Doctor Who fans have reason to hope as a popular showrunner fronts a campaign to revive the beloved series, while a new animated version is also in development.
The long-running sci-fi series, first revived in 2005, is currently off screens after the BBC cancelled its 2026 Christmas special and Disney+ ended its deal with the broadcaster. The show is now out to competitive tender, as per BBC protocol, with the winner expected to be announced next March.
Mercurio's proposal
Jed Mercurio, showrunner for the hugely popular Line of Duty, is spearheading a bid to rejuvenate the series. According to Deadline, his production company Hat Trick Mercurio has submitted a formal proposal to reimagine the BBC sci-fi show.
If successful, Mercurio would take an executive producer role on the show's seventeenth season, though it is not clear whether he would become showrunner.
Animated spin-off announced
A new Doctor Who show, titled Doctor Who: TARDIS Crew, has also been announced. The animated series will air on CBeebies from late 2027 or early 2028, comprising 52 eleven-minute episodes.
It will follow the Doctor as a young Time Lord, alongside friends Hannah, Beastie, and Toast-IE, as they embark on otherworldly adventures through time and space.
Kate Morton, senior head of commissioning for CBeebies, said: “The TARDIS is ready for its youngest crew yet. Packed with imagination, humour and adventure, Doctor Who: TARDIS Crew will inspire children to be curious, courageous and kind as they explore incredible worlds across time and space.”
“It's everything families love about Doctor Who, wonder, excitement and endless possibility, reimagined for CBeebies' youngest explorers.”
Dominic Minns, serving as series director, said his appointment on the new spin-off “feels like a huge and exciting next step” that he’s “thrilled” to be part of.
