Hat Trick Mercurio, STV Studios Bid to Produce Doctor Who in BBC Tender
The BBC will interview bidders in January and award the Doctor Who production contract in March after submissions closed last Friday.
Several production companies submitted competing bids to produce Doctor Who after the BBC launched a tender process for the series, with submissions closing last Friday, according to deadline.com.
Hat Trick Mercurio put forward a proposal with Jed Mercurio attached as an executive producer. World Productions submitted separate plans to reimagine the show and is effectively spearheading ITV Studios' effort for the contract, while STV Studios bid to move Doctor Who to Scotland for Season 17, teaming up with Screen Scotland.
The BBC asked producers to detail a vision for Doctor Who that can return to screens in 2028-29. Interviews with bidders will take place in January, and the BBC will award the contract in March.
A24 UK, Playground, Mammoth Screen, New Pictures, Big Talk Studios, Expectation and Quay Street are among the producers not bidding.
Background
Showrunner Russell T Davies and producer Bad Wolf abandoned Doctor Who, requiring a dramatic refresh, and the BBC stipulated that the show must be made outside London after Wales served as its home for many years. In October 2025, the BBC faced criticism for axing Scottish soap River City while saying it would spend £100M on drama in Scotland over three years.
Quick answers
When will the BBC decide who produces Doctor Who?
Interviews with bidders will take place in January and the BBC will award the contract in March.
When could new Doctor Who episodes return to screens?
The BBC said producers should detail a vision for Doctor Who that can return to screens in 2028-29.
Which companies submitted bids to produce Doctor Who?
Hat Trick Mercurio, World Productions and STV Studios are among the producers that submitted proposals.