Ncuti Gatwa made his emotional exit as the Doctor in the explosive series finale of Doctor Who on Saturday night, handing the reins over to a surprising face—Billie Piper.
After two electrifying series in the iconic role, Gatwa has officially stepped away, making room for Piper, who famously portrayed the Doctor’s companion Rose Tyler. Now, she's stepping back onto the TARDIS, and fans are buzzing. “Getting the chance to return to that TARDIS was something I just couldn’t pass up,” Piper said with excitement.
The BBC, keeping fans on the edge of their seats, teased Piper’s return by saying: “Just how and why she’s back remains to be seen…”
As the finale closed, the credits confirmed the seismic shift: "Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor. Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor. And introducing Billie Piper."
While Piper celebrated her return, she kept the mystery alive, hinting that fans will need to “wait and see” how her character fits into the unfolding saga. Her statement left it unclear whether she’s officially the 16th Doctor, breaking tradition and raising eyebrows.
If Piper is the next Doctor, she’ll become the third woman to take the title, following in the footsteps of Jodie Whittaker and Jo Martin.
“It’s no secret how much I adore this show,” Piper added. “The Whoniverse holds some of my most cherished memories. Being asked to come back? It was a no-brainer. But the how, when, and why? You’ll have to wait and find out.”
Immediately after the finale, Piper lit up Instagram with a set of nostalgic photos—two selfies holding a white rose, and two throwbacks of her as Rose Tyler. Her caption? "A rose is a rose is a rose!!!"
Russell T Davies, the showrunner and creative mind behind this bold twist, said: “Billie changed television in 2005—and now, she’s done it again! It’s pure joy bringing her back to the TARDIS. But how, and who she really is… well, that’s a story we’re not telling just yet.”
Piper first joined Doctor Who in 2005, helping revive the beloved series after its long hiatus. She starred alongside Christopher Eccleston and later David Tennant, quickly becoming a fan favorite.
After leaving Doctor Who, she reinvented herself, earning acclaim in bold roles like Belle de Jour in Secret Diary of a Call Girl and the lead in I Hate Suzie. In 2017, she won Best Actress at the Olivier Awards for Yerma, and recently landed a BAFTA nomination for portraying Sam McAlister in Scoop, a gripping drama about Prince Andrew’s Newsnight interview.
Ironically, when Peter Capaldi exited as the 12th Doctor, Piper once expressed doubts about taking on the role herself—despite believing it was time for a woman to lead. Jodie Whittaker ultimately took the baton.
As for Gatwa, his time in the TARDIS was brief but impactful. His 18-month stint across two series marks the shortest run since Eccleston’s single-season departure in 2005.
Reflecting on his exit, Gatwa said: “You know going in that one day you’ll hand back the sonic screwdriver. But nothing truly prepares you for it.”
He added, “There’s no way to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor—and even less to explain what it’s like being embraced by such a global, passionate fanbase. I’m so thankful to the Whoniverse for welcoming me.”
“Every moment has been a gift,” he said. “But now, it’s time to pass on the keys to that legendary blue box. I’ll miss it deeply and cherish the journey forever.”
The future of the series remains uncertain. Russell T Davies has said that plans for another season wouldn’t be confirmed until this one aired. The last two series were co-produced and distributed internationally by Disney+, which brought a significant budget boost. Talks are ongoing about whether Disney will renew the deal or if new partnerships will be explored.
Given production timelines, a new series likely won’t land before 2027. That means any new episodes or a special featuring Billie Piper in the near future look unlikely.
Description:
"Doctor Who takes a bold twist as Ncuti Gatwa exits and Billie Piper returns to the TARDIS in a shocking series finale. Discover what Piper’s comeback means for the future of the show, her mysterious new role, and what lies ahead for the Whoniverse."