The beloved sci-fi spectacle Doctor Who is reportedly on the brink of being axed, with its viewing figures having seen a steep decline in recent times.

Inside sources claim that the BBC programme, which has thrilled audiences for a whopping 62 years, has been receiving backlash for its recent storylines, since Ncuti Gatwa stepped in during 2023.

Star of the show Ncuti is also said to have already jumped ship, planning to swap the UK for sunny California as he gears up for a slew of new acting gigs in Los Angeles.

The Scottish actor, aged 32, who made his debut in the series over a year ago, has allegedly wrapped up his final scenes already, as trepidation mounts among the cast and crew about the show’s potential cancellation.

BBC bosses are rumored to be holding off on any major decisions concerning the future of the programme until after Ncuti’s second series has been broadcasted. We’ve reached out to the BBC for a comment on the matter.

A source told The Sun that Ncuti opted to bow out sooner rather than later, concerned that sticking around on Doctor Who might hinder his burgeoning career.

They said: “Ncuti doesn’t want to be tied to the series beyond this and plans to relocate to Los Angeles with several Hollywood projects standing by for him,” reports Wales Online.

The insider went on to reveal: “His team also see a lot of fan backlash from the series, and don’t want the perception of him still being The Doctor to get in the way of any future work.

“The show has been poorly managed in recent years and there’s a lot of people who’ve been working on this show for years and now being cast aside due to poor leadership. People warned some episodes were getting too caught up on an agenda rather than telling a story and those people got shouted down, ignored.”

The future of the programme looks shaky as insiders suggest that the much-discussed Disney deal, reportedly worth a whopping £100 million, may be on rocky ground.

Crew members are said to be stuck in uncertainty, with sources claiming they’ve been cautioned to “not hold their breath” concerning job security over the coming ten years.

However, the BBC has been quick to set things straight. A spokesperson for the series stated: “Doctor Who has not been shelved. As we have previously stated, the decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs.”

Moreover, the rep detailed the contract with Disney+, clarifying that “The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes – and exactly half of those still have to transmit.”

Season 15 of Doctor Who is expected to air in May 2025, and season 2 will premiere in 2025.

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