The BBC has announced when it intends for Doctor Who to return to screens, as it has posted a competitive tender invitation for the science-fiction show.
The broadcaster states that it is aiming to have “a multi-episodic series (including specials) for transmission in 2028/29”.
Production companies have until 2 October to send in an application laying out why they think they should take over production of the show. The BBC has said that it will broadcast the show and retain the rights, while it would be preferable to continue production in Wales, where it has been made since the 2005 revival.
James Pardon//BBC
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The BBC will notify the applicants that make the shortlist in January, and intends to announce who has won the tender in March.
The deal is currently only for the one season and specials, but the BBC may offer the option to do a second season at its own discretion.
The BBC previously teamed up with Disney and Bad Wolf, ran by former Who producers, to create the show, with the House of Mouse distributing it outside of the UK on its streaming platform.
That deal was for two seasons and spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea — which Disney still hasn’t released despite airing in the UK just before Christmas — and while Ncuti Gatwa said in an unaired moment on The Graham Norton Show that he was looking forward to filming a third season, it never happened.
The BBC stated in early 2025 that “the decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs”. However, the season 2 finale featured reshot scenes, including a “last-minute” one where Ncuti’s Doctor regenerated into someone played by Billie Piper.
BBC
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As part of the way the BBC works, Doctor Who had to put be up for competitive tender.
The same thing happened to Casualty after its own production contract expired, with the broadcaster’s own production arm BBC Studios winning the tender.
Doctor Who airs on BBC One in the UK, with classic episodes available via BBC iPlayer.
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Joe Anderton is a freelance news writer at Digital Spy, having worked there since 2016. In his time, he’s covered a host of live events and interviewed celebrities big and small. A big fan of TV and movies both mainstream and obscure, Joe also enjoys video games and in particular PlayStation. Joe currently does not use Twitter, but he only ever used it to tell people to watch the film Help! I’m a Fish.