Doctor Who put out to tender by BBC

After months of speculation, the BBC has officially opened the tender process for the next era of Doctor Who, confirming a new series is scheduled for 2028/29.

“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,” the BBC said. “We are not necessarily looking to work to a strict showrunner model and would expect once in production that the series will also use episodic writers.”

The tender process is expected to move quickly, with initial applications closing on 2nd October, with a shortlist selected in November and full bids due in December. The BBC will announce the successful tender in March 2027.

Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have departed the series now that the Disney+ deal has ended, and the previously announced Christmas special will not go ahead as the BBC instead focuses on Doctor Who’s long-term future.

Whatever happens, BBC Studios will remain in control of the TARDIS, handling distribution, licensing, consumer products, digital, and immersive experiences.

Who would you like to win the tender for a new Doctor Who series? Let me know in the comments below.