The BBC has confirmed rumors of significant changes to the fate of Doctor Who. Showrunner Russell T. Davies and production company Bad Wolf have left the project, and the festive episode planned for the end of the year has been canceled.
The broadcaster's official statement reads:
"This decision was not made lightly, and we understand it will disappoint fans. However, in order to prepare the series for future seasons, it was decided not to fill the gap with a one-off special, but instead to move forward and invest in the long-term future of the project. This will ensure that when the TARDIS lands again, it will do so in all its glory."
Russell T. Davies also issued a farewell statement:
"So, I say 'goodbye' to Doctor Who, but 'hello' to a big new future for the show, as the BBC announces it is putting the project out to tender."
The showrunner separately refuted fan theories that there were already developments for the festive episode or that a new actor had been secretly chosen for the role of the Doctor. According to Davies, the script for the unmade episode was never even started, as the future of the franchise remained uncertain.
"For the record: there was no script, I never wrote one, and no actor was approached to play the next Doctor. You can argue and expect me to be wrong, but you'll have to wait a very long time."
Such radical steps by the BBC confirm that the franchise is going on a long hiatus for another total regeneration.