The original ending of Doctor Who ‘season 2’ has been revealed, before reshoots meant it would be Ncuti Gatwa’s final season as the Doctor.
With a couple of exceptions, most Doctor Who actors in the ‘New Who’ era have had 3-season arcs. Look no further than David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor, Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor, Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor, and Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor. With Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth iteration of the titular Time-Lord, especially given the hefty investment from Disney, fans had expected at least a trio of seasons. However, at the end of his second season, his Doctor regenerated into none other than Billie Piper, who previously played Rose Tyler — one of the show’s most popular companions.
Naturally, with Billie Piper back on the scene, there’s rumours circulating that David Tennant will once again reprise his role. Water is wet, after all. However, before any of this twist came about, the show was initially going to continue Ncuti Gatwa’s journey. This confirmation comes from prominent insider Daniel Richtman, who had previously reported that the finale originally ended differently (that’s to say, there was no regeneration).
“The original ending of Dr Who S2 (before the reshoots) was [that] The Doctor, Ruby, Belinda etc are all having a big party,” Richtman wrote on X. “Susan is seen over watching them from afar which would’ve been the cliffhanger leading into a S3.”
Richtman’s report has since been backed up by the TikTok account of Sienna-Robyn Mavanga-Phipps, who plays Poppy; very much the catalyst character of the finale. The account is run by her mother, who has been liking messages alluding to the alternate ending, before reshoots occurred.
In a response noted by IGN, the account replied to a comment asking for behind-the-scenes photos of the initial ending. However, sharing such photos would breach all sorts of rules. “I wish I could hun,” the admin wrote, “but due to NDA I can’t.”
It would be nice to at lease see what the alternate ending would’ve looked like. But that’s in the past now. What has happened is done, and we have an exciting new Doctor to look forward to.
Doctor Who season 2 is now streaming on BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ for international viewers.
Did you want to see Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor embark on more adventures in time and space? What did you think of the reveal of Billie Piper as the Doctor? Tell us in the comments down below!
