Long-time Doctor Who fans have been left with plenty of questions following the announcement that the programme’s planned Christmas special will not go ahead, and few people are feeling that uncertainty more keenly than Carole Ann Ford.
Ms Ford, who made television history as Susan Foreman, the Doctor’s granddaughter and the show’s very first companion, recently returned to the Whoniverse after decades away from the central storyline.
Her comeback delighted viewers who had spent years hoping Susan’s story would finally be revisited.
With the future direction of Doctor Who now entering a period of transition, however, the actress has acknowledged that there are no guarantees about where the character’s journey goes next.
The star expressed her disappointment for the christmas cancellation
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BBC
The cancellation of the festive special has fuelled speculation about the franchise’s immediate plans, particularly after recent episodes left several narrative threads unresolved.
Among the biggest talking points is Susan herself, whose reappearance rekindled fan interest in one of the series’ oldest mysteries: what ultimately became of the Doctor’s granddaughter?
Introduced in the programme’s very first episode in 1963, she travelled with the First Doctor before departing the Tardis in one of the show’s earliest emotional farewells.
Ms Ford has expressed disappointment that the current uncertainty could delay answers to those questions. Nevertheless, she remains optimistic that Susan’s story is not over.
Ms Ford played Susan, the Doctor’s granddaughter during her initial appearance
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BBC
“I’m sure it will come back in all its glory,” Ms Ford said of the future of the sci-fi series.
But will it be with Susan? “Too right! I’d love to come back,” she told the publication when asked about a possible return.
The decision to cancel the upcoming festive edition coincided with showrunner Russell T Davies announcing his exit.
Ms Ford had a message for the departing writer, thanking him for his brief return to the Doctor Who writer’s chair.
“I’m very grateful to all the fans for their loyalty and support. And Russell – it was short and sweet, but thanks anyway!”
Mr Davies confirmed his exit in a statement on Instagram. He penned: “And so GOODBYE from me to Doctor Who but HELLO to a big new future for the show, as the BBC announces it’s putting the show out to tender.
“As a result, there won’t be a Christmas Special – we only cooked that up to guarantee a future when no one knew what would happen, but now we do know, there’s no need for it.
“You’ll have to wait a bit longer for new Doctor Who… but you’ll be waiting for MORE Doctor Who than a one-off. So it’s worth it!” (sic)
Viewers were delighted after Susan’s latest return
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BBC
Setting the record straight on the rumours circulating, he added: “For the record: there was no script, I never wrote it, and no actor was ever approached to play the next Doctor.
“You may disagree; fine, sit in that chair and wait to be proved right. You’ll wait a lonnng time.” (sic)
He signed off: “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! Here comes the future, vworp vworp.”