After the BBC announced it’s seeking bids for the production of Doctor Who, reports suggest new episodes might not air until 2028, or even later.
The BBC is beginning a bidding process, inviting production companies to propose ideas for making the show. Currently, Bad Wolf helps produce the series alongside BBC Studios Productions, but that partnership isn’t likely to continue in the future.
According to a recent report from Deadline, the BBC hasn’t announced when the new season of Doctor Who will be released. Even once they do, it could still take as long as six months to fully prepare the show for release.
Deadline’s report notes that the six-month timeline is based on the length of time taken over the Casualty deal, when that show was also put out to tender.
Based on this, the publication notes that industry insiders think the show won’t return until 2028 at the very earliest, and that even this is considered an outside bet. One producer told the publication that Doctor Who could be rested for up to five years, which would mean a 2030 release date for a new season.
For now, this is all just speculation. However, Deadline’s report says that it contacted four respected UK drama producers to test their appetite for making Doctor Who, and all had serious reservations about the resource drain of making the series without owning the rights and potentially without additional US investment, as there was with the Disney deal.
Someone involved with Doctor Who recently compared it to successful franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek, which have lasted for decades. They believe Doctor Who is a similarly valuable asset for the BBC and that any current challenges are temporary, as long as the BBC handles things well.
After announcing a bidding process for the production of Doctor Who and cancelling the planned 2026 Christmas special, the BBC stated that Doctor Who is still a key program for them. They said this bidding process demonstrates their ongoing dedication to the show and will ensure it continues to be enjoyed by viewers for many years.
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Whatever the case, when Doctor Who does return it is not expected to be helmed by current showrunner Russell T Davies. Davies, who was in charge of the show from 2005 to 2010, and again from 2023 to 2026, confirmed his exit from the show in a statement on social media.
He announced his departure from Doctor Who, expressing excitement for the show’s future as the BBC opens up the production process to bids from different companies.
You can now watch Doctor Who on BBC iPlayer. For a complete guide to the show, including episode reviews from 1963 to the present day, details on the cast and crew, behind-the-scenes information, and exclusive content from the TopMob archive, check out our Doctor Who story guide.
Add Doctor Who to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for TopMob, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
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2026-06-11 15:35