Disney Branded Television and the BBC will launch season two of “Doctor Who” on Saturday, April 12 (12:00 a.m. PDT / 3:00 a.m. EDT) on Disney+, where available, and exclusively on the BBC and BBC iPlayer in the UK. They will release new episodes from the eight-part season weekly. While a twelve-episode season would be ideal, the return of the Gallifreyan Time Lord still generates immense excitement.
New Companion and Season 2 Plot
Ncuti Gatwa returns as the Doctor, alongside Varada Sethu as Belinda Chandra and Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday. This season introduces Belinda Chandra, whom the Doctor aims to return to Earth. However, a mysterious force intervenes, forcing the TARDIS team to confront significant dangers, formidable adversaries, and unprecedented terrors. Varada Sethu, cast as Belinda Chandra, previously appeared as Mundy Flynn in the season one episode “Boom,” continuing the trend of companions with prior Whoniverse roles.
Additionally, the season also features guest appearances from Rose Ayling-Ellis, Christopher Chung, Anita Dobson, Michelle Greenidge, Jonah Hauer-King, Ruth Madeley, Jemma Redgrave, and Susan Twist.
Alan Cumming to Guest Star as Mr. Ring-a-Ding
Emmy Award winner Alan Cumming (“The Traitors”) will guest star as Mr. Ring-a-Ding in the second episode. Mr. Ring-a-Ding, a cheerful, comical, singalong cartoon, lives in Sunny Town with his companion, Sunshine Sally. In 1952, after numerous cinema reruns, Mr. Ring-a-Ding unexpectedly perceives the real world beyond the screen, leading to terrifying repercussions. Cumming returns to the Whoniverse, having previously portrayed King James I in the 2018 episode “The Witchfinders.”
Showrunner, executive producer, and writer Russell T Davies said, “Alan Cumming delivers a performance that imbues a runaway cartoon with immense wit, malice, danger, and fun. He amplifies the ‘Doctor Who’ universe, making it wilder and madder than ever, and it is an honor to welcome him aboard the TARDIS.”
Addressing Rumors and Misinformation Regarding “Doctor Who”
Recent rumors on social media claimed Ncuti Gatwa would not return for a third season of “Doctor Who.” Rod McPhee, TV Editor of The Sun, published an article with the headline: “EXTERMINATE? Doctor Who facing axe as lead star Ncuti Gatwa ‘quits’ amid woeful ratings and fans’ fury at woke storylines.”
The article, citing an unnamed insider, alleged that Ncuti Gatwa had already filmed his regeneration scenes and that the show was canceled due to low viewership and fan outrage. While it’s known that modern Doctors typically have a three-year run, the article implied immediate cancellation after season two, despite the lack of official news regarding a third season. The article appeared to be clickbait, designed to incite discourse and anti-woke sentiment. It relied on unnamed sources and unconfirmed reports, a tactic often used to generate views and pressure studios for statements. Headlines claiming “fury at woke storylines” without specific evidence should be viewed with skepticism. Further spreading the misinformation spreads as people react to false rumors on social media.
The BBC clarified to the Mirror: “Doctor Who has not been shelved. The decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs. The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes – and exactly half of those still have to transmit.”
Check out our latest review of the recent Doctor Who episode “Joy To The World”
In this episode of “Temple of Geek’s Who Review” hosts Nate (Doc In The Box) and Elizabeth (Lady of Time cosplay) dive deep into the Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special, “Joy to the World.”
Spoiler Alert! If you haven’t watched the episode yet, pause here and check it out on Disney+. It’s a delightful watch, and you’ll want to be in on the fun before we dissect it.
