vivdunstan

The BBC today issued an update about Doctor Who's future. The 2026 Christmas Special has been cancelled, and they are putting the series out to tender. No word when it may come back. On Instagram Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf both confirmed their exit.

I'm struggling to see any positive spin on this. On the one hand there may be a company who can do a good job of it, hopefully with a good showrunner, if that's the model they go for. But it feels very much like a very uncertain delay, and with the circumstances of the BBC at the moment, which are becoming more precarious as time goes on, I don't feel confident that Doctor Who will return to the telly. And even if it does, will it have a sustained future, or limp through another attempt, then vanish again?

On Instagram Russell T Davies wrote: "Now I’m as excited as anyone to see what comes next! Will they keep the theme tune? Will they lose the blue box? Will they bring back the Drahvin?! It’s all up for grabs, which is so Doctor Who, exciting and unpredictable and new!" Please forgive me, but none of that fills me with excitement.

There's also the problem that at the moment there is no current Doctor to carry on the torch for fans, unlike during the 1989-2005 gap, where the existence of current doctors prompted a mass of tie-in books and other things. It's also quite likely that any new series produced in the future won't address, or at most will quickly brush away, the Billie Piper appearance.

Strictly speaking it's not the Wilderness Years 2.0, but it does feel awfully like it ...

Just got to Tom Baker appearing in our rewatch of “The Silver Chair” Narnia series from the BBC in 1990. And I’m constantly laughing at everything he says as Puddleglum. Brilliant character, perfectly cast.

Finished watching this, having watched spread out and slowly.

Just beautiful, a gem of a series, that has so much of the feel of Mackenzie Crook's Detectorists, but tells an original story, with brand new characters, with warmth, style and pathos.

The character interactions were magical throughout.

So much of the best bits of the series were the small details, so very carefully observed, acted and directed.

And every character was rounded and sympathetic to an extent. That's top writing.

I especially enjoyed some of the moments in the DIY store.

But the best part was the relationship between Michael and Kacey.

For goodness sake BBC, renew it for a second series! Though I am rather wondering how well that would work. I'll certainly watch.

If you're in the UK and can watch this on iPlayer, I thoroughly recommend doing so.

If you're in another country, I hope it is broadcast where you are and you get a chance to see it!

It really is very special.

As with Paris we’ve taken out a one month Discovery+ subscription (£3.99*) so we can watch the Olympics, this time the Winter Olympics. With better viewing options and more live streams than will be on the BBC. The Winter Olympics have already started some sports, and we are currently tuned in live to a British (well two Scots) Winter Olympics curling match.

* the £3.99/month Entertainment package includes the 2026 Winter Olympics. No need to go for the phenomenally expensive £30+/month TNT Sports option.

Note: this aired in the UK on BBC TV in December 2025. It is expected to air worldwide on Disney+ sometime in early 2026.

Just finished watching this Doctor Who spin-off. I’m going to jot down some brief thoughts with mild spoilers in them, avoiding some of the biggest stuff. But to be on the safe side I’ll still put this into spoiler space.

( spoilers )

Tackling the bumper Christmas issue Radio Times (long running UK TV and radio listings magazine), highlighter pens in hand, ready to note programmes of interest over the festive period. Yup, I’m one of those folk still doing this. Though Christmas is now the only time of year we buy the Radio Times.

Now pondering if I should use more than one highlighter pen colour. And amused by the Wallace & Gromit cover of the festive issue.

Onto another story that I cannot remember at all, despite reading through the full Sherlock canon at least three or four times before now.

( spoilers )

There’s a digitally remastered version of the BBC Narnia various TV series coming out in November. Complete with new documentary. Instant preorder for me!

BBC journalist Steve Rosenberg plays snippets from all 37 Eurovision 2025 songs on piano, in an epic play through.

Just ordered me some goodies from RedBubble, where an artist - and member of the Box of Delights online fan community - has been creating art for the 40th anniversary celebrations. I have managed to resist getting a framed wall print. We already have too many pictures waiting to go up on the walls! But I might have ordered a fridge magnet, two designs of coasters, some stickers and a large fleece throw 😜 Really looking forward to getting this package!

I also have a new and expanded version of Philip Errington’s companion book coming soon, and later in the month the remastered 40th anniversary Blu-ray produced by the BBC will be here.