Doctor Who
Series 15
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Release
Original networkBBC One
Series chronology
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List of episodes

The fifteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who is expected to premiere in 2025. It will be the sixth series led by Russell T Davies as head writer and executive producer, and the second since his return to the show in 2023, having previously worked on it from 2005 to 2010. This series is set to be the fifteenth to air following the programme's revival in 2005, and will be the forty-first season overall.

This is the second series to star Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, an incarnation of the Doctor, an alien Time Lord who travels through time and space in the TARDIS, a time machine which appears to be a British police box from the outside. Millie Gibson is also set to reprise her role as Ruby Sunday from the previous series, but in a reduced capacity with Varada Sethu expected to be introduced as a new companion.

The series, which is set to be preceded by a Christmas episode in 2024, is due to consist of eight episodes, which are initially set to be directed by Alex Pillai and Peter Hoar. Filming commenced in October 2023.

Casting

See also: List of Doctor Who cast members

On 8 May 2022, Ncuti Gatwa was initially announced as Jodie Whittaker's successor as the programme's lead, who portrays the Fifteenth Doctor, although both would be bridged with David Tennant (who previously portrayed the Tenth Doctor) portraying the Fourteenth Doctor.[1][2] Gatwa confirmed that he would return for a second series in July 2023.[3] In November 2023, it was announced that Nicola Coughlan would appear in the 2024 Christmas special.[4] Along with Jonah Hauer-King being added to the series, Millie Gibson was revealed to be filming for her second series in November 2023,[5] though reports emerged in January 2024 that Gibson would be leaving the show after the fourteenth series, to be replaced by Varada Sethu.[6]

Production

Development

In May 2017, it was announced that due to the terms of a deal between BBC Worldwide and SMG Pictures in China, the company has first right of refusal on the purchase for the Chinese market of future series of the programme until and including Series 15.[7][8]

Similar to the fourteenth series, the fifteenth series will consist of a Christmas special to be followed by eight regular episodes.[9]

Writing

Davies was writing the 2024 Christmas special by December 2022,[9] and the fifteenth series by June 2023.[10] By October 2023, five of the nine scripts had been completed.[11]

Filming

Alex Pillai directs the first block, and Peter Hoar will direct the second block; Hoar previously directed "A Good Man Goes to War" (2011).[11] According to script editor Scott Handcock, the first block consists of one episode, the second block consists of two, and the third block consists of three.[12] Filming began on 23 October 2023,[13] with the 2024 Christmas special directed by Pillai.[14] Amanda Brotchie and Ben A. Williams will director further blocks.[15][16]

Production blocks are set to be arranged as follows:

Block Episode(s) Director Writer(s) Producer
1[14] 2024 Christmas special Alex Pillai Russell T Davies[9] TBA
2 Episode 4[5] Peter Hoar[11] TBA TBA
TBA TBA TBA
TBA TBA Amanda Brotchie[15] TBA TBA
TBA Episode 6[16] Ben A. Williams[16] TBA TBA

Release

The fifteenth series is expected to be released on BBC One in 2025.[11] The series will be released internationally on Disney+.[17]

References

  1. ^ Fullerton, Huw; Knight, Lewis (8 May 2022). "Ncuti Gatwa announced as the next Doctor in Doctor Who". Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Ncuti Gatwa is the Doctor". Doctor Who TV. 8 May 2022. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  3. ^ Laford, Andrea (11 July 2023). "Ncuti Gatwa speaks on his emotionally vulnerable role in Doctor Who". CultBox. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Nicola Coughlan Will Appear on 'Doctor Who' With Ncuti Gatwa, Russell T Davies Says". Variety. 10 November 2023.
  5. ^ a b Laford, Andrea (15 November 2023). "Millie Gibson films scenes for 2025 Doctor Who in Bristol". CultBox. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  6. ^ Yossman, K. J. (20 January 2024). "'Doctor Who' Star Millie Gibson to Be Replaced by Varada Sethu After One Season". Variety. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  7. ^ Fullerton, Huw (3 June 2017). "The BBC is already preparing for at least FIVE more series of Doctor Who". RadioTimes. Immediate Media Company. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  8. ^ "Doctor Who Gets Brand Boost in China" (Press release). BBC. 25 May 2017. Archived from the original on 21 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  9. ^ a b c Laford, Andrea (7 December 2022). "Russell T Davies reveals series plans to Doctor Who Magazine". CultBox. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  10. ^ Cremona, Patrick (22 June 2023). "Russell T Davies reveals 3-word teaser for Doctor Who season 15". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d Laford, Andrea (14 October 2023). "Russell T Davies teases Doctor Who 60th anniversary and 2025 Series news". CultBox. Archived from the original on 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  12. ^ Handock, Scott T (12 October 2023). "Production Diary". Doctor Who Magazine (596): 12.
  13. ^ @bbcdoctorwho (23 October 2023). "TARDIS at the ready! 🎬 Filming starts today on Ncuti Gatwa's second series as the Doctor" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ a b Laford, Andrea (31 October 2023). "Ncuti Gatwa films Doctor Who in Cardiff". CultBox. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  15. ^ a b Associates, Casarotto Ramsay &. "Julie Kendrick". Casarotto Ramsay & Associates. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  16. ^ a b c "Ben A Williams". Independent Talent. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  17. ^ Hayes, Dade (25 October 2022). "'Doctor Who' Moves To Disney+ Outside UK And Ireland Via BBC-Disney Branded Television Partnership". Deadline. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
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