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.

Doctor Who Pops! from Funko

Whovians (myself included) rejoice! Funko has announced its first new Doctor Who Pop! collection in seven years, featuring the Fifteenth Doctor.

You can pre-order Doctor Who Pops! that are still in stock today, with an estimated ship date of 18th November. The only exception is the exclusive Bronze Dalek (Metallic), which ships on 30th December.

Pre-order Doctor Who Pops! from Funko (affiliate link).

Are you collecting Doctor Who Pops! from Funko? Which characters would you like to see added in the future? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who legends launch the Pondcast!

Doctor Who legends Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) and Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams) have officially launched their new podcast, The Pondcast!

The duo, who played fan-favourite companions of the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith), will be featuring guests from the beloved BBC sci-fi series, including former showrunner Steven Moffat.

Whilst the date of the first episode hasn't been confirmed, the former co-stars launched their show on Monday with an Instagram account, with Darvill explaining: "We're going to be doing some chatting."

"And drinking tea," Gillan added. "Telling stories..."

You had me at drinking tea.

"And reminiscing," Darvill went on. "And generally having an absolutely lovely time."

Darvill and Gillan first appeared in The Eleventh Hour and remained on Doctor Who until their heartbreaking exit in The Angels Take Manhattan.

What are your favourite episodes featuring the Ponds? Will you be listening to The Pondcast? Let me know in the comments below.

Stargate producer on rebooting Doctor Who

The BBC is putting Doctor Who out to competitive tender after the Disney+ deal was not renewed and the departure of series showrunner Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf.

Dean Devlin, who co-wrote and produced Stargate and Independence Day, has responded to rumours that his production company, Electric Entertainment, is linked to a new series of Doctor Who with David Tennant purportedly reprising the titular role.

When approached by the Radio Times, Devlin said in a statement: "It is untrue that we have had negotiations with the BBC. Preliminary or otherwise. When the proper time comes when they are prepared to speak with people, we certainly hope to have a discussion with them."

The update follows an earlier post by Devlin on Facebook, in which he shared an AI-generated video featuring himself and various other former Doctor Who actors posing on the set of the TARDIS. "So BBC is putting Doctor Who out to tender," Devlin captioned the video. "Do you think they should partner with us at Electric Entertainment?"

What are your thoughts on Dean Devlin producing Doctor Who? Let me know in the comments below.

BBC cancels Doctor Who Christmas special

The Christmas special has been cancelled, leaving the future of Doctor Who in flux!

The second and final season of Doctor Who on Disney+ ended with the titular Time Lord (Ncuti Gatwa) seemingly regenerating into Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) in the wake of a season that was wibbly-wobbly due to reshoots and uncertainty. Sorry, not sorry.

Russell T Davies, the returning series showrunner who had successfully rebooted the beloved BBC sci-fi series in 2005, teased that all would be revealed in a Christmas special in 2026.

In a timey-wimey twist, the BBC has announced the cancellation of the festive special. The BBC, Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf have collectively decided not to go ahead.

Referring to the announcement many fans (myself included) feared, Davies explained: "We only cooked that up to guarantee a future when no one knew what would happen, but now we do know, there's no need for it.

"You'll have to wait a bit longer for new Doctor Who... but you'll be waiting for more Doctor Who than a one-off. So it's worth it!

"For the record: there was no script, I never wrote it, and no actor was ever approached to play the next Doctor."

I've long championed J Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5) as a potential series showrunner. After news broke on Wednesday about the future of Doctor Who, Straczynski took to social media to reiterate his previously stated desire for the role.

"A (relatively) quick note to respond to the (much appreciated) scores of (very nice) notes online regarding today's news about Doctor Who," he said.

"My interest and record is well-established; the only real question I think the BBC would (very fairly) ask is: would British fans be open to an American showrunner, even one who is legally a resident of the UK under a visa that allows me to work for in TV/film in the UK?

"I think so but I doubt they'd just take my word for it, nor should they. The fan community would have to have their (polite, constructive) say."

The production will now go out to tender.

HBO Max was rumoured to replace Disney+ as part of a broader co-production deal with the BBC, but that may have been nixed by the merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance. Apple TV is home to prestige sci-fi, and the current TARDIS interior wouldn’t look out of place in Cupertino. Just saying.

As a lifelong Whovian, it's all too easy to liken this news to the classic series cancellation in 1989! However, the media landscape and how we consume content have changed irrevocably. Doctor Who will be back on our screens and second screens sooner rather than later.

Tales from the TARDIS have been stuck in a nostalgia loop post-pandemic. Do you think J Michael Straczynski should be the next series showrunner? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who: The Movie at 30

30 years ago, Doctor Who: The Movie was broadcast on UK TV!

The movie began life when Amblin's Philip Segal took the idea to director Steven Spielberg (Jaws), who ultimately passed on the project. Segal, who had worked on seaQuest DSV, Earth 2 and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, partnered with Universal and Fox.

There was fevered press speculation about spider-like Daleks created with computer-generated imagery (CGI), as seen in Babylon 5 and seaQuest DSV.

In the weeks leading up to its eagerly anticipated premiere, I was scrambling to finish my final year dissertation (should have written about Doctor Who and Star Wars, but that’s a story for another time) and edit my video major for an undergraduate course in BA (Hons) Media Production at Bournemouth University.

The Anglo-American co-production is somewhat of a curiosity decades before Disney+, as it failed to relaunch Doctor Who before Russell T Davies’ successful reboot in 2005. Whilst it was a ratings success on this side of the Atlantic, the Fox Network did not order a full series despite The X-Files' popularity. However, it gave fans (myself included) Sylvester McCoy’s swansong as the Seventh Doctor and introduced Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor.

McGann channelled H.G. Wells’ Victoriana as the titular Time Lord and has subsequently reprised the role on television and for Big Finish (I’ve never listened to any of the audiobooks).

Eric Roberts, brother of Oscar-winner Julia Roberts, played The Master, which was stipulated for the US market.

That day in 1996 was the first and last time I watched Doctor Who: The Movie! Watching with housemates was a poignant farewell to 3 years of university life. I'm looking forward to watching the remastered movie in 4K UHD on Blu-ray.

Buy Doctor Who: The Movie at Amazon (affiliate link).

What are your memories of watching Doctor Who: The Movie? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who streaming on AMC+

Following the ending of the Disney+ deal after only two seasons, the future of Doctor Who has been in flux. However, AMC+ has signed an exclusive deal to stream the beloved BBC sci-fi series in the US.

“Doctor Who strengthens AMC+’s position as a destination for premium genre storytelling – curated franchises defined by iconic worlds, passionate fan bases and enduring cultural impact,” said Courtney Thomasma, Executive Vice President of AMC Global Media’s linear and streaming products. “We’re thrilled to welcome the Whoniverse into our home of fandoms, giving longtime fans a reason to return while inviting new audiences to discover one of television’s most beloved franchises.”

The streaming rights are for 13 seasons from 2005-2022, featuring Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi and Jodie Whittaker. It does not include classic serials or the two seasons starring Ncuti Gatwa as the titular Time Lord on Disney+.

“Doctor Who is one of the most beloved franchises in television, with a fanbase that spans generations,” said Lawrence Szabo, EVP of Content Sales, North America & LatAm, BBC Studios. “AMC+ has built a differentiated home for premium genre franchises and deeply engaged fandoms, making it the ideal exclusive U.S. streaming partner for these 13 seasons of Doctor Who. We’re excited to bring these adventures back to longtime U.S. fans and welcome new audiences into the Whoniverse. Allons-y!”

This announcement follows a Reddit rumour that the BBC has signed a three-series deal with AMC Global Media and Sony Pictures Television (owner of Bad Wolf) for a new series of Doctor Who. Production is expected to begin in 2027, with the first season slated for a global premiere in 2028.

Beginning 11th June, AMC+ will now be home to 13 seasons and 176 episodes (including specials) of the award-winning sci-fi series.

Are you looking forward to streaming Doctor Who on AMC+? Let me know in the comments below.

The Daleks' Master Plan special screening

The Daleks' Master Plan, starring William Hartnell as the First Doctor, has been an overwhelming success with fans (myself included) when two recently discovered episodes dropped on BBC iPlayer over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

It was such a thrill to watch the first three episodes of the classic serial with my dad, who had introduced me to Doctor Who during the Fourth Doctor's era.

Film is Fabulous! has announced that a special screening will be held at HOME Manchester:

"NEWS: Manchester Doctor Who Event

Film is Fabulous! is delighted to confirm that a special screening of three Doctor Who episodes will be held at HOME Manchester on Saturday, 23rd May 2026. The event will offer fans of the classic series the chance to experience the first three episodes of “The Daleks’ Master Plan”, two of which were recently recovered from a private film collection.

The RECOVERED Doctor Who Special will begin at 5pm, and close at approx. 8pm. The programme will include:

Introduction: Toby Hadoke

Screening: The Nightmare Begins (Broadcast: 13th November 1965)

Discussion: Hosted by Toby Hadoke, with John Franklin and Prof. Justin Smith.

Intermission

Screening: Day of Armageddon (Broadcast: 20th November 1965)

Discussion: Hosted by Toby Hadoke, with Tim Burrows and Gavin Rymill.

Intermission

Screening: Devil’s Planet (Broadcast: 27th November 1965)

Discussion: Hosted by Toby Hadoke with Peter Purves.

Film is Fabulous! is a charitable trust dedicated to preserving film collections."

For further information and to donate, visit Film is Fabulous!

Have you watched The Daleks' Master Plan? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

The Daleks' Master Plan now streaming

It's Good Friday for Doctor Who fans (myself included). The BBC has released two missing episodes of The Daleks' Master Plan, starring William Hartnell as the First Doctor, on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on the Doctor Who Classic YouTube channel in the US.

The recovery means that the first three instalments of a once totally missing 12-part story now exist. They provide a dark and gritty outing for the Daleks, who were being groomed by their creator, Terry Nation, for their own series, and life outside of Doctor Who. Indeed, The Daleks’ Master Plan was not sold by the BBC to overseas broadcasters.

Film is Fabulous! have collaborated with BBC Archives to enable these programmes to be returned to the BBC. BBC Archives has ensured that the original 16mm telerecordings are restored – meaning viewers will be able to watch them in the best possible condition on BBC iPlayer.

For further information and to donate, visit Film is Fabulous!

Have you watched The Daleks' Master Plan? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Lost Dalek episodes coming to iPlayer this Easter

Film is Fabulous! have recovered two missing episodes of Doctor Who, which feature William Hartnell in the title role. These are the first missing episodes of Doctor Who to be announced since 2013.

The episodes are from the serial, entitled The Daleks’ Master Plan. Written by Terry Nation, they were broadcast during the third season of Doctor Who. The serial starred William Hartnell as the Doctor, and Peter Purves as Steven Taylor. It also featured Nicholas Courtney as Bret Vyon, Adrienne Hill as Katarina, and Kevin Stoney as Mavic Chen.

The recovery means that the first three instalments of a once totally missing 12-part story now exist. They provide a dark and gritty outing for the Daleks, who were being groomed by their creator, Terry Nation, for their own series, and life outside of Doctor Who. Indeed, The Daleks’ Master Plan was not sold by the BBC to overseas broadcasters.

In addition to the recovery, the Film is Fabulous! team have organised a special event, at which the two restored episodes of Doctor Who will be screened. This celebration of vintage television will take place on Saturday 4th April. The full details will be published shortly. The two episodes will be on BBC iPlayer this Easter.

Film is Fabulous! have collaborated with BBC Archives to enable these programmes to be returned to the BBC. BBC Archives has ensured that the original 16mm telerecordings are restored – meaning viewers will be able to watch them in the best possible condition on BBC iPlayer.

Noreen Adams, director of BBC Archives, said: "BBC Archives has been working to restore the original recordings and update these to broadcast quality, ensuring fans can enjoy a little extra treat with their Easter Eggs this April."

Film is Fabulous! is a charitable trust run by film collectors, cinema lovers, and vintage television enthusiasts. Its primary objective is to ensure that vulnerable film collections held in the U.K. are preserved when private film collectors, and former industry professionals, pass away. Since 2023, the team have preserved many private film collections.

For further information and to donate, visit Film is Fabulous!

Are you looking forward to seeing the two missing episodes from The Daleks' Master Plan on BBC iPlayer? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who’s streaming future on HBO Max?

With the end of the Disney+ deal and a confirmed Christmas special starring Billie Piper and written by Russell T Davies later this year, the BBC has teased a potential new streaming partner for Doctor Who!

HBO Max. The streamer has a storied history with Doctor Who.

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC drama, was asked whether a new HBO partnership could extend to Doctor Who?

Salt told Deadline, “There are different ways of setting up a show. We just need to make sure we do it in the right way and make sure we take the right time to do it. Ultimately it’s one of the BBC’s most treasured brands, so it’s not going anywhere.”

One of the biggest questions now hanging over the BBC's beloved sci-fi series in the wake of the Disney+ deal ending is how it can continue with a significantly reduced budget.

Salt reflected on stepping into the role during a turbulent co-production market post-pandemic. “I managed to walk into this job when the co-pro market imploded and I’ve learned a lot about the tenacity of producers and writers to make things at all budget levels,” she said. “Things are getting funded in so many different ways now.”

"We’ll wait and see how we figure it out. HBO have been great partners creatively. There’s a lot of stuff that is changing out there."

In related news. HBO Max launches in the UK and Ireland on 26th March.

What do you think about Doctor Who on HBO Max? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who: The Movie remastered in 4K

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Doctor Who: The Movie has been newly restored from the original 35mm film elements, bringing this beloved adventure back to life like never before.



In 1996, Paul McGann debuted as the Eighth Doctor in Doctor Who, a feature-length co-production between the BBC and the American Fox network, more commonly known as The TV Movie.

This 90-minute feature was shot on film, and now, for the first time, all 219 reels of original film (totalling almost 200,000 feet!) have been pulled from deep storage in the US and meticulously scanned over 21 days, then restored by Paul Vanezis to provide a definitive 4K experience.

The TV Movie has never looked or sounded so good, with a 24-frame transfer to match the original film rushes, and immersive surround sound, rebuilt from the original raw sound elements.

Also starring Sylvester McCoy (the Seventh Doctor), Daphne Ashbrook (Grace), Eric Roberts (The Master), and Yee Jee Tso (Chang Lee), The TV Movie sees the Doctor’s regeneration triggered on an operating table, with surgeon Grace Holloway accompanying the new Doctor on an epic adventure to prevent the Master from stealing the Doctor’s future lives.

This 4K UHD edition will contain the 90-minute TV Movie in 4K, plus special features:

The ‘uncensored’ UK version.
The USA broadcast version.
Soundtrack in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and stereo.
Sylvester McCoy and Janet Fielding featurette.
3 New Featurettes with Daphne Ashbrook, Eric Roberts and Yee Jee Tso.
Two audio commentaries.
Isolated music score.
Production info text.
The Seven Year Hitch making-of documentary.
Paul McGann’s audition tape.
Alternate takes.
Electronic press kit and behind-the-scenes footage.
TARDIS tour.
BBC Trails.
And much more.

Upon original broadcast, The TV Movie was divisive amongst fans (myself included)! I was in my final year as an undergraduate and haven't watched The TV Movie since. However, McGann has subsequently reprised the role of the Eighth Doctor for Big Finish and on television, most memorably in The Night of the Doctor and The Power of the Doctor.

Pre-order Doctor Who: The Movie in 4K at Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to watching Doctor Who: The Movie in 4K? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who auction with Propstore

Doctor Who fans (myself included) can bid on memorabilia from the BBC's beloved sci-fi series.

Twenty per cent of the auction money will go to BBC Children in Need. The remaining will be reinvested in the storage and preservation of historic Doctor Who items for future generations.

“Doctor Who has always been a wonderful friend to BBC Children in Need, and we’re delighted to see the Whovian community come together once again,” said Tommy Nagra, Director of Content at BBC Children in Need. “Their support helps raise vital funds to make lives lighter for children and young people across the UK.”

For over 60 years, Doctor Who has captured imaginations, united fans of all ages, and become a cherished part of British culture. This auction celebrates that legacy, giving fans the opportunity to own a part of the beloved series and make a difference along the way.

The collection, which includes pieces from 2005 through to 2025, incorporating David Tennant's double tenure as the Doctor, and Ncuti Gatwa's more recent incarnation, will be auctioned online from Tuesday, until 19th February.

“Propstore is honoured to support BBC Children in Need with another Doctor Who auction,” said Stephen Lane, Founder and CEO at Propstore. “The 2025 Doctor Who charity sale earlier this year, and the response from fans was incredible. This new auction brings an even stronger selection, and we’re excited to see it raise even more for such an important cause.”

Will you be bidding on any of the Doctor Who props? Let me know in the comments below.

Blake's 7 reboot from Doctor Who director

Blake's 7 fans (myself included) have been here before.

The adventures of a band of freedom fighters battling a corrupt Earth Federation and stumbling upon an ultramodern alien starship, the Liberator, Blake’s 7 was the brainchild of Terry Nation. He was already fêted for creating the Daleks for Doctor Who and the post-apocalyptic series Survivors. The latter made for chilling viewing in lockdown.

Despite a restrictive budget and starting within a week of the original UK cinema release of Star Wars, Blake’s 7 was rarely short of ambition and quickly became a hit, averaging 9.22 million viewers for its first series. Nation had planned for the Daleks to appear in the second series, but this was blocked.

Talk of reboots has percolated for years. Back in 2013, Microsoft planned to bring the beloved sci-fi series to Xbox LIVE! However, Deadline reports a reboot is in the works from Doctor Who and The Last of Us director Peter Hoar.

“The Blake’s 7 story is legendary because they were given the [British police show] Softly, Softly slot that was intended for police drama with a budget intended for one big set and a few location shoots,” said double-BAFTA winner Hoar, whose credits include It’s a Sin and Umbrella Academy. “At the time it felt like it meant something. Those shows got into my veins. I could tell they didn’t have money but I was able to compartmentalize and enjoy the ride knowing that the sets wobbled.”

Hoar compares Blake’s 7 to Disney+ hit Star Wars: Andor, which he thinks is a success not because of its circa-$25 million per hour budget but “because of the integrity, wit and sophistication.”

On the subject of Doctor Who on Disney+.

“I don’t think anybody would doubt the skills at the front line of that show but something went wrong,” he added. “I think there were lots of areas you could point fingers at but ultimately it wasn’t a better show with more money. And that’s a good thing, because we haven’t got the money anymore, nobody has.”

Hoar has opened a "genre-based" production company, Multitude Productions, and has acquired the intellectual property (IP) for the iconic 1970s and 1980s cult sci-fi hit, along with executive Matthew Bouch and producer Jason Haigh-Ellery.

Bouch said: “We’re driven by our passions but also seeing that there is a gap in the market in the UK – particularly with the well-publicized dropping off of Doctor Who – for genre-based British IP.

“We look back at when we were young with a degree of nostalgia but also thinking about the 70s and 80s as we were growing up and the amount of genre material that was available, whether it was Blake’s 7 or the Narnia adaptation. We are looking to the international market and seeing if there is a way of dovetailing that British low-budget sensibility with international markets. We know in the U.S. there’s a big contraction and we all need to think about finding ways to make things more economical.”

Buy the original Blake's 7 series on Amazon (affiliate link).

Until a reboot is down and safe, what are your thoughts on Blake's 7? Let me know in the comments below.

A festive fishy Doctor Who tale

The War Between the Land and the Sea premiered last Sunday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the run-up to Christmas. It's great to see U.N.I.T. in a Torchwood-inspired spin-off series! I'm trying and failing not to crush on a certain fish lady!

Taking the Short View's Andrew Lewin, fellow Whovian and longtime blog collaborator, has risen from the depths to share his initial thoughts on the latest Doctor Who spin-off series, which brings to a close the Disney+ era.

Before taking a deep dive. Why not join us on The WELL?

Guest post by Andrew Lewin

Ready? Right, here we go...

I was somewhat wary of the basic concept of The War Between the Land and the Sea ahead of time! It felt .... I don't like the word 'woke', but the outline did seem to be very worthy and environmentally right-on, which made me worried that they might have lost sight of the entertainment aspect, as some of Russell T. Davies' standalone dramas have done in the past. Davies is not subtle when it comes to pushing a point that he's making.

So, two of the most vividly memorable moments in the first two episodes are (1) when leading Sea Devil (now known as Homo Aqua), Salt, spills onto the conference room floor the dead foetuses of her babies who have been poisoned by human pollution in the oceans; and then (2) at the climax of the second episode where she returns all the plastic waste from the oceans and has it tumble down into the human cities, in a scene that brings home the extent of the damage that humans have done to the marine environment.

It feels like these two scenes are the two that inspired the whole BBC/Disney+ co-production, around which the rest has been built up. So far, there have been a lot of ecological points being made, some of with a great deal of grandeur and spectacle thanks to the impressive budget, and those points have certainly landed, underscored by Hollywood composer Lorne Balfe's lush orchestrations. But there's not much else beyond that in terms of storyline, and not a great deal has happened that we couldn't have guessed or devised for ourselves.

One surprising thing is just how different The War Between the Land and the Sea is in tone and feel from the last two seasons of the parent show: Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor Who was painted in vivid primary dayglow colours, his huge smile lighting up the screen, the villains (like Maestro) cheerfully big and over the top.

Whereas in The War Between the Land and the Sea, the prevailing colour palette is "Gotham grim", and there are very few jokes or laughs or knowing quips. There were a couple of low-key mentions of the Doctor in the show, but as a whole, it didn't feel much like the same show, which is a worry.

Even in the original era of Whovian spin-offs in the 2000s, when we had Doctor Who, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures all running contemporaneously, there was a satisfying DNA through-line that connected all the different shows with the titular Time Lord. Not so much here.

I'm not sure where The War Between the Land and the Sea will go from this point onwards: there are three episodes to go, and at some point, it's going to have to come up with something original and exciting to carry it to the finish line. I hope it will be worth the effort, and I look forward to cheerfully eating these words of anxiety (and a few mince pies) when and if it duly delivers on its adult-themed premise.

For now, the show is relying heavily on Russell Tovey to make the drama work on an emotional level beyond mere shock and polemic. Fortunately, he's very good as always. I've been a fan of his for years, even before his supporting turn as Titanic midshipman Alonso Frame in Voyage of the Damned - back to Being Human at least. (I'm also watching the first season of John Le Carre drama The Night Manager from 2016, and guess who pops up in a small but key role in the first episode, looking outrageously young?)

And I always really like Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart as well - it's amazing to think the character has been in the show since 2012. It's a shame that the other members of the recurring U.N.I.T. cast (Colonel Ibrahim, Mrs Bingham) are getting so little to do other than standing around looking supportive.

However, the breakout actor/character is Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Ambassador Salt: a compelling performance and some astounding makeup/costume work. We've come a long way since the papier-maché heads used for the 1972 Sea Devils, which haunted my dreams as a kid. More than anything else, I look forward to seeing what they will do with Salt in the remaining episodes.

New episodes drop every Sunday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer and will be exclusively on Disney+ outside of the UK (where available) in 2026.

The War Between the Land and the Sea is available for pre-order from Amazon (affiliate link).

What are your thoughts on The War Between the Land and the Sea? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who spin-off sets sail

The War Between the Land and the Sea begins today.



Read the official synopsis:

"When a fearsome and ancient species emerges from the ocean, dramatically revealing themselves to humanity, an international crisis is triggered. With the entire population at risk, UNIT step into action as the land and sea wage war."

The five-part series stars Russell Tovey as Barclay and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt, with Jemma Redgrave, Alexander Devrient, Ruth Madeley, Colin McFarlane, Adrian Lukis, Patrick Baladi, Francesca Corney, Mei Mac and Vincent Franklin. Additional guest stars who can be spotted in the trailer are Waleed Hammad, Iestyn Arwel, Hannah Donaldson, Manpreet Bachu and Ann Akinjirin.

The Doctor Who spin-off series is darker in tone, similar to Torchwood, and features a soundtrack composed by Lorne Balfe (His Dark Materials). Soundtrack fans (myself included) can stream the soundtrack on Apple Music.

The War Between the Land and the Sea is available for pre-order from Amazon (affiliate link).

The double episode premiere of The War Between the Land and the Sea is preceded by a special edition of The Sea Devils and will be exclusively on Disney+ outside of the UK (where available) in 2026.

Are you looking forward to The War Between the Land and the Sea? Let me know in the comments below.

The Whoniverse goes to war this Christmas

On Friday, the BBC dropped an official trailer for The War Between the Land and the Sea.



Read the official synopsis:

"When a fearsome and ancient species emerges from the ocean, dramatically revealing themselves to humanity, an international crisis is triggered. With the entire population at risk, UNIT step into action as the land and sea wage war."

The five-part series stars Russell Tovey as Barclay and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt, with Jemma Redgrave, Alexander Devrient, Ruth Madeley, Colin McFarlane, Adrian Lukis, Patrick Baladi, Francesca Corney, Mei Mac and Vincent Franklin. Additional guest stars who can be spotted in the trailer are Waleed Hammad, Iestyn Arwel, Hannah Donaldson, Manpreet Bachu and Ann Akinjirin.

The upcoming Doctor Who spin-off series is darker in tone, similar to Torchwood, and features a soundtrack composed by Lorne Balfe (His Dark Materials). Fans (myself included) can listen to Barclay's Theme on streaming services ahead of the full soundtrack release.

The War Between the Land and the Sea is available for pre-order from Amazon (affiliate link).

The double episode premiere of The War Between the Land and the Sea is preceded by a special edition of The Sea Devils on 7th December and will be exclusively on Disney+ outside of the UK (where available) in 2026.

Are you looking forward to The War Between the Land and the Sea? Let me know in the comments below.

The Sea Devils return from the depths

The Sea Devils return in more ways than one next month in The War Between the Land and the Sea, a 5-part spin-off series, on 7th December, as the original 1972 serial gets a special edition on BBC Four.

Russell T Davies, Showrunner, Writer and Executive Producer says: “52 years after they first rose from the depths, it’s Sea Devil night across the BBC! A great idea never dies, and viewers young and old can now heed the warning: watch the seas!”

Fans are set to be transported back to 1972 with a newly re-edited version of the classic Doctor Who story The Sea Devils, airing on BBC iPlayer from 6am and BBC Four at 7pm on Sunday, 7th December, ahead of the foes’ highly-anticipated return in The War Between the Land and the Sea at 8:30pm on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

This new 90-minute blockbuster special condenses the original six-part adventure into a feature-length experience, with updated sound design by Mark Ayres, and an enhanced score featured in The War Between the Land and the Sea created by the legendary Lorne Balfe, which has been woven together with Malcolm Clarke’s groundbreaking 1972 music.

The Sea Devils stars Jon Pertwee, who played the Third Doctor between 1970 and 1974, alongside Katy Manning as companion Jo Grant, and features the iconic villain, the Master, played by Roger Delgado. Written by Malcolm Hulke and directed by Michael E. Briant, the story introduced audiences to the formidable aquatic species, the Sea Devils.

The War Between the Land and the Sea is available for pre-order from Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to The Sea Devils and The War Between the Land and the Sea? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who spin-off makes waves this Christmas

Doctor Who may not be returning until Christmas 2026, but a spin-off series emerges from the deep this holiday season with The War Between the Land and the Sea.

Russell T Davies, Showrunner, Writer and Executive Producer says: “This is a huge, spectacular Christmas treat, with heroes and monsters and battles and romance, in a world on the edge of disaster. And remember. Watch the seas!”

The five-part series will showcase how the world reacts when a fearsome and ancient species emerges from the ocean, dramatically revealing themselves to humanity and triggering an international crisis. Featuring a star-studded cast including Russell Tovey as Barclay, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Salt, Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, Ruth Madeley as Shirley Ann Bingham, Alexander Devrient as Colonel Ibrahim, and Colin McFarlane as General Austin Pierce.

Other previously announced cast members include Adrian Lukis, Patrick Baladi, Francesca Corney, Mei Mac, Vincent Franklin, Waleed Hammad, Iestyn Arwel, Hannah Donaldson, Manpreet Bachu, and Ann Akinjirin.

The upcoming Doctor Who spin-off series is darker in tone, similar to Torchwood, and features a soundtrack composed by Lorne Balfe (His Dark Materials). This is great news, as I was hoping Balfe would work on seasons one and two of Doctor Who on Disney+.

The War Between the Land and the Sea is available for pre-order from Amazon (affiliate link).

The double episode premiere of The War Between the Land and the Sea is on 7th December and will be exclusively on Disney+ outside of the UK (where available) in 2026.

Are you looking forward to The War Between the Land and the Sea? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who returns Christmas 2026

Following months of speculation, the BBC and Disney+ have parted ways after two seasons of Doctor Who.

Lindsay Salt, Director of Drama at the BBC, said: “We’d like to thank Disney+ for being terrific global partners and collaborators over the past two seasons, and for the upcoming The War Between the Land and the Sea. The BBC remains fully committed to Doctor Who, which continues to be one of our most loved dramas, and we are delighted that Russell T Davies has agreed to write us another spectacular Christmas special for 2026. We can assure fans, the Doctor is not going anywhere, and we will be announcing plans for the next series in due course, which will ensure the TARDIS remains at the heart of the BBC.”

With Disney+ no longer involved, will another streamer materialise? See what I did there, fellow Whovians? Rumours continue to surround Prime Video and Netflix. What about Apple TV? The Cupertino-based streamer has established itself as a home to prestige sci-fi, and the $4 trillion tech titan has money.

Before next year’s Christmas special, fans of the beloved series still have much to enjoy with The War Between the Land and the Sea heading to BBC iPlayer and BBC One later this year, as well as a brand-new animation series for CBeebies, which is in development.

The Doctor Who Christmas special will be produced by Bad Wolf with BBC Studios for the BBC.

What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below.