Doctor Who Production May Relocate to Scotland Amid BBC Tender
STV Studios leads a bid to bring the iconic sci-fi series to Scotland, with a decision expected in March.
Scotland is being considered as a potential new production base for the BBC's long-running science fiction series, Doctor Who. STV Studios, based in Glasgow, has submitted a bid as part of a competitive tender process launched by the BBC to find a new producer for the show.
The tender requires potential producers to outline a vision for the series to return to screens in 2028 or 2029, ensuring Doctor Who remains "relevant, surprising, brave and inspiring." The BBC has stipulated that the show must be produced outside of London, following many years of production in Wales.
Among the other bidders reportedly involved is Hat Trick Mercurio, a company formed by Jed Mercurio, creator of the acclaimed series Line of Duty. Mercurio is understood to be attached to this proposal as an executive producer. World Productions, also a producer of Line of Duty, has submitted its own separate proposals.
A move to Scotland would align with the BBC's stated commitment to invest £100 million in drama production in Scotland over the next three years, a pledge made following criticism of the corporation's decision to cancel the Scottish soap opera River City.
Several production companies, including A24 UK, Playground, and Mammoth Screen, have reportedly opted not to bid due to concerns about associated rights and the scale of the commitment. Some industry insiders have suggested that the production is likely to remain with BBC Studios, with others expressing reservations about the challenges of revitalizing the franchise.
The BBC is expected to interview shortlisted bidders in January, with a contract award anticipated in March.
Doctor Who, first broadcast on November 23, 1963, was conceived by BBC executives and follows the adventures of a time-traveling alien known as the Doctor. The program has a history of Scottish connections, with actors like David Tennant and Ncuti Gatwa having played the Doctor, and Karen Gillan starring as a companion. Notably, King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the 2014 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow via a TARDIS replica.
The series has undergone several iterations, with a revival in 2005 under Russell T Davies bringing it back to mainstream popularity. The show's format allows for regeneration of the lead actor, contributing to its longevity. Its original run concluded in 1989 after 26 years, with a television film in 1996 preceding the 2005 revival.