BBC Scrubs Up Key "Doctor Who" Plot Twist from Debut Season with Newly Released Footage.
In a move that has only added fuel to the already-burning speculation surrounding the BBC and Disney's tumultuous partnership on the beloved sci-fi series, Doctor Who, the broadcaster has released a new montage of deleted scenes. The nearly 20-minute compilation showcases an assortment of minor, alternate takes, and snippets from both seasons.
While some fans will undoubtedly relish in seeing these behind-the-scenes gems, many are left wondering about one pivotal scene that was conveniently edited out: the original, radically different ending to "The Reality War" episode from the show's latest season.
Rumors surrounding this fabled alternate conclusion first surfaced after a promotional image inadvertently confirmed its existence. In 2024, an on-screen moment featuring Doctor Jodie Whittaker and Belinda Bailey-Paul (a character seemingly abandoned mid-season) was spotted in a poster for the episode's marketing campaign.
Months later, actress Carole Ann Ford – who reprises her role as Susan Foreman, the Doctor's long-lost granddaughter – spilled the beans about the original ending during a fan gathering in Australia. According to Ford, the scene featured an emotional reunion between her character and newly-introduced Ncuti Gatwa as the show's first incarnation of the Doctor.
Ford explained that in this alternate take, Susan finds herself face-to-face with her great-grandfather (now played by Gatwa), who is living life on Earth with his new Black partner. The scene would have taken a poignant turn as Susan reconnected with her grandfather amidst an idyllic party setting.
While the BBC has provided some tantalizing peeks into this previously unseen material, they've stubbornly refused to release the actual deleted scene itself – leaving fans to ponder its significance and what ultimately transpired in the altered narrative.
In a move that has only added fuel to the already-burning speculation surrounding the BBC and Disney's tumultuous partnership on the beloved sci-fi series, Doctor Who, the broadcaster has released a new montage of deleted scenes. The nearly 20-minute compilation showcases an assortment of minor, alternate takes, and snippets from both seasons.
While some fans will undoubtedly relish in seeing these behind-the-scenes gems, many are left wondering about one pivotal scene that was conveniently edited out: the original, radically different ending to "The Reality War" episode from the show's latest season.
Rumors surrounding this fabled alternate conclusion first surfaced after a promotional image inadvertently confirmed its existence. In 2024, an on-screen moment featuring Doctor Jodie Whittaker and Belinda Bailey-Paul (a character seemingly abandoned mid-season) was spotted in a poster for the episode's marketing campaign.
Months later, actress Carole Ann Ford – who reprises her role as Susan Foreman, the Doctor's long-lost granddaughter – spilled the beans about the original ending during a fan gathering in Australia. According to Ford, the scene featured an emotional reunion between her character and newly-introduced Ncuti Gatwa as the show's first incarnation of the Doctor.
Ford explained that in this alternate take, Susan finds herself face-to-face with her great-grandfather (now played by Gatwa), who is living life on Earth with his new Black partner. The scene would have taken a poignant turn as Susan reconnected with her grandfather amidst an idyllic party setting.
While the BBC has provided some tantalizing peeks into this previously unseen material, they've stubbornly refused to release the actual deleted scene itself – leaving fans to ponder its significance and what ultimately transpired in the altered narrative.
... it sounds like it would have been super emotional for Susan Foreman to see her great-grandpa again, especially with Ncuti Gatwa's character being a Black doctor 
. I wish they'd release the full scene already, though! It's like we're left wondering what could've been... and it's making me wanna rewatch that whole episode over again 
. So the BBC is just gonna leave it at that, huh? Just a tease without actually showing us the full deal. I'm sure it's gonna be some boring old family reunion with Susan and her great-grandpa. Like, what's so interesting about that? 
The fact that they edited it out tells me it was probably some lame attempt to fit in more diversity into the show anyway 
.
. I mean, who wouldn't want to see Susan Foreman finally connect with her grandfather like that? It's crazy how much they edited out, it's almost like they're keeping a secret 
. What if that scene would've changed the whole dynamic of the show? I'm not sure if I'm ready for that level of nostalgia overload 
. Can we please just get a full clip of that moment already?!
so the bbc just released a new montage of deleted scenes from doctor who and it's like...a whole new level of tantalizing clues about that alternate ending from season 14 
and then you have to remember all those rumors that went around last year when they accidentally confirmed its existence on an ad poster 
and now carole ann ford is spilling all the tea about what it would've looked like 
I mean, can we just see the actual deleted scene already?! 
It's been months and still no word from the BBC, that's so frustrating! 
. Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor? That's a game-changer right there 
but at least we got to see carole ann ford's fun fan gathering vids from australia 
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just imagine Susan and her great-grandpa vibing with that new Doctor, fam 
but at the same time, I'm kinda glad we got some of those behind-the-scenes clips, it's still cool to see where they were going with the story 
Would've changed the whole tone of the episode. Guess some things were left on the cutting room floor for a reason... Interesting 
and the party scene woulda been SO cool! 
I'm totally curious about that alternate ending 
I love how Carole Ann Ford spilled the beans at that fan gathering in Australia tho! 
Does anyone think this alternate ending would've changed the overall tone of the season or was it more of a minor tweak? 
They're literally scrubbing up the most iconic part of Doctor Who's debut season?!? Like, come on BBC! Can't they just let us see the original ending already?!? 
... I mean, who doesn't want to see the Doctor reunite with his own family after all those years?!? 
The suspense is KILLING me! #DoctorWho #AlternateEnding #BBC #DebateTheDeletedScene
. Can't they just let fans see the original material and have an open discussion about it? Geez, more drama with BBC... 
. I mean, what are we supposed to do with this new footage? Watch it over and over like some mindless fanboy/girl nonsense 
. Guess I'll just have to keep on speculating! 
, i guess we'll just have to keep speculating 