Is Doctor Who going to have a spinoff next? Everything we know so far

Yes! An all-new Doctor Who spin-off will premiere in the year 2025! The next series, The War Between the Land and the Sea, will follow UNIT as they face the Sea Devils' comeback. Returning to the program will be these legendary villains, who have deep roots in the show's mythology and will delight us Whovians with their return to the fold.

Meanwhile, showrunner Russell T. Davies and writer Steven Moffat have hinted at another possible spin-off inspired by the Time Hotel.

Does this name ring a bell? "Joy to the World," 2024's Doctor Who Christmas Special. Anyone? The hotel that offers vacations throughout history, and where the Doctor was stationed (with Anita) for an entire linear year. Yes, and Whovians are already making speculations about that.

While Doctor Who's future may be as wibbly-wobbly as ever, the TARDIS seems far from running out of adventures. For almost 60 years, The Doctor has been regenerated and given numerous identities. The show has transformed, shocked, and enthralled fans in Classic, Modern, and Postmodern eras.

Now, with Russell T. Davies and Steven Moffat at the helm of the TARDIS once again, as well as Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, the postmodern age is ready to solidify Doctor Who's legacy as one of the longest-running sci-fi franchises and a key impact on the genre.

Wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey – Always TARDIS

The Classic Era (1963–1989): where time began

When Doctor Who first materialized in 1963, few could have predicted its cultural impact. (Well, maybe the Doctor did.) Viewers were transported through time and space when William Hartnell's First Doctor stepped out of the TARDIS.

Early on, the show combined science fiction and historical dramas in creative ways that set it apart from other TV shows. The Daleks, whose bellowing “Exterminate!” became (in)famous, were introduced in this Classic Age.

The series showed that science fiction may be compelling like historical drama. This age used episodic narrative and serialized arcs, already using the blend of adventure and intense social critique that would later define the series.

Each series regeneration was fresh and stylish. Jon Pertwee's Third Doctor was daring and charming, while Patrick Troughton's Second Doctor was odd and unpredictable. Tom Baker was possibly the most famous Doctor of the classical era. (The Doctor's scarf, anyone? Oh, and jelly bellies.)

From the enigmatic Time Lords to the terrifying Cybermen, each evolution deepened the mythology, keeping viewers on edge. The Classic Era's capacity to reinvent itself while staying loyal to its beginnings made the Doctor a character who could transcend time, space, and television itself.

The Classic Era lasted 26 seasons despite budget restraints and increasingly intricate plots, proving Doctor Who was bigger than any performer. Contemporary adaptations, spin-offs, books, comics, and radio dramas continue the series' spirit. Like the Doctor's TARDIS, this age was bigger on the inside, full of inventiveness, danger, and unlimited possibilities.

Doctor Who's pioneering attitude in merging genres continues to influence many other series and ensure its place in science fiction history.

The Modern Era (2005–2023): The Doctor is back—Fantastic!

After 16 years in limbo, Doctor Who was revived in 2005 with Russell T. Davies as showrunner, and Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor. From the first “Fantastic!” to Billie Piper’s Rose running through London, the Modern Era proved that Doctor Who still had plenty of hearts to spare.

The series combined thrilling adventures with emotional depth, making fans laugh, cry, and hide beneath the sofa, especially when the Weeping Angels appeared for the first time (and, well, maybe always after that).

This era captivated new and old fans with thrilling action and deep, personal stories. Relationships, especially that of the Doctor and Rose, shaped the Modern Era's plots and added to the series' emotional weight.

With huge battles and devastating scenes, David Tennant's Tenth Doctor consolidated the show's global appeal. Tennant's charisma and character development made him popular (and he came back time and time again).

The Eleventh Doctor, played by Matt Smith, added more whimsy and mayhem, reminding viewers that time is a giant ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff.

Whether confronting Daleks, solving mysteries with River Song, or breaking our hearts with Amy and Rory’s exit, this era balanced humor, tragedy, and spectacle. The emotional stakes were increased with the arrival of River Song and the Doctor's intricate relationship with time, destiny, and, well, her.

Oh, how much the Doctor changed throughout the Modern Era! How much they suffered, but how much they learned and grew. From Peter Capaldi's introspective Twelfth Doctor to Jodie Whittaker's pioneering Thirteenth Doctor, the show welcomed diversity, examined modern concerns, and reminded us why the Doctor is one of science fiction's most beloved characters ever.

New allies, alien threats, and developing lore set the stage for the next era. Jodie Whittaker was the first female Doctor—better late than ever since the Doctor's genre fluidity situation had been established a long time ago, with "The Doctor's Wife," penned by Neil Gaiman in Season 6. This decision came to expand on the show's progressive views and the Doctor's mobility-like time.

The Postmodern Era (2023–present): new faces, endless possibilities

Ncuti Gatwa (the 15th Doctor) marked the beginning of a new era for Doctor Who. Reinvention keeps this series alive, and Gatwa's Doctor fearlessly tackles new terrain. He manages to subtly change the Doctor's personality and problem-solving manner while staying faithful to their essential values.

This new period explores diversity, identity, and current challenges. Through time-traveling and emotive narrative, it depicts today's world. On Disney+ worldwide, postmodern Doctor Who will expand the Doctor's temporal excursions.

With showrunner Russell T. Davies back, postmodernism feels like a homecoming with new possibilities. Davies has hinted at spin-offs (yes, plural!) and grander stories, suggesting that the Whoniverse will expand (as galaxies) even more—but without losing its core.

Davies' ability to balance enormous, universe-spanning tales with intimate stories will keep Doctor Who going. This era will celebrate the show's history while reimagining its future in exciting and unexpected ways.

Confirmed spin-offs: UNIT and the return of the Sea Devils

These classic villains first appeared in 1972 and are set to make waves again in 2025. The new series comes with the promise of action-packed storytelling with emotional stakes. The Sea Devils’ return is a nod to the show’s long history of bringing back old villains, each time with a new layer of depth and danger.

The five-part upcoming spin-off will explore the Sea Devils' deadly agenda, as well as UNIT’s role in protecting Earth from extraordinary threats. Russell T. Davies called it a “muscular and thrilling drama” that explores global threats and human resilience.

The Whoniverse is expanding into new genres with this spin-off, allowing for a deeper investigation of its rich mythology.

The War Between the Land and the Sea will combine classic Doctor Who with modern production and the filming has wrapped up. This series is expected to explore the greater effects of alien invasions, underlining Doctor Who's international scale while maintaining a grounded, character-driven narrative.

Speculations: Will the Time Hotel become the next adventure?

The 2024 Christmas special "Joy to the World" introduced the Time Hotel, a place where guests can vacation anywhere in history. Fans were instantly captivated, and Russell T. Davies fueled speculation by calling it a “Mr Benn for a new generation.” Steven Moffat chimed in, saying in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter:

“I can’t imagine the Doctor being able to resist going there!”

The Time Hotel’s premise is a perfect fit for Doctor Who’s time-bending adventures, offering endless possibilities for the Doctor to explore. With each new guest, the concept creates fresh historical and future scenarios with whimsy and peril. Time travel in such a situation may create a hilarious, historical, and mysterious spin-off.

No formal plans have been made, but fans are dreaming. Another spin-off may be based at the Time Hotel, which has endless stories. The Time Hotel offers thrilling experiences and a chance to learn about the Doctor's relationship with time and history.

Each episode would have the Doctor exploring a different time period, providing a new perspective on history while preserving the show's lightheartedness and complexity. This speculative spin-off draws from the show's vast storytelling potential.

Fantastic! The future of Doctor Who is bigger on the inside

Doctor Who proves its adventures are timeless, with the upcoming spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea and hints about the Time Hotel (and possible fan-favorite Anita's return). Across three eras and countless regenerations, the show has remained a cultural icon—bold, emotional, and endlessly creative.

The show’s ability to reinvent itself with each new Doctor and era demonstrates its unique power to adapt while staying true to its roots. Whether it’s the past, the present, or the future, Doctor Who remains the quintessential time-traveling adventure, with more stories to tell and new worlds to explore.

With Ncuti Gatwa leading the postmodern era and Russell T. Davies at the helm, Doctor Who is poised for another era of storytelling brilliance. The Doctor's adventures always teach us that time isn't a straight line, whether traveling across time or facing ancient threats.

Every turn of the TARDIS door is set to bring new opportunities for adventure, growth, and the reinvention of what we know about time and space.