Doctor Who season 11 air date, cast, episodes and everything you need to know

The Peter Capaldi era is over – as is Steven Moffat’s tenure as Doctor Who showrunner. We’ve had the Christmas special and now the new series is finally here!

Here’s everything we know about series 11.

Doctor Who season 11 release date: When will it air?

Departing its traditional Saturday night slot for the first time since the series was revived in 2005, Doctor Who has moved to Sundays, with the first episode ‘The Woman Who Fell to Earth’ airing on Sunday, October 7at 6.45pm on BBC One.

It was a ratings smash, pulling in a phenomenal overnights of 8.2 million, with a final consolidated audience of 10.9m, making it Doctor Who‘s biggest series launch ever!

(From episode two onwards, the series will air at the slightly later time of 6.55pm.)

New showrunner Chris Chibnall said: “New Doctor, new home! Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor is about to burst into Sunday nights — and make the end of the weekend so much more exciting.”

The decision to move to Sundays was apparently “very much” a decision made by BBC “high-ups”.

Capaldi’s last episode – and that of Steven Moffat, series boss since 2010 – aired on Christmas Day at 5.30pm on BBC One.

As the regeneration game goes, it was a winner.

Broadcast had previously suggested in an interview with Moffat that Doctor Who wouldn’t be back again until Autumn 2018, with Moffat himself also citing “the autumn of 2018” as a potential launch date in a later interview with Doctor Who Magazine.

This rough transmission date was eventually confirmed by the BBC itself in October 2017.

Previously, whenever the show has launched in the autumn, it’s started filming in the first week of that year – though shooting on series 11 began a little earlier than January 2018, commencing in late 2017 – around November time.

There was some international filming, too, with a three-week shoot in South Africa – the country will represent “a couple of different worlds” on-screen.

Doctor Who season 11 trailer: The universe is calling

Here’s the newest trailer, for episode 11×03, ‘Rosa’ – the Doctor and her friends take their first trip back in time together, where they meet civil rights activist Rosa Parks and run into an alien interloper!

We had our very first glimpse of Jodie’s Doctor and the TARDIS crew in a specially-filmed teaser for the World Cup final.

As Ryan (Tosin Cole), Yasmin (Mandip Gill) and Graham (Bradley Walsh) go about their day-to-day lives, each gets a sign from the Doctor that all is not as it seems. Looks like new adventures are on the cards for all of them…

And then at Comic-Con, we got our first proper look at the new era of Doctor Who as we see the Doctor adjust to her new body and companions. “All of this is new to me,” she admits. “New faces. New worlds. New times. So, if I asked — really, really nicely — would you be my new best friends?”

Yes, yes we will.

Another specially-shot teaser, released a month ahead of the premiere, saw Jodie’s Doctor literally break a glass ceiling. Not all that subtle, but it sure made a point!

The second trailer to feature footage from the actual series dropped on September 20, providing brief glimpses of new episodes set on alien planets, in the future and in outer space, as well as a new peek at the revamped sonic screwdriver.

Doctor Who season 11 cast: Who will play the new Doctor?

Though he apparently came close to signing up for a fourth series, Capaldi regenerated last festive season… which means Chibnall’s first and most important job as showrunner has been to cast a new Doctor.

The Broadchurch writer has teamed up again with Jodie Whittaker, who becomes the first female star to play the iconic sci-fi role in Doctor Who‘s 54-year history. (Casting a woman was apparently a condition of Chibnall accepting the job as series boss.)

After months of auditions, she made her debut as the Thirteenth Doctor in the 2017 Christmas special with just two words in that unmistakable Yorkshire accent.

“Oh, brilliant.”

(According to Jodie, there was never any talk of her playing the part in anything but her natural speaking voice.)

“I’m beyond excited to begin this epic journey – with Chris and with every Whovian on this planet. It’s more than an honour to play the Doctor,” she said.

“It means remembering everyone I used to be, while stepping forward to embrace everything the Doctor stands for: hope. I can’t wait.”

“I always knew I wanted the Thirteenth Doctor to be a woman and we’re thrilled to have secured our number one choice,” Chibnall added. “Her audition for The Doctor simply blew us all away.

“Jodie is an in-demand, funny, inspiring, super-smart force of nature and will bring loads of wit, strength and warmth to the role. The Thirteenth Doctor is on her way.”

Whittaker demanded the same pay as her predecessor Capaldi, noting that right now is “an incredibly important time” for women and that “the notion [of equal pay] should be supported”.

It’s unclear how many series she’s signed up for: Jodie’s said that she’s “not allowed” to discuss her Doctor Who deal in detail. But she did later let slip that the idea of “not doing it… seems like such a long time off.”

Whittaker’s striking outfit as the new Doctor was revealed on November 9, 2017, along with a first look at her slightly redesigned TARDIS (no St. John’s ambulance badge, plus the old ‘Pull To Open’ sign is now dark blue rather than white).

A second, similar image – but from a different angle – was unveiled on January 11, 2018 – posted by the Beeb on social media, it was accompanied with the caption: “Looking to the future…”

A little over a month later and Doctor Who revealed its striking new logo and insignia.

The only thing missing was the trusty sonic screwdriver and the BBC unveiled the new version during Comic-Con.

We had to wait until episode two of the new series aired to get our first glimpse of the revamped TARDIS control room – all burnt orange and fluorescent blue, it’s a part-mechanical, part-crystal structure, with quirks including a miniature TARDIS model that forms part of the console and… a custard cream dispenser!

Chibnall said early on that he had “a very clear sense” of what he’s “going to do” with the series. “We’ll cast the role in the traditional way,” he insisted. “[We’ll] write the script, then go and find the best person for that part in that script. You couldn’t go out and cast an abstract idea.”

Jodie’s casting ended months of speculation about who would be next to take control of the TARDIS, with former Doctor Who boss Russell T Davies letting it slip in early June that he knew who the next Doctor will be.

Among those to throw their hat into the ring before the announcement were Anthony Head, Sacha Dhawan and Alexander Siddig. Some went as far as to rule themselves out – including Richard Madden, Maxine Peake, Adrian Lester and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

The bookies, meanwhile, initially favoured Kris Marshall – who notably exited his long-running role on BBC One’s Death in Paradise earlier this year.

Before Jodie was announced as the Thirteenth Doctor, there had been considerable speculation that Doctor Who would have its first female lead – and Capaldi was among those who said he was keen on the idea.

“Anyone who has seen Jodie Whittaker’s work will know that she is a wonderful actress of great individuality and charm,” Capaldi added of his successor after the news broke.

“She has above all the huge heart to play this most special part. She’s going to be a fantastic Doctor.”

Doctor Who season 11 cast: Who will be the companion?

Chibnall’s not just introducing a new Doctor, he’s invented his own companions too.

The 13th Doctor’s new friends are Yasmin (Mandip Gill), Ryan (Tosin Cole), and Graham (Bradley Walsh) – yes, we”ve got a full-fledged TARDIS team!

They’ll be the best of friends, and nothing more, with Whittaker ruling out any romance between any of the TARDIS crew this series. The character of Ryan, though, is breaking new ground, as a companion living with dyspraxia.

Tabloid speculation had first linked 57-year-old actor and TV host Walsh to a companion role in August of 2017.

Now best known as the host of hugely popular ITV game show The Chase, Walsh has been acting for almost 20 years, winning awards for his performance as copper Ronnie Brooks in ITV’s Law & Order: UK, the first series of which was overseen by Chris Chibnall.

Former Holby City star and Olivier Award winner Sharon D Clarke will also join Doctor Who for the next series, appearing in the “returning role” of Ryan’s grandmother and Graham’s wife Grace.

Back in April, the BBC refused to comment on tabloid reports that Pearl Mackie would be leaving the series, but series 10’s finale ‘The Doctor Falls’ did indeed see Bill Potts depart the TARDIS, to go travelling the universe with her love interest Heather (Stephanie Hyam).

She returned (sort of) in the 2017 Christmas special ‘Twice Upon a Time’ – before bowing out for good. “That’s it – Christmas special, last chance to see Bill,” Mackie confirmed in July at San Diego Comic-Con. “But, I mean, hey, it’s Doctor Who, so never say never!”

The Christmas episode also gave us the last of Matt Lucas as Nardole, with the actor confirming his departure on Twitter and in an official BBC video.

Michelle Gomez has likewise confirmed that she’ll definitely be retiring from the role of Missy after series 10 – so if Chibnall wants to use the Master in 2018, he’ll be looking at another recast.

Chibnall’s also ruled out further appearances from old favourites River Song (Alex Kingston) and the Paternoster Gang – Vastra (Neve McIntosh), Jenny (Catrin Stewart) and Strax (Dan Starkey).

Doctor Who season 11 cast: Who are the guest stars?

A trailer at the close of the series premiere teased a whole host of famous faces, including…

– Mark Addy

– Julie Hesmondhalgh

– Shane Zaza

– Shobna Gulati

– Shaun Dooley

– Brett Goldstein

– Josh Bowman

– Siobhan Finneran

– Lee Mack

– Lois Chimimba

– Susan Lynch

– Hamza Jeetooa

– Art Malik

– Suzanne Packer

– Vinette Robinson

– Amita Suman

– Ben Bailey Smith

– Phyllis Logan

– Alan Cumming

– Chris Noth

‘The Women Who Fell to Earth’ featured guest appearances from Sharon D Clarke, Johnny Dixon and Samuel Oatley.

Episode 2, ‘The Ghost Monument’, featured Malik (The Jewel in the Crown, Holby City), Lynch (Save Me, Killing Eve) and Dooley, joining his former Broadchurch co-star Whittaker on the show.

Robinson (Sherlock) will play Rosa Parks in ‘Rosa’, which also features Revenge actor Bowman. Gulati and Noth will appear in episode 4, ‘Arachnids In The UK’, while episode 5 ‘The Tsuranga Conundrum’ will star Packer, Bailey Smith, Goldstein and Chimimba.

Zaza, Suman and Jeetooa have all been cast in episode 6, ‘Demons Of The Punjab’.

Cumming let slip in March 2018 that he’ll be appearing as the the Scottish monarch King James I, describing the character as “a baddie” who could reappear on the series.

Later that same month, comedian and actor Mack also revealed that he would be appearing in a small role in series 11. “I am blink-and-you’ll-miss-it,” said the Not Going Out star. “It’s just a little thing.”

Doctor Who season 11 rumours: From bookies’ odds to fan favourites

Of course, the instant that one Doctor announces they’re leaving, the bookies and fans are out in force with suggestions as to who’ll replace them… ranging from the reasonable to the utterly absurd.

Everyone from Ben Whishaw to Tilda Swinton to Katie bleedin’ Hopkins was apparently in contention. If you’re looking for a complete list of every single person who was rumoured to replace Peter Capaldi, we’ve got you covered.

Doctor Who series 11 spoilers: Do we know any plot details?

Though the production team insisted that there’d be no ‘Bad Wolf’-esque story arc across the series, the mystery of the “Timeless Child” was introduced in episode 2 and seems set to play out across the 10 episodes.

New monsters The Stenza have been established as a recurring threat, with tooth-faced Tim Shaw (Samuel Oatley) appearing in episode 1 and and their tyranny being referenced again in episode 2, with talk of how they’ve decimated planets and peoples across the galaxy.

The Mirrorhas suggested that series 11 will see three stories set in the future, three in the past, and the rest in the present day, though the BBC declined to comment on this rumour.

BBC Sales Director David Hanomo has also been quoted as saying that elements from “the classic series” will appear in Whittaker’s first episodes. “I cannot say much, but I think the audience will be very happy to recognise elements, characters and monsters from the classic series that will be back,” he’s quoted as saying by AdoroCinema.

We’d advise a little caution, though, Hanomo’s quotes are translated from the original Portuguese, so there is the potential for some miscommunication.

Apparently, we’re in for “all-new monsters”, and classic foes like the Daleks might not appear at all. “We’ve got a new Doctor, all-new characters, all-new monsters, all-new stories,” Chibnall teased. “It’s going to be exciting, emotional and the most enormous fun.”

That means no Cybermen or Weeping Angels, either. Blimey! (They’ll likely be back eventually, but won’t feature in series 11.)

Doctor Who season 11 episode list: What can we expect?

It’s now been officially confirmed how many episodes we’ll be getting in 2018 – with just 10 as opposed to the recent standard of 12. However, they’ll be longer outings – 50 minutes, rather than 45.

The series opener was even longer – though it was originally announced to be running to an hour, it actually spanned a full 65 minutes!

Here’s the synopsis for the first episode, written by Chris Chibnall, directed by Jamie Childs.

“We don’t get aliens in Sheffield.” In a South Yorkshire city, Ryan Sinclair, Yasmin Khan and Graham O’Brien are about to have their lives changed forever, as a mysterious woman, unable to remember her own name, falls from the night sky. Can they believe a word she says? And can she help solve the strange events taking place across the city?

After ‘The Woman Who Fell to Earth’, episode 2 was titled ‘The Ghost Monument’ – Chibnall was again on scripting duties, with direction from Mark Tonderai.

Here’s the synopsis… Still reeling from their first encounter, can the Doctor and her new friends stay alive long enough, in a hostile alien environment , to solve the mystery of Desolation? And just who are Angstrom and Epzo?

Episode 3 is ‘Rosa’, co-written by Malorie Blackman and Chibnall and again directed by Tonderai. Here’s the synopsis…

©  BBC

“If she can live here her whole life, a couple of hours ain’t gonna kill me. They ain’t gonna kill me, right?” Montgomery, Alabama. 1955. The Doctor and her friends find themselves in the Deep South of America. As they encounter a seamstress by the name of Rosa Parks, they begin to wonder: is someone attempting to change history?

Episode 4 is ‘Archanids In The UK’, written by Chibnall and helmed by Sallie Aprahamian. Here’s the synopsis… “Something’s happening with the spiders in this city.” The Doctor, Yaz, Graham and Ryan find their way back to Yorkshire – and Yaz’s family – only to find something is stirring amidst the eight-legged arachnid population of Sheffield.

©  BBC

Episode 5 is ‘The Tsuranga Conundrum’ – written by Chibnall and directed by Jennifer Perrott. Here’s the synopsis… “Risk to life: absolute.” Injured and stranded in the wilds of a far-flung galaxy, The Doctor, Yaz, Graham and Ryan must band together with a group of strangers to survive against one of the universe’s most deadly — and unusual — creatures.

©  BBC

The final story title to be confirmed is episode 5’s ‘Demons of the Punjab’ – written by Vinay Patel, and directed by a returning Jamie Childs. The synopsis for ‘Demons’ reads: “What’s the point of having a mate with a time machine, if you can’t nip back and see your gran when she was younger?” India, 1947. The Doctor and her friends arrive in the Punjab, as the country is being torn apart. While Yaz attempts to discover her grandmother’s hidden history, the Doctor discovers demons haunting the land. Who are they and what do they want?

We also know that we WILL get a Christmas special this year, following doubt recently about whether the BBC had decided to shelve the annual festive episode. “We seem to be filming 11 episodes, and it’s only a series of 10,” Chibnall teased, with Strevens chiming in: “I don’t know what happened. It’s a show about space and time, so it’s all quite abstract.”

One thing we won’t have though is any two-parters. “It’s 10 standalone episodes, there’s no two-parters or anything like that,” Chibnall told Digital Spy during an interview at Comic-Con International in San Diego.

“What we want is for people to feel like we’ve got the range and variety of Doctor Who this year. So if you’ve never seen it before, you’re gonna fall in love with it, and if you have seen it, you’re gonna get those things that you love about the show across the 10 episodes.”

Series 11 will feature the first writers of colour in Doctor Who‘s 55-year history, with renowned author Malorie Blackman, Ed Hime (Skins), Vinay Patel (Murdered By My Father), Pete McTighe (Wentworth) and Joy Wilkinson (The Life and Adventures of Nick Nickleby) confirmed to be joining Chibnall.

©  Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images

Steven Moffat won’t be contributing any scripts, having insisted more than once that he’s done with Doctor Who once he hangs up his showrunner hat.

“It feels as though, in my limited time on this Earth, I really should start focusing on something else,” he said. “It’s not that I’ve lost love for the show at all, but I think it’s time for Doctor Who to have something new.”

In fact, we’re in for a total refresh. Mark Gatiss – who’s contributed a script every year since Doctor Who returned in 2005 – initially admitted that he was unsure if he’d continue under Chibnall.

“I don’t have a permanent position around the table,” Gatiss said. “It’s one of those moments, you don’t know what’s happening.”

Gatiss later confirmed that he wouldn’t be returning for series 11 – he insisted that, while Chibnall had left the door open for him, 2018’s episodes would all be written by “new people”.

Fan-favourite writer Sarah Dollard (‘Face the Raven’, ‘Thin Ice’) won’t be contributing to the new series, and nor will ‘Flatline’ and ‘Oxygen’ writer Jamie Mathieson or Neil Gaiman, though the fantasy author has confirmed he’s keen to write for Jodie in future.

In any case, rumour has it that Chibnall might be looking into new ways of writing Doctor Who. While both Moffat and his predecessor Russell T Davies would for the most part develop storylines and episode concepts that they would either write themselves or hand off to others, Chibnall is said to be adopting a writers’ room, similar to that used in US television.

Under the new system, Chibnall would lead a group of writers in hashing out storylines for each series together, though the BBC insisted back in 2016 that “no fixed model” for crafting Doctor Who in the new era had been decided upon – at least at that point.

The four directors helming series 11’s ten episodes have also been confirmed, with Sallie Aprahamian, Jamie Childs, Gentlemen Jack‘s Jennifer Perrott and House at the End of the Street‘s Mark Tonderai.

Rachel Talalay helmed seven Who episodes including this year’s Christmas special – which makes her the first to direct Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor. But, according to Moffat, Talalay “keeps hinting that she won’t” return to the series after that.

On the musical side of things, composer Murray Gold – a mainstay of Doctor Who since it returned in 2005 – has announced he’s departed the series.

Broadchurch composer Ólafur Arnalds ruled himself out, with Gold’s successor later being named as Segun Akinola. “Doctor Who is woven into the fabric of British culture and recognised globally,” said Akinola, who’ll be bringing us a new version of the classic theme tune.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be given the privilege of working on such a beloved series and to bring my musical voice to it.”

Akinola’s version of the famous Doctor Who theme was first heard over the end credits of episode 11×01, since ‘The Woman Who Fell to Earth’ doesn’t open with the revamped titles and music.

“You’ll have to wait till episode two to see [the new titles and theme] in situ,” Chibnall told Doctor Who Magazine. “Episode one starts a little differently.”

Here’s that spectacular new opening title sequence, which debuted at the beginning of ‘The Ghost Monument’.

There’ll also be a change in terms of visual effects: Milk VFX, who’ve worked on the show since 2013, have been replaced by new firm Double Negative, who recently worked on the effects for Blade Runner 2049.

Whatever happens next, it would appear that the show’s future is secure, with a recent press release appearing to confirm not just series 11, but series 12 through 15.

Chibnall apparently has a “five-year” plan for the series… and he won’t be playing it safe. “What the BBC was after was risk and boldness,” he said in June 2017.

He’ll be joined on this journey by Sam Hoyle (Broadchurch) and Matt Stevens (Misfits), who were both announced as serving as co-executive producers.

Happy times and places – with plenty more adventures in time and space to come…

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