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BBC Reveals What It Wants From Doctor Who’s Next Era as Fans Face a Lengthy Wait
The BBC has officially opened the tender process for the next era of Doctor Who, confirming that a new series is being planned for transmission in 2028/29. The BBC announcement and newly published tender document describe the commission as a “new flagship series of Doctor Who”, with producers invited to pitch a multi-episode run which can also include specials. The initial contract will cover one series, with the BBC retaining the option to commission a second. The BBC is leaving much of the format open. The number of episodes has not been fixed, and producers can propose either a serialised format or a more traditional story-of-the-week approach. There could also be a change behind the scenes. The tender says the BBC is “not necessarily looking to work to a strict showrunner model”, although individual episodic writers are still expected to be involved. Creatively, the BBC wants the next series to remain accessible to a broad family audience while delivering high-concept science fiction, emotional stories and the traditional “back of the sofa” scares associated with the programme. The tender gives no indication of the next Doctor’s gender, consistently referring simply to “the Doctor” rather than using gendered pronouns. It also asks bidders to outline their version of the Doctor as part of the creative proposal, leaving that element open at this stage. Familiar monsters and villains will still have a place. The tender describes iconic established villains as a mainstay of Doctor Who and says producers are welcome to use them, but the BBC also wants to see new characters, aliens and themes. It says the series should not become overly reliant on existing Doctor Who lore, suggesting the next era will balance returning favourites with new creations. The next producer will also be required to create at least one companion, while the production itself must qualify as an out-of-London regional production. The BBC states that it has a preference for Wales. The tender also sets out diversity and access requirements for the new production. The BBC expects production teams to meet a 25% diversity requirement, while bidders must show how they will recruit, develop and retain deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent both on and off screen. The award criteria also asks producers to consider on-screen diversity and representation across the UK. The tender process is expected to move quickly. Initial applications close on 2 October 2026, with a shortlist selected in November and full bids due in December. Interviews will take place in January 2027, with the BBC currently aiming to announce the successful production company in March 2027. The BBC has not revealed the budget publicly, although shortlisted companies will receive further financial information under NDA. For fans, the biggest new detail is the transmission window. While 2028 is not yet a confirmed return date, the tender establishes 2028/29 as the BBC’s current target for the next full era of Doctor Who.
