The initial conclusion of Doctor Who’s recently aired second season — now ending with Ncuti Gatwa’s departure and Billie Piper’s surprise appearance — has been confirmed via a TikTok post by an actor featured in the finale.

Prior to the finale’s airing, film and TV insider Daniel Richtman shared online that the episode originally had a different ending, before Gatwa’s decision to exit the lead role led to significant reshoots earlier this year to incorporate his departure.

Richtman’s description of the original ending has now been corroborated by the TikTok account of Sienna-Robyn Mavanga-Phipps, the young actor portraying Poppy, a pivotal character in the episode.

“The original Doctor Who Season 2 ending (pre-reshoots) featured The Doctor, Ruby, Belinda, and others celebrating at a grand party,” Richtman wrote. “Susan was seen observing them from a distance, setting up a cliffhanger for Season 3.”

“It’s uncertain how much of this was retained in the revised ending,” he noted.

The TikTok account for Mavanga-Phipps, managed by the actor’s mother, reposted Richtman’s comments and hinted to fans that they are accurate.

“Did she film that scene?” one fan asked in a comment seen by IGN. “Is this legit since you’re sharing it?” wrote another. Mavanga-Phipps’ account liked both comments.

“That finale was a mess,” another fan commented, to which Mavanga-Phipps’ account responded with two crying emojis.

When asked to share images of the cut ending, Mavanga-Phipps’ account replied: “I wish I could, but I’m bound by an NDA.”

Mavanga-Phipps’ account further disclosed details of the scrapped plans, confirming fan theories that Poppy (technically the Doctor’s daughter from an alternate reality) was intended to be revealed as the mother of Susan, the Doctor’s granddaughter from the 1960s series.

After years of absence, Susan, portrayed by original actress Carol Ann Ford, made a cameo this season — aligning with plans for her to have a larger role in the next season, which is currently on hold.

“So Poppy was meant to be Susan’s child?” a fan asked on TikTok. “Mother,” Mavanga-Phipps’ account clarified.

“Can’t believe we missed out on the perfect ending with Poppy and Susan,” another fan wrote, to which Mavanga-Phipps’ account responded with a laughing emoji.

In press releases and Doctor Who’s behind-the-scenes series Unleashed, Gatwa’s exit reshoots were downplayed, with his final day on set presented as part of the original filming plan.

However, fans following the show’s production believe filming for the season wrapped in May 2024, when Gatwa was still set to return for a third season. Reshoots for the finale, accommodating Gatwa’s exit, occurred in February 2025.

Additional evidence of the original ending persists, including a Disney+ promotional image showing the Doctor and Belinda dancing at a party, a scene absent from the final episode. Fans believe this was the party scene Richtman described.

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has stated that Gatwa always planned to stay for the duration he did, though the BBC had hoped to film a third season by now. No official word on the show’s renewal or its Disney+ deal has been announced.

Billie Piper’s last-minute cameo was filmed in secret, possibly even later than Gatwa’s exit, as suggested by Unleashed host Steffan Powell, who noted the documentary team was unaware of her casting.

This is notable, as Unleashed covered other production secrets, like Gatwa’s exit and Jodie Whittaker’s cameo. Piper’s late casting may indicate uncertainty about Gatwa’s replacement.

Fans remain unclear whether Piper is playing the next official Doctor, and the ambiguity surrounding her role fuels growing uncertainty about the show’s future.