As the BBC continues to broadcast The War Between The Land and The Sea, it has also made progress on its second Doctor Who spin-off aimed at pre-schoolers. This TV show will air on CBeebies, and while the release date is still unknown, the British broadcaster shared an exciting production update, bringing this show one step closer to television.
RadioTimes reported that the BCC has partnered with Blue Zoo. This multi-Emmy and BAFTA-winning animation studio has produced titles such as The Adventures of Paddington, LEGO City: No Limits, and, most recently, Wonderblocks. According to a press release from the studio, production for this Doctor Who spin-off will begin in 2026, and 52×11 episodes have been commissioned.
Blue Zoo’s Co-Founder, Adam Shaw, commented on the latest announcement, stating that the studio is excited to take on the creative challenge and that it’s an honor to bring a “loved classic and a true British icon” to a new generation.
“This year, we celebrated 25 years of Blue Zoo so it’s an extra special honour to be given the chance to bring such a much-loved classic and a true British icon to a whole new generation of young viewers. Doctor Who means so much to so many people, and we don’t take that lightly at all. Reimagining something this legendary for a preschool audience is a brilliant creative challenge, and one we’re incredibly excited to dive into.”
Meanwhile, the Director of BBC Children’s & Education, Patricia Hidalgo, commented on Doctor Who‘s move to CBeebies, expressing excitement at bringing this sci-fi icon to a younger audience for the first time.
“We can’t wait to welcome the Doctor to CBeebies, introducing this beloved family favourite to our youngest audience for the very first time. This new series further strengthens our commitment to the British animation industry by championing homegrown productions with the potential to travel the world and, perhaps even through time and space.”
This isn’t the first time Doctor Who has been given the animation treatment. Season 15’s second episode, titled “Lux” had the Doctor (Nctui Gatwa) and his companion, Belinda (Varada Sethu), sent inside a movie, and were turned into classic animation. Additionally, as the BBC and fans continue to recover lost Doctor Who media, these episodes, which were nearly lost to time, are revived in animation.
What Do We Know About This ‘Doctor Who’ Pre-School Spin-Off?
Two months after the Season 15 finale of Doctor Who was released, the BBC has announced that it will be producing a Doctor Who spin-off aimed for pre-schoolers. The show will feature the Doctor “traveling through time and space for the pre-school audience, solving mysteries and problems alongside their companions and other friends.” At the moment, an official cast list has yet to be revealed, and it’s unknown who will be playing the Doctor in this spin-off, or which iteration of the Doctor it will feature. A release date for this spin-off has not yet been announced.
Doctor Who is available to stream on Disney+. Follow Collider for the latest updates.
- Release Date
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May 11, 2024
- Network
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BBC One
- Directors
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Alex Pillai, Peter Hoar, Ben Chessell, Julie Anne Robinson, Jamie Donoughue, Amanda Brotchie, Dylan Holmes Williams
- Writers
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Steven Moffat, Pete McTighe, Kate Herron, Inua Ellams, Juno Dawson
- Franchise(s)
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Doctor Who / Whoniverse
