The twelfth series of Doctor Who, since its 2005 revival, is currently in production. This page is dedicated to everything we know so far. Anything that is fact will be presented in regular type, anything that's rumoured but looking likely will be written in italics. You'll find links throughout to original/external news stories and articles containing further information, where available.
Be warned there could be potential SPOILERS throughout.
So without further ado, let's get on with it.
Background Development
In April 2015, the then showrunner Steven Moffat confirmed that Doctor Who would run for at least another five years, extending the show until 2020.
In May 2017, just as production was wrapping on the Moffat era, a new deal between BBC Worldwide and SMG Pictures in China came to light, giving the company the first right of refusal on the purchase for the Chinese market of future series of the programme until and including Series 15. At that point in time it meant the BBC was planning for at least five more seasons of Doctor Who, presumably under the incumbent showrunner Chris Chibnall. Which brings us to...
Writers
Chris Chibnall is set to return as Doctor Who showrunner, the role he took on following Steven Moffat's departure after the tenth series. This role seems him as essentially the head writer for the series. For series eleven he wrote five of the ten scripts, and the New Years Day special, plus co-wrote another. Expect a similar level of input for series twelve.
Ed Hime, who wrote the penultimate episode of the previous series, "It Takes You Away", is set to write an episode for the series.
Nina Métivier, who served as script editor on the previous series, is set to write an episode for this series.
Other potential writers include Mark Gatiss, who has insisted that the door has been left open for him to return, having penned many a script for the series under both Moffat and Russel T Davies.
Chris Chibnall very sweetly emailed me and said he'd love me to continue because I'm a big part of the Doctor Who family, which I was very touched by. I must admit, the idea of not writing for it again is very strange.Prior to series eleven Gatiss stated that...
I'd just like to enjoy [series eleven] and have a proper break, then maybe, if Chris wants me, I might do something.Neil Gaiman has also confirmed that he's keen to write for Jodie Whittaker's Doctor.
Main/Recurring Cast
Series twelve will be the second to feature Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor. In addition, Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill will also reprise their roles as Graham O'Brien, Ryan Sinclair and Yasmin Khan, respectively.
Jo Martin is believed to be in two episodes, playing a character called Ruth Clayton.
Maxim Baldry, who was recently in the Russell T Davies drama Years and Years, had a listing on his online CV for multiple episodes of Doctor Who series twelve. This was quickly removed, along with a July 1st post on his Instagram showing him and others in 19the Century attire. The same day filming for a period set Doctor Who episode took place in Bridgend, Wales.
Broadcast Date
After the eleventh series finale, the BBC confirmed that Doctor Who would return in "very early" 2020.
However, there are now strong rumours of an additional episode being produced, which may be a Christmas 2019 special. Chibnall does like to keep spoilers under wraps and the lid tightly shut on as many production details as possible, so announcing a last minute Chirstmas episode in, say, November 2019 as the festive schedules are released would not be entirely out of his realm.
It is unknown if series twelve will also be shown on Sunday nights, as series eleven was. Several tabloid reports state the BBC are looking to move it back to the traditional Saturday night slot becasue of a steady slide in ratings for the last series.
There is a feeling families are freer to watch on Saturdays than Sundays, when kids have homework to finish. While the show rated well overall, there were concerns over the decline in audience. Returning to Saturdays is being discussed as a likely option.
Filming & External Locations
#DoctorWho is back in production! 🎬🎉 pic.twitter.com/vouZZfMuTV— Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) January 23, 2019
On November 17th 2018, the BBC confirmed that production on the series twelve of Doctor Who had begun, with the first block of filming itself commencing on January 23rd 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. Filming in South Africa ended on 7 February 2019. As well as the official Twitter accounts announcement (above), Chris Chibnall released a short statement...
We’re off again! Well, we never actually stopped – as Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor and friends have been winning the hearts of families across the nation this autumn, we’ve been busy with a whole new set of action packed adventures for the Thirteenth Doctor.Filming then took place in Cardiff, Wales between 10 and 11 February 2019. Cardiff Central Police Station, was set-dressed as Hallamshire Police in Sheffield for filming on 11 March 2019. The Glamorgan Building at Cardiff University was set-dressed as a Nazi-occupied Paris for filming on 19 and 20 March 2019. Filming took place on Pomeroy Street in the Butetown section of Cardiff on 23 July and on Spencer Street on 5 August.
Series Twelve filming took place at the Guildhall in Swansea, Wales between 18 and 19 February 2019.
Filming took place at Cardiff Bay on 30 May 2019.
Filming also took place in Merthyr Mawr, Bridgend on 28 June and 1 July.
Filming has also taken place in Tenerife and Gloucester.
Directors / Filming Blocks
Jamie Stone (who previously directed the fiftieth-anniversary minisode The Last Day) is the director for the first block, which comprised the first and fifth episodes of the series. It's rumoured that a third episode was filmed during this block, most likely entirely internally on a closed set and potentially the rumoured Christmas 2019 special. Stone will also return to direct the fifth block, which includes the ninth and tenth episodes.
Lee Haven Jones directed the second block, consisting of episodes two and three.
Nida Manzoor directed the third block.
Emma Sullivan had directed block four.
Presumably the last two directors are filming episodes 4, 6, 7 & 8, It is just not known in what order they were filmed at this time.
Returning Monsters/Characters
After the almost complete reinvention/overhaul for series eleven, series twelve is said to be a return to more familiar ground, with elements apparently hearkening back to the Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat eras. Hence, there are a whole host of rumoured characters said to be returning for series twelve, from Rose Tyler to John Simm's Master.
Rumours aside, what we do know is that Chibnall is now open to the idea of some returning monsters teasing that "maybe we'll do some classic monsters", after his debut series as showrunner was entirely absent of any returning foes, until the New Years Day special bought back the Daleks.
In May 2019 it was confirmed that the Judoon will meet the thirteenth Doctor, with Chiball announcing...
No! Sho! Blo! The Judoon are storming back into Doctor Who in full force, and the streets of Gloucester aren’t safe. If anyone has anything to hide, confess now. The Judoon are taking no prisoners, and will stop at nothing to fulfil their mission! The whole team on Doctor Who are delighted and scared in equal measure to welcome them back: one of many treats we’ve got in store for viewers next series.The Radio Times ran a story claiming that classic foes The Cybermen will be back to menace the Doctor in the new series, in a 19th-century-set episode that will see them inspire author Mary Shelley to create the character of Frankenstein. This was even "confirmed" by a source talking to British tabloid The Mirror. It's still a rumour at this point but an entry on IMDB for episode 8 seems to confirm the Cybermen's return as Nicholas Briggs is listed as providing the voice of the Cybermen.
UPDATE: August 23rd 2019 - We have confirmation of the Cybermen's return, thanks to a keen eyed fan who spotted them on a location shoot...
The Cybermen's design seems to be slightly different to any seen before. It's believed that these scenes are for the series 12 finale.
Also, the IMDB entry for episode five of the upcoming series currently has an actor listed as playing a Sea Devil. Maybe there will be a return for the Silurians aquatic cousins.
Trailers
There are no trailers, or released footage, for Doctor Who series twelve as yet.
Episodes
Christmas 2019 Special - Title: Unknown
Director: Jamie Stone
Written By: Chris Chibnall
Synopsis: Unknown
Notable Guest Stars: Stephen Fry (or possibly episode 1?)
Broadcast Date: TBC
1. Title: Unknown
Director: Jamie Stone
Written By: Chris Chibnall
Synopsis: Unknown
Notable Guest Stars: Stephen Fry (or possibly potential Christmas 2019 episode?), Dominique Maher as Browning, Darron Meyer as Seesay, Ronan Summers as Rendition Man
Broadcast Date: TBC
2. Title: Unknown
Director: Lee Haven Jones
Written By: Unknown
Synopsis: Thought to be set during WWII. Noor Inayat Khan was the first female wireless operator to be sent from Britain into occupied France to aid the French Resistance during World War II, and is Britain’s first Muslim war heroine.
Notable Guest Stars: Aurora Marion as Noor Inayat Khan, James Buckley as Nevi
Broadcast Date: TBC
3. Title: Unknown
Director: Lee Haven Jones
Written By: Ed Hime
Synopsis: Unknown
Notable Guest Stars: Will Austin as Vorm, James Buckley as Nevi
Broadcast Date: TBC
4. Title: Unknown
Director: Nida Manzoor or Emma Sullivan
Written By: Unknown
Synopsis: Unknown
Notable Guest Stars:
Broadcast Date: TBC
5. Title: Unknown
Director: Jamie Stone
Written By: Unknown
Synopsis: Unknown
Notable Guest Stars: Matthew Rohman as Sea Devil
Broadcast Date: TBC
6. Title: Unknown
Director: Nida Manzoor
Written By: Unknown
Synopsis: Judoon to appear
Notable Guest Stars: Nicholas Briggs as Voice of Judoon, Paul Kasey as Judoon Captain, Jo Martin as Ruth Clayton, Julia Foster as Marcia
Broadcast Date: TBC
7. Title: Unknown
Director: Nida Manzoor or Emma Sullivan
Written By: Unknown
Synopsis: Unknown
Notable Guest Stars:
Broadcast Date: TBC
8. Title: Unknown
Director: Nida Manzoor or Emma Sullivan
Written By: Unknown
Synopsis: The Cybermen are returning in a 19th-century-set episode that will see them inspire author Mary Shelley to create the character of Frankenstein.
Notable Guest Stars: Nicholas Briggs as Voice of the Cybermen
Broadcast Date: TBC
9. Title: Unknown
Director: Jamie Stone
Written By: Unknown
Synopsis: Unknown
Notable Guest Stars:
Broadcast Date: TBC
10. Title: Unknown
Director: Jamie Stone
Written By: Chris Chibnall
Synopsis: Unknown
Notable Guest Stars: Jo Martin as Ruth Clayton
Broadcast Date: TBC
That's everything we know at this stage, but as we hear of any news surrounding the upcoming series twelve of Doctor Who we will update this page, so check back soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment