Doctor Who has officially been put out to tender, with the BBC revealing new details about what it wants from the next era of the long-running sci-fi series and confirming that new episodes are being planned for transmission in 2028/29.

The broadcaster is inviting production companies to pitch for a new multi-episode series, including specials, with the successful company potentially given the option to produce a second series at the BBC’s discretion. The BBC will continue to own all rights to Doctor Who and describes it as a “core part” of the BBC One schedule and a key title for BBC iPlayer. 

Initial applications close at 2pm on 2 October 2026, with eligible companies then invited to submit short creative proposals. A shortlist of around four or five producers is expected to be chosen in November, with the final decision currently scheduled for March 2027. 

The tender also offers the clearest idea yet of what the BBC wants from the next version of the show. Producers are being asked to create at least one companion alongside the Doctor, with the BBC looking for characters who have their own lives, relationships and ambitions rather than simply following the Doctor through the TARDIS. Stories should combine high-concept science fiction with emotional storytelling and include everything from historical adventures and alien worlds to contemporary Earth. 

There is plenty of flexibility too. The BBC says it is open to either serialised storytelling or a story-of-the-week format and has not fixed the number of episodes. Established villains can return, but producers are being encouraged not to rely too heavily on existing Doctor Who lore, with new characters, aliens and ideas expected to play an important part in the series. The tender also says the BBC is not necessarily looking to continue with a strict showrunner model. 

Production will need to qualify as a regional production, with the BBC stating a preference for Wales, where Doctor Whohas been based for much of its modern run. The broadcaster is also asking companies to set out plans for developing actors, writers, directors and other production talent as part of their proposals. 

The BBC sums up its ambitions for the next era with a simple instruction to potential producers: “Be brave, have fun.” While 2028/29 is currently the planned transmission window rather than a confirmed premiere date, the tender makes clear that the BBC is actively preparing for Doctor Who’s return.

For CultureCues, the long wait is not exactly what Doctor Who fans wanted to hear, but having a potential 2028/29 return in writing is at least something concrete. We are also glad to see the BBC encouraging new monsters and ideas while keeping the freedom to use the show’s history when it works. Whoever gets the keys to the TARDIS next has a pretty big job ahead of them, but we will definitely be watching.

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