BBC has revealed the first details for "Doctor Who: TARDIS Crew," an upcoming animated spinoff series designed to introduce younger audiences to the Doctor Who universe. The show is set to air on the British channel CBeebies and the BBC iPlayer streaming service.
The series description states that "Doctor Who: TARDIS Crew" follows a young Doctor and his companions, Hannah, Beastie, and Toast-IE, as they travel aboard the TARDIS, encountering creatures, exploring worlds, and facing familiar foes like the Daleks. The aim is to blend the excitement of Doctor Who with CBeebies' educational approach, fostering curiosity, courage, and kindness in young viewers.
"Doctor Who: TARDIS Crew" will consist of 52 eleven-minute episodes. It is currently in production at Blue Zoo Animation Studio, with Dominic Minns serving as Series Director. The series is expected to debut in late 2027 or early 2028.
This new animated venture arrives as the mainline "Doctor Who" series is undergoing a significant restructuring. Following a period where Ncuti Gatwa portrayed the fifteenth Doctor, the BBC announced in June 2026 that the planned 2026 Christmas episode was canceled to allow for a greater focus on the show's long-term future. The series is currently being put out to competitive tender, with production companies invited to pitch new directions. This process is expected to delay the return of the main series until mid-2028 at the earliest. The deadline for tender submissions has already passed as of October 1.
Previously, reports suggested that Disney had ended its partnership with "Doctor Who" in late 2025, with sources citing budget concerns and creative differences. Concurrently, former showrunner Russell T Davies and production company Bad Wolf announced their departure from the series. Despite these shifts, the BBC has committed to reinvesting in the franchise, ensuring its continuation.