HBO responds to question of a potential Doctor Who partnership with the BBC

HBO boss Casey Bloys has responded to reports linking the broadcaster to Doctor Who, following the conclusion of the BBC's deal with Disney+.

Disney+ partnered with the BBC beginning with 2023's 60th anniversary Doctor Who specials, followed by two subsequent seasons of the sci-fi series and a spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea.

It was announced in October 2025 that the deal would not be extended, though the BBC’s director of drama commissioning Lindsay Salt insisted that the corporation itself remains "fully committed to Doctor Who", announcing a 2026 Christmas special from showrunner Russell T Davies.

Last month, Salt was asked by Deadline if HBO Max could act as a new streaming partner on Doctor Who, following co-production deals between HBO and the BBC on upcoming series Half Man (from Baby Reindeer's Richard Gadd) and the Michaela Coel vehicle First Day on Earth.

Salt did not rule out the possibility, noting that HBO "have been great partners creatively".

In conversation with Radio Times, Casey Bloys (chairman and CEO, HBO and Max Content) was asked if he'd be interested in partnering on Doctor Who – and Bloys also seemed open to the idea.

"It has not been presented to us," he clarified. "As with anything, I would say 'Never say never' – it's just not something that I know about."

The last season of Doctor Who ended on a surprising twist, bringing Ncuti Gatwa’s time as the Doctor to a dramatic close. In the closing moments, the Doctor began to regenerate, only for the new incarnation to be revealed as a shock returning face: Billie Piper.

Her brief appearance left fans stunned and set the Whoniverse buzzing with speculation about what comes next...

Back in December, writer/producer Davies revealed that he had shared plot details for the upcoming Christmas special with BBC bosses – and apparently what's to come left them "with jaws agape, loving it".

HBO Max launches in the UK and Ireland on 26 March. Visit hbomax.com for more information.

Doctor Who is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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