Doctor Who release schedule: when is episode 3 on Disney Plus and BBC?

Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who
(Image credit: BBC)

The Steven Moffat-penned 'Boom' is Ncuti Gatwa's favorite new episode, so it stands to reason that you should be watching Doctor Who's third episode the minute it drops, right?

However, it's a late start for some. As you'll soon see, the Doctor Who season 1, episode 3 release date continues the bleary-eyed trend for those in the UK wanting to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Beyond that we've got the confirmed streaming time on Disney Plus in the US and worldwide, as well as a look at the full Doctor Who release schedule for this year, and the complete Doctor Who season 1 episode count.

For more, be sure to dive into our Doctor Who episodes 1 and 2 review, and Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson revealing their all-time favorite villains in a new interview with GamesRadar+.

Doctor Who episode 3 release date: when is it on BBC One and Disney Plus?

Doctor Who

(Image credit: BBC)

The Doctor Who episode 3 release date is May 17 at 4:00 PM Pacific/7:00 PM Eastern on Disney Plus in the US and worldwide. 

The third episode will also be available on BBC iPlayer at midnight on May 18 in the UK. It will also air on BBC One at 6:50 PM BST on May 18.

Doctor Who release schedule: when are new episodes out?

The Doctor and Ruby.

(Image credit: BBC)

New episodes of Doctor Who will release every Friday in the US and on Saturdays at midnight in the UK. Don't worry, traditional TV fans: Doctor Who will continue to air in its usual Saturday night slot on BBC One.

The full Doctor Who release schedule is as follows:

  • Doctor Who episode 1 ('Space Babies') - May 10 (US)/May 11 (UK) - out now!
  • Doctor Who episode 2 ('The Devil's Chord') - May 10 (US)/May 11 (UK) - out now!
  • Doctor Who episode 3 ('Boom') - May 17 (US)/May 18 (UK)
  • Doctor Who episode 4 ('73 Yards') - May 24 (US)/May 25 (UK)
  • Doctor Who episode 5 ('Dot and Bubble') - May 31(US)/June 1 (UK)
  • Doctor Who episode 6 ('Rogue') - June 7 (US)/June 8 (UK)
  • Doctor Who episode 7 ('The Legend of Ruby Sunday') - June 14 (US)/June 15 (UK)
  • Doctor Who episode 8 ('Empire of Death') - June 21 (US)/June 22 (UK)

Doctor Who episode count: how many episodes are in season 1?

The Doctor and Ruby in Space Babies

(Image credit: BBC)

There are eight episodes in Ncuti Gatwa's debut season of Doctor Who. A festive special is also expected to air in Christmas 2024.

Where can I watch Doctor Who?

Ncuti Gatwa is the Doctor

(Image credit: BBC)

Doctor Who can be watched on Disney Plus in the US and other worldwide regions, then on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK.

Watch Doctor Who free on BBC iPlayer

Watch Doctor Who free on BBC iPlayer
Doctor Who fans based in the UK can watch Ncuti Gatwa's brand new Doctor Who series, and all other episodes of Doctor Who (2005–2022), absolutely free on BBC iPlayer.

Away from the UK? Licence fee-payers travelling outside the UK at the time of airing can still watch iPlayer for free no matter where they are in the world, by using a VPN. We recommend NordVPN. Full details below.

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Be sure to check out the best Disney Plus shows, best Disney Plus movies, and best Disney movies you could be watching right now.

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.