Doctor Who Finale's Original Ending Revealed Before Ncuti Gatwa's Exit Reshoots

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The second season finale of *Doctor Who* left fans buzzing—not just for what aired, but also for what might have been. Ncuti Gatwa's surprise departure from the role of the Doctor, followed by the sudden appearance of Billie Piper as a mysterious new figure, significantly altered the ending originally planned for the season.

Before the episode officially aired, film and TV leaker Daniel Richtman shared insights suggesting that the finale had undergone major reshoots earlier this year. These changes were reportedly made in response to Gatwa’s decision to step down from the lead role, which required rewriting key scenes—including the conclusion of the season arc.

Original Finale Details Leaked via Actor's TikTok

Now, Richtman’s account appears to be supported by Sienna-Robyn Mavanga-Phipps, who plays Poppy—one of the central characters in the season’s final episodes. Her TikTok account, managed by her parent, recently reposted Richtman’s claims, sparking renewed interest among fans about the show’s alternate storyline.

"The original ending of Dr Who S2 (before the reshoots) was [that] The Doctor, Ruby, Belinda etc are all having a big party," Richtman explained. "Susan is seen watching them from afar, setting up a potential Season 3."

Mavanga-Phipps’ TikTok account has since liked multiple fan comments asking whether she filmed those original scenes, further fueling speculation that the leak may hold truth. In response to requests for photos, the account replied: “I wish I could hun... but due to NDA I can't.”

Poppy’s Expanded Role Cut From Final Episode

Mavanga-Phipps’ account also hinted at deeper lore connections that were cut from the aired version. According to these details, Poppy—who is revealed to be the Doctor’s daughter from an alternate timeline—was intended to be Susan’s biological mother. This would have established a direct familial link between the modern era and the classic series, as Susan is traditionally known as the Doctor’s granddaughter.

Carol Ann Ford reprised her iconic role as Susan this season, making a brief but impactful cameo. Fans had speculated that her return was meant to pave the way for a larger role in Season 3 before production delays and cast changes put future plans on hold.

Evidence of Original Ending Still Exists

Hints of the original finale linger in promotional material. A still image released by Disney+ shows the Doctor and Belinda dancing at a party—a moment not included in the final cut. Fans believe this was part of the original celebratory ending Richtman described.

Additionally, behind-the-scenes coverage on the official spin-off *Doctor Who: Unleashed* has avoided addressing the reshoots in detail, presenting Gatwa’s final day on set as a natural conclusion rather than a last-minute rewrite.

Uncertainty Around Future of the Series

While Russell T Davies, the show’s current showrunner, has stated that Gatwa always intended to stay for his current tenure, insiders suggest the BBC had hoped to begin filming Season 3 by now. With no formal renewal announced and questions surrounding the continuation of the show’s deal with Disney+, the future of *Doctor Who* remains unclear.

Billie Piper’s surprise cameo at the end of the finale only deepened the mystery. Filmed under secrecy even after Gatwa’s exit, her character’s identity—and whether she will become the next incarnation of the Doctor—remains ambiguous. This ambiguity, combined with delayed production schedules and unconfirmed casting decisions, has left both fans and critics speculating about the direction of the series moving forward.

As the dust settles on Season 2, one thing is certain: what we saw on screen was not necessarily the story that was first envisioned. And while some plotlines were rewritten or cut entirely, the leaked details give fans a tantalizing glimpse into the [ttpp] possibilities that once were.