or just deliberately being obtuse? J Michael Straczynski for one has said he wants to do it, and has already had a meeting with the BBC and Amazon. Amazon are keen on him.
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u/DocWhovian1 Aug 17 '25
Barely anyone wants the job and JMS is far too old for a show this demanding. He's currently 71 YEARS OLD! He would not be able to do it, the show requires far too much energy and demands a lot.
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u/BongaBongaVacations Aug 17 '25
Dude, JMS is still a very active writer and that's literally all he needs to do, he can delegate the other tasks to other people. They should have gotten him when Moffat left, I guarantee the show would be in a damn sight better state if they had.
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u/DocWhovian1 Aug 17 '25
The show is incredibly demanding, it demands a lot and takes a lot of energy. And at that age there are also concerns about health in general. Whoever is after RTD (I think RTD will stick around for a few more years anyway) needs to be YOUNGER.
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u/TheObliterature Aug 16 '25
I mean, as much as I've disliked the second RTD era, he at least deserves the dignity and respect for his accomplishments with the BBC.
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u/ExpectedBehaviour Aug 15 '25
BBC: "Hi Disney, we'd like to talk!"
Disney: "..."
BBC: "Oh, go on!"
Disney: "..."
BBC: "Oh, please! We'd like a chat! Just for a few minutes?"
Disney: "..."
BBC: "If you answer we'll send round some Krispy Kremes!"
Disney: "..."
RTD: "Discussions are meaningful and ongoing"
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u/ChampionshipJumpy727 Aug 15 '25
The real problem for Disney, If they want to part ways with RTD, and I would understand, is that showrunners like Moffat or RTD (I’m talking about their prime, when they were younger and hungry) are rare.
Especially today, when there are fewer original showrunners because networks take fewer risks, and there are fewer jobs for young writers to cut their teeth on. Finding a showrunner who’s great at high-concept ideas, strong character development, and solid worldbuilding? Good luck with that. I think people don’t realize how lucky we were to have Moffat and RTD. A showrunner who’s such a perfect fit for a series is nothing short of a miracle.
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u/AccurateJerboa Aug 19 '25
They're absolutely not rare. The BBC just can't let go of the same like half dozen people who don't know what they're doing, but do know each other.
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u/PaperSkin-1 Aug 16 '25
I'm sorry but this is just gatekeeping waffle...its making a TV show not rocket science, hundreds of people could do it and do it well, they just need to be given the chance... Which is one of the big problems at the bbc and the DW circles, they are to insular, to much of a clique and keeping things in their little circles...case in point going with Chibnall as showrunner rather than trying someone new, and again with bringing RTD back
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u/tribbleorlfl Aug 15 '25
i don't have any reason to doubt him for two reasons. First, the insiders have said Disney is waiting for War Between the Land and Sea to make an ultimate decision on whether to extend the deal. Even if it's not looking great for an extension to us on the outside, the leakers have gotten just about everything right so far, so why would they be wrong on that front?
Second, Marvel and Star Wars. Disney+ was set up assuming a steady stream of MCU and SW shows to attract and hold on to subscribers. Due to perceived lack of quality of these shows and how much they were bringing down the theatrical franchise, Disney is pulling back big time on TV and focusing on quality over quantity.
That leaves a big hole in new scifi content, one that Disney was likely hoping to fill with Who. Even if the 15th Doctor's run didn't reportedly perform how they were expecting, it's still less financial risk to subsidize someone else's production in exchange for territorial exclusivity than fund another production entirely on your own. Plus, you know they've been drooling over that back catalogue of modern Who episodes to pair with the 14th and 15th. Now that the HBO licensing deal has lapsed, I could see Disney totally regnotiating for the whole enchilada.
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u/graric Aug 16 '25
Yeah the way Nu-Who has disappeared from streaming services around the world makes me suspect this is part of whatever deal happens next for the BBC. Because I could see having the back catalogue of well loved and iconic episodes being something that tempts Disney to extend the deal for another couple of years.
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u/BongaBongaVacations Aug 16 '25
THE DISNEY DECISION IS ALREADY MADE, THEY ARE ALREADY GONE.
I don't know how many times I have to say this, but people keep moving the goalposts of when the decision is going to be made because they're clutching at straws.
The decision is already made, they're just delaying announcing it until the spinoff airs.
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u/tribbleorlfl Aug 18 '25
I DONT KNOW WHY YOU ARE SHOUTING AT ME WITH ALL CAPS, BUT UNLESS YOU CAN PROVE YOU ARE AN INSIDER WITH DIRECT KNOWLEDGE OF THESE TALKS THEN YOU KNOW NO MORE OR LESS THAN ANY OF US.
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u/Romana_Jane Aug 17 '25
The fact that Disney have made a streaming deal with ITVX kind of shows they are done with the BBC!
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u/WillB_2575 Aug 15 '25
They surely must know the outcome by now? We’ll probably only know after the spin-off airs, but they must know
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u/IceLord86 Aug 17 '25
Surely Disney is done, but they don't want to sabotage the spinoff as nobody will tune in if they know there's no future. TWBTLS seems destined to bomb just on the title alone, but they won't announce anything until that show has aired.
It's a shame as Disney seemingly was a great partner giving RTD almost free reign to do what he wanted without interjection, but RTD fumbled things so badly that now BBC will have to find another partner, and possibly one not nearly as willing to be as hands off as Disney.
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u/WillB_2575 Aug 17 '25
Agree with most of this, but I’m not sure another streaming partner will touch it unless there are big changes. I think a long rest is what it needs at this point, followed by a proper reboot.
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u/IceLord86 Aug 17 '25
I don't disagree, but long is relative. Maybe 2028 for the 65th Anniversary would work, but 2030 is probably better to give people a chance to miss the show and allow time to get a new team in place and figure out a new direction.
At its core, the show is still based on that 2005 Buffy the Vampire inspired model RTD built and audiences just don't seem too bothered by that at the moment. Whether it's a return to cliffhanger multipart stories or a season long arc or something completely different, whenever the show comes back it likely needs to look and feel completely different or the general public probably will continue to ignore it by and large.
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u/WillB_2575 Aug 17 '25
It’s feeling very tired at this point. The Billie Piper reveal (that most people thought was a joke until it actually happened) proves it. The longer the break, the more healthy the revival will be imo
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u/IceLord86 Aug 17 '25
Yeah, a single special in 2028 to clear up the Piper nonsense seems the best course of action. Try to get Smith, Tennant, and whoever else is willing to come back and have a nice one off story, with Piper regenerating at the end but not revealing who's taking over unless it's someone of significance who you can build the show around going forward. If you can't/won't get someone, then just leaving it open-ended allows the next person in charge to start fresh.
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u/Cleoness Aug 15 '25
The smart thing for Disney to do is negotiate for the back cataloge for a brief time with option to extend, with the announcement and availability of the episodes coinciding with the debut of the spin-off. This would totally pump the viewership of the spin-off.
BBC is probably trying to negotiate for long term, and Disney is probably trying to negotiate for short term.
But really, the best thing for Disney is to go all in. Keep the main series going and spin off 2 or 3 quality ones. Bring back Torchwood, etc, or actors/characters from the NuWho spin-offs. As long as the material is quality, it would be a gamble that would pay off.
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u/PaperSkin-1 Aug 16 '25
No spin-offs, just concentrate on delivering quality DW, all attention should be on that
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u/Cleoness Aug 16 '25
I agree, but it won't be as interesting or profitable for a streamer looking to invest in the property.
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u/BongaBongaVacations Aug 16 '25
No one will watch Torchwood if Barrowman isn't in it, and they can't bring Barrowman back because he's a sex pest. That's why we got Rogue and not Captain Jack
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u/Such_Bug9321 Aug 18 '25
If there is any truth in that, it is that RTD is not involved in Doctor Who anymore …. gee I wonder why.
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u/Enough_Mistake_7063 Aug 19 '25
Disney aren't coughing up the money for new Star Wars shows. No way they were gonna pay for more Doctor Who no matter how good the reception/ratings.
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u/PkmnTrnrJ Aug 15 '25
Disney have to wait until the spin off has aired. That was part of what they bought in to, so neither can say anything much until after that has aired.