The BBC has finally confirmed its plan to release a new series of Doctor Who – and it’s sooner than you think.
Whovians worldwide were left in an agonising state of limbo for months after the shocking end to Ncuti Gatwa’s run as the 15th Doctor, with little news of the show’s future aside from the promise of a Christmas special from Russell T Davies.
Then, over the summer, the BBC dropped yet another bombshell when the broadcaster U-turned on the festive episode and shared that Doctor Who would be put out to tender as they remained ‘committed to its future’.
This means that production studios will now bid to helm the series into a new era while its home remains with the BBC.
As of this week, the BBC has officially put the show out to tender and detailed exactly what they are looking for to herald in the show’s blank-slate future.
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First, the BBC has confirmed it plans to release a new series in 2028/2029. Although this is a minimum of two years away, this is a far cry sooner than some were speculating, including some insiders who believed the sci-fi show could be off air for years.
As for what they are looking for, it seems as though they are vying for a 2005 reboot-style launch.
As the BBC puts it, companies should put forward ‘a multi-episodic series (including specials) for transmission in 2028/29, with an option to extend the contract at BBC’s discretion to produce a second series.’
Further, the broadcaster explained: ‘The series should feel contemporary, and creatively ambitious, whilst remaining true to the values and characteristics that have made Doctor Who a beloved series across generations…’
They are expecting the bare bones of the show to remain the same, with our titular Time Lord at the wheel of the TARDIS alongside a companion with a rich life of their own to join them on adventures.
With the universe as their oyster, stories should ‘balance high-concept science fiction with strong emotional narratives’ and stay a family show at the heart of it with ‘distinctly British storytelling’.
As for the nitty-gritty format of the revival, it adds: ‘We are flexible in the way the series is structured i.e. serialised or ‘story-of-the-week’ and the number of episodes which make up the series…’
What’s more, they are also not wedded to a ‘strict showrunner model’, a staple of the reboot with RTD, Steven Moffat and Chris Chibnall all taking up the mantle at one point or another.
The tender document concluded: ‘Doctor Who is a show that has sparked conversation, taken risks and inspired audiences for decades, and we are looking for this series to continue that tradition.
So, essentially, if the vision is strong enough, the playing field seems pretty wide open as long as pitchers remain true to the show’s DNA.
A final decision is set to be made in spring 2027.
The tender has been put out after the BBC’s collaboration with Disney Plus dissolved after just two seasons.
Since the show’s future has been cast under a dark cloud, several streaming giant CEOs have also been asked if they’ll take a chance on the show.
Prime Video’s UK scripted senior commissioner John Oliver declared he ‘loves Doctor Who, and welcomes any conversations around IP’ while Netflix UK content boss Anne Mensah echoed the sentiment, adding that she ‘thinks Doctor Who belongs on the BBC.’
Of course, while the future remains up in the air, there’s also a big question mark over whether the cliffhanger of Ncuti’s Doctor regenerating into Billie Piper will ever be resolved, with no one any the wiser.
With even a production company attaching themselves to the project still several months away, there’s still no word on who could be the next lead either.
The Rest is Entertainment star Richard Osman posed SNL UK breakout George Fouracres could be a strong contender.
Addressing the buzz, George told Metro: ‘It’s hard to talk about because… like, obviously that would be my biggest dream ever come true, ever. That would be obviously the thing I would probably most like to do in the universe.
‘Even the fact that people have brought it up is so flattering and so gorgeous to me as a fan of Doctor Who, a proper fan. The idea of fellow fans saying that about me is so massive to me and so lovely – I really appreciate it.’
So, there we have it. Doctor Who will be back on screens in just a handful of years with a whole new playground of monsters and characters to enjoy; now we have to wait and see who will win out.