“Will come back”: Doctor Who star Mandip Gill reassures fans about the sci-fi series’ return

Former Doctor Who actress Mandip Gill has recently teased about the show's future. The star expressed confidence in the BBC sci-fi title and her reassurance reignites fan excitement for one of the longest running show's.

Gill, who played Yasmin Khan during Jodie Whittaker’s tenure as the Thirteenth Doctor, has recently spoken to RadioTimes, offering a vote of confidence in the direction of a comeback. She said:

“It will come back.”

Doctor Who star Mandip Gill reassures fans about the sci-fi series’ return

In 2025, Doctor Who underwent many setbacks. Disney ended its co-production partnership with the BBC, and Ncuti Gatwa, the lead cast, also stepped away. As a result, the Season 15 finale, The Reality War, divided audience opinion among viewers.

However, according to the latest reports, the show will arrive with a Christmas special in 2026. The episode will likely address the cliffhangers that the audience long sought answers for. It may address the uncertainty hanging around Billie Piper’s potential involvement as an incarnation of the Doctor. But regarding this, no official credit or announcement has yet been made.

The show has seen a very long run, and that in itself makes the actress confident about the show's future. Gill drew attention to the show’s longevity as proof of its resilience.

“Have you seen how long it’s been going on?”

She also highlighted how coming back is not only a necessity after so many years of existence but a creative and transformative step. Gill mentioned:

“The great thing about the people who watch Doctor Who is they’re so open to change, which is why it can keep regenerating every couple of years.”

As a series, it delivers, apart from its thrilling story, an openness that allows the series to expand rather than fade. She further mentioned:

“So, I have no doubt that it’ll come back, and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger and more exciting.”

Apart from the Doctor Who franchise, Gill has already broadened her career across genres. Before joining Doctor Who, she was best known for playing Phoebe McQueen in Hollyoaks.

Later, her career gathered roles like in Humans and Curfew, sealing a name in TV genres. She has also set foot in an upcoming comedy, starring in the BBC sitcom Can You Keep a Secret?. This title had an ensemble cast starring Dawn French, Mark Heap, and Craig Roberts. The sitcom tells a fun story where a family attempts to hide an insurance fraud scheme.

It offers a blend of awkward humour with escalating consequences. It marks another shift for Gill, who has increasingly avoided being tied to a single genre after leaving the sci-fi show. Gill went on to reflect on the difficulty of casting the Doctor, noting that while the role is iconic, it demands a specific presence:

“There’s only a certain amount of people, I think, that can play the Doctor.”

The actress said:

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“It takes a certain type of person.. I’m sure they’ll get it right, but it’ll be so interesting, even for us ‘inside’, to find out who it is. And I’m sure they’ll have an amazing time.”

As for Doctor Who, while its immediate direction remains under wraps, Gill’s comments ignite a spark of enthusiasm among avid fans. For those who want to catch up on Gil's latest title, Can You Keep a Secret? airs on January 7, 2026, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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