Major New Doctor Who Bidders Emerge as Tender Battle Heats Up
Some major new names have emerged in the race to produce the next era of Doctor Who.
Several production companies have now submitted proposals after the BBC opened the competitive tender to decide who will make the next era of Doctor Who.
One of the most eye-catching names involved is Jed Mercurio, best known for creating Line of Duty and Bodyguard. According to Deadline, he is reportedly attached as an executive producer to a bid from Hat Trick Mercurio, the production company he runs with Hat Trick founder Jimmy Mulville.
Mercurio also has some sci-fi pedigree, having created the 1998 BBC series Invasion: Earth, not to be confused with the Peter Cushing Doctor Who film.
World Productions, the company behind Line of Duty, has reportedly submitted a separate proposal and is said to be leading ITV Studios’ attempt to win the production contract.
Another potentially significant bid comes from STV Studios, which Deadline reports has teamed up with Screen Scotland on a proposal that could move Doctor Who production to Scotland.
STV Studios also has a link to the Doctor Who family through Peter Capaldi, who stars in its Apple TV drama Criminal Record. The series is produced by Tod Productions, run by Capaldi’s wife Elaine Collins.
BBC Studios is also expected to be firmly in contention, with two of its production labels previously reported to be preparing bids. Scripted boss Jamie Hall recently suggested there was an opportunity for the programme to return to elements of its core appeal during the David Tennant and Matt Smith eras.
Deadline stresses that its list of bidders is not exhaustive, meaning other companies could still be in the mix.
Some major production companies have reportedly chosen not to bid, with concerns said to include the rights available and the scale of the commitment involved in producing Doctor Who.
For fans, the most important detail remains the timetable. The BBC’s tender asks bidders to present a vision capable of bringing Doctor Who back to screens in 2028 or 2029.
Interviews with bidders are expected to take place in January 2027, with the BBC aiming to award the production contract in March 2027.
