Although the future of the main series is up in the air following the departure of Disney as a co-producer, cancellation of the planned Christmas Special and Russell T. Davies’ exit as showrunner, the Doctor isn’t going to be absent from the BBC schedules for too long as production is now officially underway on an animated Doctor Who series for CBeebies to introduce a new generation of fans to the iconic sci-fi property.
The preschooler-targeted show is being produced by Blue Zoo Animation, with co-founder and creative director of sister studio Brighton Zoo Dominic Minns serving as series director. Minns’ previous CBeebies work includes Supertato and Mojo Swoptops, while he’s also the creator of the BAFTA-winning digital children’s show Tee and Me.
“[This] feels like a huge and exciting next step,” said Minns. “My goal is to fully utilise the full talents of both Blue and Brighton Zoo to capture the epic scale and wonder of the series, while making it delightful, funny, and relatable for preschoolers. It’s an honour to be here.”
Further details are being kept tightly under wraps at present, but the series has received a 52 episode order, with 26 episodes set to air in 2027/2028 and a further 26 following in 2028/2029. It will mark the first animated series for the franchise, although it’s not the first Whoniverse spinoff to target younger audiences as the live-action The Sarah Jane Adventures aired on CBCC between 2007 and 2011, with Elisabeth Sladen reprising her fan favourite role as the Third and Fourth Doctor’s companion Sarah Jane Smith.
