Russell T Davies reasures Doctor Who fans about show's Disney future

Russell T Davies has sought to reassure Doctor Who fans about the show's future after it was announced Disney has come aboard the long-running sci-fi classic.

Disney acquired the international rights to the show that will see Doctor Who stream on Disney+ internationally. The studio is also reportedly giving the show a cash injection with increased budgets too.

Showrunner Davies has looked to reassure fans about any impact Disney could have on the show, saying to Doctor Who Magazine: “People are, naturally, worried about American producers having notes on things.

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"Well, don’t be. [Disney is] giving excellent notes."

He added: “And I’m here to tell you, you haven’t watched a drama on British television in 20 years that hasn’t had American notes on it.

"Everything is a co-production… it’s really, completely normal.”

Davies, who originally ran Doctor Who from 2005 and 2010 before returning last year, also gave fans a tease of the upcoming fourteenth season: “If you want any more reassurance, let me just tell you that we’re about to transmit the words ‘Mavic Chen’ on television for the first time since 1966.

"It is absolutely the same show.”

Mavic Chen is a character who last appeared in Doctor Who in the 1960's when William Hartnell played the Time Lord.

The character was portrayed by Kevin Stoney and was a villain aligned with the Daleks.

Doctor Who will next be on screens in November when David Tennant and Catherine Tate return to the show as the fifteenth Doctor and Donna Noble.

Three specials will mark the show's 60th anniversary before the Ncuti Gatwa takes over as the Doctor with Coronation Street star Millie Gibson as his companion Ruby Tuesday.

When Gatwa takes over the role he will become the first Black actor to play the character.

Watch below: Billie Piper reacts to Russell T Davies returning to Doctor Who