Doctor Who’s return date for a second series has finally been confirmed by the BBC alongside huge streaming schedule changes.

It was previously feared that the much-loved science fiction series could be axed after an impressive 62 years on screens and the current Time Lord, Ncuti Gatwa, was reportedly close to quitting the show.

Now, the BBC has confirmed that Doctor Who will be returning for a second instalment with Ncuti as The Doctor on April 12.

The new series will air on BBC One and be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 8am that day in a huge schedule shake-up. 

Episodes were previously aired on BBC iPlayer at midnight, presumably in order stream in the US in the afternoon and evening after the show partnered with Disney+, which faced backlash when it was confirmed the programme would no longer air in it’s usual Saturday night slot. 

Doctor Who’s return date for a second series has finally been confirmed by the BBC alongside huge streaming schedule changes. Pictured: The current Time Lord Ncuti Gatwa

Varada Sethu (pictured) will feature as Belinda Chandra for a series of epic adventures. While Millie Gibson will star as Ruby Sunday

Ncuti will be joined in his Tardis by Varada Sethu as Belinda Chandra for a series of epic adventures, while Millie Gibson will star as Ruby Sunday.

Emmy Award-winner Alan Cumming is also set to make a guest appearance in the second episode and play Mr Ring-a-Ding. 

Read More Doctor Who’s future is thrown in doubt 

Mr Ring-a-Ding is a runaway cartoon character who lives in Sunny Town but suddenly decides to look out of the cinema screen in 1952 and witnesses the real world.

The revelation comes with horrifying consequences.

Other guest appearances include Rose Ayling-Ellis, Anita Dobson, Christopher Chung, Michelle Greenidge, Jonah Hauer-King, Ruth Madeley, Jemma Redgrave, and Susan Twist.

Showrunner Russell T Davies said: ‘Only Alan Cumming could give a runaway cartoon so much wit, malice, danger and fun. 

‘He makes the whole universe of Doctor Who wilder and madder than ever, and it’s an absolute honour to welcome him on board the TARDIS.’

The announcement comes after reports that Ncuti is thought to have already filmed his regeneration exit scene and ‘doesn’t want to be tied to the series’, according to The Sun.

Emmy Award winner Alan Cumming is also set to make a guest appearance in the second episode and play Mr Ring-a-Ding (pictured)

The announcement comes after reports that Ncuti (pictured) is thought to have already filmed his regeneration exit scene and ‘doesn’t want to be tied to the series’, according to The Sun 

Scottish actor Ncuti joined the show in 2023 after Jodie Whittaker bowed out as the Time Lord, but it’s rumoured that he’s set to walk away from the BBC show after just two seasons. 

It was previously reported that a decision of the show’s future would only be decided by bosses once Ncuti’s second series hits screens later this year. 

A source told The Sun: ‘Ncuti doesn’t want to be tied to the series beyond this and plans to relocate to Los Angeles with several Hollywood projects standing by for him.

‘His team also see a lot of fan backlash from the series, and don’t want the perception of him still being The Doctor to get in the way of any future work. 

‘The show has been poorly managed in recent years and there’s a lot of people who’ve been working on this show for years and now being cast aside due to poor leadership.’

The insider added that people had warned that the episodes were becoming ‘too caught up on an agenda’ rather than focusing ‘telling a story’, with those people apparently being ‘shouted down’ and ‘ignored.’

The Scottish actor, 32, joined the show in 2023 after Jodie Whittaker bowed out as the Time Lord, but it’s rumoured that he’s set to walk away from the BBC show after just two seasons

According to the publication, Ncuti’s first series attracted between ‘2.25million and 3.18million viewers’, much less than previous series’. 

However, a Doctor Who spokesperson added to The Sun: ‘This story is incorrect. Doctor Who has not been shelved. 

‘As we have previously stated, the decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs. The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes — and exactly half of those still have to transmit.’

The new series of Doctor Who airs on April 12 on BBC One and iPlayer.