Disney's Impact on Doctor Who: A New Chapter for the Time Lord

Disney's Requested Scene in Doctor Who

Disney had a note to offer, and it was a good one. Current Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies reveals the one scene Disney requested in the recently released seasonal special.

Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday looking mystified outside the TARDIS on Doctor Who

Following the release of three episodes to mark and celebrate the Doctor Who 60th anniversary, a new Christmas special was recently released, titled 'The Church on Ruby Road.' This special episode featured Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa’s main debut after he made a cameo in the third anniversary episode, and he was also joined by Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday, the Doctor’s new companion.

Speaking recently about 'The Church on Ruby Road' for Doctor Who: Video Commentaries, the showrunner revealed one of the first scenes in the Christmas special was one that Disney specifically requested to be included. It involved featuring Gatwa's Doctor far sooner. Read his full quote below:

This was the very last scene to be added. I’ll tell you why – because Disney always test a first episode, and they tested this and people wanted to see the Doctor earlier, as simple as that. They came back with that note, and I was like, “Well, actually, okay. Who doesn’t want to see Ncuti earlier?”

Disney's Influence on Doctor Who's Production

Despite being one of the longest-running and most popular shows in the world, Doctor Who has been fairly difficult for people outside the UK to access. The show was broadcast by the BBC for UK audiences while it bounced through various streaming platforms in the United States without ever really setting in one place.

This, however, changed recently when Disney+ struck a deal with Doctor Who, acquiring the exclusive rights to stream future episodes of the show internationally. While the public is not privy to all the details of this mega deal, one thing that’s for sure is that Disney+ joining forces with the BBC would most likely bring a different dimension to the long-running Doctor Who. One of the major changes that’s already evident is Disney bringing in an increased budget, making it possible for the creative team to enhance their sets and visual effects.

What is less clear is how much creative control Disney has over Doctor Who. From an outside perspective, it doesn't feel like it's much. The series remains primarily a BBC production, and Davies' recent tenure has already introduced elements that Disney is famously wary of approaching, such as LGBTQ characters. However, as Davies' above comments confirm, Disney is able to offer some notes on the show, so perhaps the studio's creative input on things such as the upcoming Doctor Who season 14 is minimal, but not nonexistent.

The Future of Doctor Who with Disney

The impact of Disney's involvement with Doctor Who is set to bring about significant changes, not only in terms of production quality but also in the creative direction of the show. With the increased budget and potential creative input from Disney, the upcoming seasons of Doctor Who could see a new dimension and a fresh approach to storytelling.

While the specifics of Disney's influence on Doctor Who's production are still unclear, it's evident that the studio's involvement marks a new chapter for the Time Lord. The future of Doctor Who, with Disney on board, holds the promise of captivating storytelling, enhanced visual effects, and the potential for new and exciting adventures for the Doctor and their companions.