Jed Mercurio bids to reboot Doctor Who for BBC
Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio wants to run Doctor Who. He has lodged an expression of interest with the BBC through Hat Trick Mercurio, his production venture co-founded with Hat Trick founder Jimmy Mulville. The bid was first reported by Deadline and detailed by Variety on Oct. 7.
The BBC has opened a competitive tender for the franchise, meaning producers must pitch for the job rather than the BBC appointing one team directly. Initial expressions of interest closed on Friday, Oct. 2. The BBC intends to narrow the field to a shortlist of four to five producers by Oct. 9, according to Variety.
Those shortlisted teams will then be asked to develop their ideas further. Each will submit a short editorial outline setting out a vision for the series. That document is the creative pitch. It covers tone, story direction and how the team would handle the central characters.
A small group of BBC executives will help make the choice. The selection team includes Lindsay Salt, Nick Lambon, Geraldine Atlee and James Dundas. The BBC aims to name its producing partner by March 2027. That is a long runway, and it reflects the scale of restarting a flagship programme.
The terms on offer are strict. The winning producer will work for hire, meaning it is paid to make the show while almost all rights stay with the BBC. The order covers a new series plus specials planned for transmission in 2028/2029. It also includes an option for a second season, which would allow the BBC to order more without reopening the contest.
There is one creative demand already on the table. Whoever wins must develop a new and distinctive companion. The companion is the Doctor's travelling partner on screen. The role helps new viewers find their way into the story and carries much of its emotional weight.
Mercurio is known to millions as the creator of Line of Duty, the police corruption thriller. Before television he worked as a hospital doctor. For viewers, this process means patience. No team is confirmed, no casting is decided, and cameras will not roll for some time.
