Doctor Who executive producer Jane Tranter fires back against claims made by former writer Robert Shearman that the franchise is “as dead as we’ve ever known it,” calling the accusation flat-out false.
Tranter Defends the Franchise’s Future
Tranter made her remarks during an interview with BBC Radio Wales on Friday, where she was asked about former Doctor Who writer Robert Shearman’s recent comments declaring the series creatively stalled and directionless.
“That’s really rude, actually. And really untrue,” Tranter replied.
She went on to clarify the current status of Doctor Who under the existing Disney+ co-production deal.
“The plans for Doctor Who are really simply this: the BBC and BBC Studios had a partnership with Disney+ for 26 episodes. We are currently 21 episodes down into that 26-episode run,” she said.
Five Episodes Remain, With More Decisions to Come
According to Tranter, the final five episodes under the deal are tied to the upcoming spin-off series, The War Between The Land And The Sea.
“We have got another five episodes of [that] to come. At some point after that, decisions will be made together with all of us about what the future of Doctor Who entails,” she said.
She acknowledged that the show is going through a transitional period but stressed that change is normal — and necessary — for any long-running series.
“The Doctor Will Be Back”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding what comes after the current deal, Tranter remains confident in the franchise’s survival.
“It’s a 60-year-old franchise. It’s been going for 20 years nonstop since we brought it back in 2005. You would expect it to change, wouldn’t you? Nothing continues the same always, or it shouldn’t continue the same always,” she said.
Tranter closed her comments with a direct message to fans: “The one thing we can all be really clear of is that the Doctor will be back — and everyone, including me, including all of us, just has to wait patiently to see when — and who.”
