DOCTOR Who’s Russell T Davis has QUIT the show after the series was slammed for being “too woke” – and the Christmas special was cancelled.
It comes after actor Ncuti Gatwa, 33, quit the role last year, amid plummeting ratings after fans were left disgruntled over some of the storylines.
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Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has quit the BBC series Credit: PA
The latest series was faced with a backlash about its ‘woke’ storylines Credit: BBC
Fans said the “wokery” hit an all- time high when Doctor Who was taken over for a second time by showrunner Russell in 2023, with storylines including non-binary aliens.
But now it has been revealed that he will no longer be part of the BBC series and that the Christmas special has also been cancelled.
Speaking about his departure, he wrote on Instagram: “And so GOODBYE from me to Doctor Who but HELLO to a big new future for the show, as the BBC announces it’s putting the show out to tender.”
Russell also added “as excited as anyone to see what comes next!”
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Russell announced his departure on Instagram Credit: PA
Ncuti Gatwa revealed he had quit the show last year Credit: PA
Referring to the announcement about the Christmas special, he explained: “We only cooked that up to guarantee a future when no one knew what would happen, but now we do know, there’s no need for it.
“You’ll have to wait a bit longer for new Doctor Who… but you’ll be waiting for more Doctor Who than a one-off. So it’s worth it!
“For the record: there was no script, I never wrote it, and no actor was ever approached to play the next Doctor.”
Meanwhile, The Jattvibe previously how the much loved BBC show’s festive offering was under threat due to casting issues – and now it has been confirmed by the Beeb.
Doctor Who saw ratings plummet during the last series Credit: BBC
In a statement about cancelling the episode, the BBC said: “This decision was not taken lightly, and we know it will be disappointing for fans.
“But in order to set the show up for future series, it was decided that, rather than bridge the gap with a one off special, we are choosing to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show which ensures that when the Tardis lands once more, it does so in all its glory.”
The latest series of Doctor Who, which aired last year, faced a huge backlash from fans.
A poll revealed that fans had been left “bored” with the “woke series”.
James Johnson of pollsters JL Partners said: “This is the first ever major poll done on attitudes to Doctor Who and the results are bleak.
“The public believe a once-great show has lost its way — and their biggest complaint is it puts pursuit of wokeness above entertainment value.
“The main words associated with it are rubbish, boring, and woke.
“If the BBC want to grow the show’s audience once more, they will need a total revamp.
“And to get back to telling entertaining stories rather than preaching lessons that simply do not have an audience among the British public.”
The Jattvibe was first to reveal that actor Ncuti would be leaving Doctor Who after two series.
The star’s tenure was the shortest of any actor in the role since Christopher Eccleston, who left the rebooted BBC show after one series in 2005.
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)
