In a surprising revelation, a TikTok post by Sienna-Robyn Mavanga-Phipps, who plays Poppy in the Doctor Who season 2 finale, seemingly confirms that the episode’s original ending was quite different before extensive reshoots were carried out. 
The reshoots were triggered by Ncuti Gatwa’s unexpected departure from the role of the Doctor.
Prior to the airing of the finale, film and TV insider Daniel Richtman posted online that the episode originally concluded with a large party scene featuring The Doctor, Ruby, Belinda, and others, with Susan watching from a distance. This was meant to be the cliffhanger leading into season 3. However, it appears that the original ending was altered after Gatwa’s exit was confirmed and reshoots were necessary.
Confirming Richtman’s details, Mavanga-Phipps’ TikTok account, managed by her mother, added more fuel to the speculation. Fans took to the comments asking whether the original ending, including the party scene, had been filmed. Some even questioned the legitimacy of the information, which Mavanga-Phipps’ account seemingly verified by liking the posts and responding with crying emojis to one fan’s comment about the finale’s quality.
According to Mavanga-Phipps’ account, Poppy, the character she plays, was initially supposed to be revealed as Susan’s mother. This would have tied back to the original 1960s episodes where Susan, the Doctor’s granddaughter, was introduced. Carol Ann Ford, who portrayed Susan, made a brief cameo this season, fueling speculation about her return in a larger role. Despite this, production on the next season is currently on hold, and the planned storyline seems to have been abandoned due to the reshoots.
The reshoots also saw Billie Piper’s surprise cameo at the end of the finale, which many believe was filmed in secrecy well after Gatwa’s departure. This cameo, alongside the lack of clarity regarding Piper’s role, adds to the confusion over the future direction of Doctor Who. Fans are left to wonder whether Piper is playing the next incarnation of the Doctor, a question that has yet to be officially answered by the BBC.
The show’s future remains uncertain, with fans questioning the reasons behind Gatwa’s sudden exit. Despite this, many Doctor Who fans still hold hope for the series’ future, even as some express disappointment over the final season and the handling of the character’s departure.