Doctor Who Bids Revealed as BBC Tender Nears Deadline
The fight for Doctor Who is on.
Three production groups have pitched to take over the BBC's long-running time-travel series. The BBC is offering the show through a competitive tender, meaning outside producers must bid for the job rather than being handed it. The contest follows the exit of showrunner Russell T Davies, the writer-producer in overall charge of a series, and producer Bad Wolf, according to Deadline.
One bid comes from Hat Trick Mercurio. The company is run by Jed Mercurio with Hat Trick founder Jimmy Mulville. Its proposal has Mercurio attached as an executive producer, the senior boss who oversees a production creatively and financially.
A second proposal comes from World Productions. The company wants to reimagine the series. It is effectively leading the effort by its parent organisation ITV Studios to land the contract.
The third bid pairs STV Studios with Screen Scotland. Their plan covers Doctor Who Season 17 and would move production to Scotland. The BBC has stipulated the show must be made outside London. Wales served as its home for many years.
That location rule will matter to crews and viewers alike. A move to Scotland would mean new studios, new hires and a new base for a programme long associated with Cardiff. It would also fit the BBC's wider push to make more programmes across the nations and regions.
Not every major drama maker wants the job. A24 UK, Playground, Mammoth Screen, New Pictures, Big Talk Studios, Expectation and Quay Street have all declined to bid. Initial submissions close on 8 October 2026, according to BBC Commissioning.
Separate from the main series, a Doctor Who cartoon for the youngest viewers is already set. Blue Zoo Animation Studio has secured the contract for a brand-new pre-school animation for CBeebies and BBC iPlayer, according to the BBC Media Centre.
For viewers, this means real change is coming. A new team will decide where the TARDIS is based and how the next chapter is made. The BBC chooses next.
