The Cbeebies animated series of Doctor Who has appointed a director as production commences.

      While the future of the main series remains uncertain following Disney's exit as a co-producer, the cancellation of the planned Christmas Special, and Russell T. Davies stepping down as showrunner, the Doctor will not be missing from BBC schedules for long. Production has officially begun on an animated Doctor Who series for CBeebies, designed to introduce a new generation of fans to this iconic sci-fi series.

      The preschool-focused show is being created by Blue Zoo Animation, with Dominic Minns, co-founder and creative director of the sister studio Brighton Zoo, acting as series director. Minns has previously worked on CBeebies projects such as Supertato and Mojo Swoptops, and he created the BAFTA-winning digital children's program Tee and Me. “This feels like a huge and exciting next step,” said Minns. “My aim is to leverage the full talents of both Blue and Brighton Zoo to capture the epic scale and wonder of the series while making it engaging, humorous, and relatable for preschoolers. It's a privilege to be involved.”

      Though specific details are currently being kept confidential, the series has been ordered for 52 episodes, with 26 episodes expected to air in 2027/2028, followed by another 26 in 2028/2029. This will be the franchise's first animated series, although it is not the first Whoniverse spinoff aimed at younger viewers; the live-action series The Sarah Jane Adventures aired on CBBC from 2007 to 2011, featuring Elisabeth Sladen reprising her beloved role as Sarah Jane Smith, companion to the Third and Fourth Doctors.

      About Gary Collinson: Gary Collinson is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Flickering Myth. He is a writer and producer of film, television, and digital content, with projects including the gothic horror feature The Baby in the Basket, the suspense thriller Death Among the Pines, and the horror franchise reboot Robert Returns. He is also the author of Holy Franchise, Batman! Bringing the Caped Crusader to the Screen.