Disney and BBC Confirm Rumored April Premiere of New Season of ‘Doctor Who’ and an Intriguing Guest Appearance

Big news for everyone who loves a good trip through time and space comes from Deadline—Disney and the BBC have locked in April 12, 2025, as the premiere date for the next season of ‘Doctor Who’. It’s coming to Disney+ for folks outside the UK, while those in Britain can catch it on BBC One and iPlayer. We’re all excited to see what’s next for the Doctor, and this time, there’s an extra treat with a guest star joining the adventure.

The new season brings back Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, who first stepped into the TARDIS in late 2023. He’s joined by Millie Gibson, returning as Ruby Sunday, and a fresh face, Varada Sethu, playing the Doctor’s newest companion, Belinda Chandra. The trio will be zooming across the universe, tackling all sorts of wild challenges. I can’t wait to see how they handle whatever the galaxy throws at them.

What’s got everyone talking, though, is the guest appearance by Alan Cumming. He’s popping up in the second episode as Mr. Ring-a-Ding, a cheerful cartoon character from a place called Sunny Town. This isn’t Cumming’s first go at ‘Doctor Who’—he played King James I back in 2018’s ‘The Witchfinders’. This time, he’s voicing a singing toon who starts noticing the real world in 1952, and things get creepy fast. It sounds like a blast, and with eight episodes total, there’s plenty of room for more surprises.

For those keeping track, this is the second season since the show teamed up with Disney+ for international streaming, while the BBC keeps it rolling at home. It kicks off at midnight Pacific Time on Disney+, which is 3 a.m. Eastern, and in the UK, it’ll hit iPlayer at 8 a.m. before airing on BBC One later that day. New episodes drop weekly, so we’ve got a steady dose of Doctor action through May.

Ncuti Gatwa’s been winning us over since he took on the role, bringing a fresh energy to the Time Lord. Millie Gibson’s Ruby had a big moment last season, staying behind to connect with her birth family, but she’s back for more. Varada Sethu, who you might know from ‘Andor’, adds a new dynamic as Belinda. With Russell T Davies still running the show, it’s a safe bet we’re in for some clever twists.

Alan Cumming’s not the only guest star lined up. Names like Jemma Redgrave, Ruth Madeley, and Rose Ayling-Ellis are also on the list, promising a mix of familiar faces and new talent. Cumming’s cartoon role sounds like a wild card—happy tunes turning dark? That’s the kind of weird I love about ‘Doctor Who’.

The show’s been a British staple since 1963, and this partnership with Disney+ is pushing it further across the globe. Last season was a hit, topping charts for younger viewers on both iPlayer and Disney+. With this April premiere, we’re all ready to jump back into the TARDIS and see where it takes us next.