BBC Studios could put two labels into Doctor Who tender race
BBC Studios could enter not one but two of its own production companies in the contest to make Doctor Who next.
Jamie Hall, the managing director for scripted at BBC Studios, told Deadline the commercial arm has “probably got one, potentially two companies” preparing bids. A label, in industry terms, is a production company owned by or attached to a larger studio. Hall declined to name them, but said he would be “100% happy” for more than one to join the race.
Hall added that he firmly believes the entire BBC group should reap the rewards of Doctor Who. His comments follow BBC Studios chief executive Tom Fussell’s earlier statement that the company would apply for the tender “with gusto,” as reported by Deadline.
The BBC opened an invitation to tender, meaning an open call for producers to pitch to make the show, in September 2026, according to BBC Commissioning. Initial submissions are due by 2pm on 2 October 2026. The tender document calls for a “relevant, surprising, brave and inspiring” new vision, with new episodes premiering in 2028-29.
It also allows independent producers to pitch without a traditional showrunner, the lead writer who oversees a whole series. Companies can instead propose a team of episodic writers sharing the work.
The contest follows a period of change for the long-running science-fiction programme. The two most recent seasons were made by Cardiff-based Bad Wolf, which is owned by Sony, and starred Ncuti Gatwa, according to Deadline. Bad Wolf took over production in 2023, after Doctor Who had previously been made by BBC Studios’ in-house drama team. The co-production deal with Disney+ has now ended.
Hall told Deadline the show will be off screen for two or three years while the next era is decided. A Christmas special for 2026, written by Russell T Davies and produced by Bad Wolf, was still in the plan as of July, the BBC said.
So who might bid? BBC Studios owns Clerkenwell Films, Lookout Point and House Productions outright, alongside its in-house drama label. Outside the BBC group, World Productions, which is owned by ITV Studios and led by Simon Heath, has previously indicated interest in the tender, according to Deadline.
For fans, this means a wait with a few stopgaps. The BBC has ordered a separate pre-school animation from Blue Zoo Animation Studio for CBeebies and BBC iPlayer. The main series, though, will not return until its new production team is chosen and new episodes are made. That decision will shape who writes it, who stars in it and where it is filmed for years to come.
