Mark Gatiss reveals why it’s vital Doctor Who does not try to become Star Wars
While reflecting on the conclusion of a 26-episode deal that delivered two seasons of Doctor Who and spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea as part of its partnership with Disney, actor and writer Mark Gatiss said he thinks it’s “key” Doctor Who does not try to become a big-budget Star Wars-style franchise.
Mark Gatiss thinks it’s “key” Doctor Who does not try to become Star Wars.
The 59-year-old actor and writer – who is a long-standing contributor to the sci-fi show – made the remark while reflecting on the conclusion of a 26-episode deal that delivered two seasons of Doctor Who and spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea as part of its partnership with Disney.
Mark, who has written episodes across several eras of the series including The Unquiet Dead, The Idiot’s Lantern, The Crimson Horror and Robot of Sherwood, said at the Radio Times Covers Party 2026 while addressing comparisons between the Disney-backed seasons and global franchises: “It’s never going to be Star Wars.”
He added: “I mean, it’s been a thing since Michael Grade took it off in 1985. It’s like, ‘Audiences are used to Star Wars’ and you go, well they are, but it’s never gonna be Star Wars. What it is, is Doctor Who, and I think that’s the key.”
In October 2025 it was confirmed Disney would not partner on further Doctor Who seasons.
The BBC has said the show will continue in-house, with returning showrunner Russell T Davies writing a Christmas special due to air this year on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Mark also discussed the visual scale of the most recent run.
He said: “It looked great. The Disney money obviously did something, but in the end, it’s essentially a spooky show.
“It’s a weird show. And that’s what I’ve always adored about it. It’s not like anything else.
“And actually when it tries to be like something else, it’s not Doctor Who.”
He added: “I think, in the end, the thing to absolutely cherish and cling onto is that it’s very much its own thing and that’s why we’ve always loved it.”
The writer was also asked about the regeneration twist that saw Ncuti Gatwa depart the role of the Doctor, regenerating into the returning Billie Piper.
He said about the decision: “Russell (T Davies) does chutzpah like no one else.”
Mark added: “I don’t know much about what happened, if Ncuti Gatwa was going to do three years, but only did two – it was certainly a surprise that he was going, wasn’t it? So I think if you have this sort of… it’s like the ultimate cliffhanger, isn’t it?”
Mark compared the moment to an earlier television shock, saying: “It’s like Sherlock in The Reichenbach Fall. It’s like, ‘Well, this is a big one’.”
He added: “So I haven’t a clue. I know there’s a Christmas special this year. And after that, who knows?”
