The BBC has officially opened submissions for production companies interested in taking over the reins of Doctor Who, and a surprising name has emerged as a leading contender. Jed Mercurio, the acclaimed showrunner behind the popular BBC police procedural Line of Duty, is reportedly spearheading a bid through his company, Hat Trick Mercurio. This move comes after Hollywood screenwriter Dean Devlin had previously expressed interest in reviving the series.
Mercurio's involvement marks a notable shift, as his previous work has primarily focused on grounded crime dramas. However, he does have prior experience with science fiction, having created the 1998 miniseries Invasion: Earth. Deadline reports that Mercurio is attached as an executive producer to the bid, which aims to reimagine the long-running time-traveling show.
Another significant proposal comes from World Productions, a company known for producing the successful BBC political thriller Bodyguard. Simon Heath, CEO of World Productions, is leading this bid. While both Mercurio and World Productions have a strong track record in television, the challenge of revitalizing Doctor Who, a series with immense history and a dedicated fanbase, remains substantial.
The future of Doctor Who is uncertain, with one anonymous production chief telling Deadline that "If Jane Tranter and Russell T Davies can’t make sense of that show, then who can and who wants to? It feels like a thankless task." Despite the challenges, the competitive bidding process indicates continued interest in the franchise, potentially preventing a prolonged period without new Doctor Who content, reminiscent of the show's earlier "Wilderness years."