BBC News released an official statement on Monday responding to fans’ complaints about its coverage of the BBC series Doctor Who. Season 15 of the series wrapped up on May 31st with a massive surprise cliffhanger — the Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) regenerated, taking on the appearance of the Doctor’s former assistant Rose Tyler (Billie Piper). The BBC’s headline on this transformation read, “Ncuti Gatwa regenerates into Billie Piper as he leaves Doctor Who,” and some fans complained that this gave away too much in a headline they might encounter online before getting a chance to watch the episode. The BBC has now responded, not quite apologizing to fans, but explaining its approach to this report.
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“Some people contacted us to complain that the headline gave away the ending, spoiling this Doctor Who episode for them,” the response read. “Others requested that the BBC be more conscious of spoilers going forward, particularly in the use of headlines. Ncuti Gatwa’s departure from the series had been widely speculated and many fans will have been aware that this was a possibility.”
The BBC noted that it was not uncommon for them to report on an actor’s departure from a show that would continue without them, while acknowledging that Doctor Who is a unique case, as the main character “regenerates” often, and is recast. They also noted that the spoilers were not added until the evening after the episode aired.
“While we cannot account for everyone’s viewing habits, we initially held back from headlining the announcement of Ncuti Gatwa’s regeneration into Billie Piper. This extra detail was added later in the evening and our approach was consistent across the BBC site. Although every story is different, we have discussed your concerns on this occasion with senior editors and we will be mindful of your views for future coverage,” the statement concluded.
The controversy comes at an emotional time for Doctor Who fans, as the series has not been renewed for another season yet. There have been reports that it may not be renewed, or that it may undergo major changes if it does come back. The BBC’s deal with Disney+ to stream the show in the U.S. has reportedly not paid off, and it’s unclear if the studio will continue as a co-producer.
For now, fans can stream Gatwa’s run as the Doctor on Disney+. It’s not clear what comes next for the franchise, but updates are expected soon.
