Doctor Who (series 11)

Doctor Who (series 11)
DVD box set cover art
Starring
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of stories 2
No. of episodes 2
Release
Original network BBC One
Original release 7 October 2018 (2018-10-07) – present (present)
Series chronology

The eleventh series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who premiered on 7 October 2018, and will consist of ten episodes. The series is the first to be led by Chris Chibnall as head writer and executive producer, alongside executive producers Matt Strevens and Sam Hoyle, after Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin stepped down after the tenth series. This series is the eleventh to air following the programme's revival in 2005, and is the thirty-seventh season overall. It also marks the beginning of the third production era of the revived series, following Russell T. Davies' run from 2005–2010, and Moffat's from 2010–2017. The eleventh series broadcasts on Sundays, a first in the programme's history, after regular episodes of the revived era have previously been broadcast on Saturdays.

The series introduces Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor, the most recent incarnation of the Doctor, an alien Time Lord who travels through time and space in her TARDIS, which appears to be a British police box on the outside. The series also introduces Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole, and Mandip Gill as the Doctor's newest companions, Graham O'Brien, Ryan Sinclair and Yasmin Khan, respectively. Filming for the series, which is set to include a Christmas special, commenced in November 2017 and concluded in August 2018.

Episodes

For the first time since Doctor Who's seventh series, each episode of the series is set to be a standalone story with no multi-parters.[1] Alongside Chris Chibnall, this series feature written contributions by Ed Hime, Pete McTighe, Vinay Patel, and Joy Wilkinson,[2] the latter writing an episode entitled "The Witch Finders".[3]

StoryEpisodeTitleDirected by [4]Written byOriginal air date [5]UK viewers
(millions) [6]		AI [6]
2771"The Woman Who Fell to Earth"Jamie ChildsChris Chibnall7 October 2018 (2018-10-07)TBDTBD
Ryan, a dyspraxic young man, comes across some strange lights and interacts with them, causing a blue pod to appear. Ryan calls the police, receiving help from PC Yasmin Khan. Ryan's grandmother, Grace, her husband, Graham, and Karl find themselves trapped onboard their train with a floating orb of tentacles and electricity. Ryan and Yasmin head for the train, arriving just as the Doctor falls through the ceiling. The orb departs after implanting everyone with DNA destroying bombs. The others and the Doctor track the pod down to a warehouse, where they encounter a humanoid alien. The Doctor, missing her sonic screwdriver, constructs another from spare parts. The group intercepts the orb, a mass of biological data-gathering coils. The second alien suddenly appears, revealing himself as Tzim-Sha, a warrior hunting humans. The group track down Karl, the actual target. After climbing a crane, Tzim-Sha captures Karl, but the Doctor orders Tzim-Sha to leave him. Tzim-Sha detonates the bombs, but the Doctor transferred them into the coils, which were self-implanted into Tzim-Sha. Grace destroys the coils but is fatally injured. The Doctor later tells the group she must find the TARDIS. She bids the group goodbye, but accidentally teleports all four of them into the vacuum of deep space.
2782"The Ghost Monument"Mark TonderaiChris Chibnall14 October 2018 (2018-10-14)TBDTBD
2793"Rosa"[7]Mark TonderaiMalorie Blackman and Chris Chibnall21 October 2018 (2018-10-21)TBDTBD
2804"Arachnids in the UK"[8]Sallie AprahamianChris Chibnall28 October 2018 (2018-10-28)TBDTBD
2815TBAJennifer PerrottTBA4 November 2018 (2018-11-04)TBDTBD
2826TBASallie AprahamianTBA11 November 2018 (2018-11-11)TBDTBD
2837TBAJamie ChildsTBA18 November 2018 (2018-11-18)TBDTBD
2848TBAJennifer PerrottTBA25 November 2018 (2018-11-25)TBDTBD
2859TBAJamie ChildsTBA2 December 2018 (2018-12-02)TBDTBD
28610TBAJamie ChildsTBA9 December 2018 (2018-12-09)TBDTBD
Special [9]
287–TBAWayne Yip[10]TBA25 December 2018 (2018-12-25)[11]TBDTBD

Casting

Whittaker at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con, where she promoted her first full series.

The series introduced Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor. Her predecessor Peter Capaldi departed from his role as the Twelfth Doctor after the tenth series, having played the role for three series.[12] His final appearance was in the 2017 Christmas special, "Twice Upon a Time".[13] Moffat stated in February 2017 that Chibnall tried to persuade the actor to continue into the eleventh series, but despite this, Capaldi still decided to depart.[14]

We'll cast the role in the traditional way: 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...The creative possibilities are endless, but I have a very clear sense of what we're going to do, without even knowing who's going to play the part.

—Chris Chibnall, executive producer, on the approach to casting the newest incarnation of the lead character.[15]

The search for the actor to portray the Thirteenth Doctor, led by Chibnall, began later in 2017, after he completed work on the third series of the ITV series Broadchurch, for which he is also the head writer and executive producer. Chibnall had the final say on the actor, although the decision also involved Charlotte Moore and Piers Wenger, the director of content and head of drama for the BBC respectively.[16] Media reports and bookmakers speculated as to who would replace Capaldi as the Thirteenth Doctor, with Ben Whishaw and Kris Marshall among the most popular predictions.[17] On 16 July 2017, it was announced after the 2017 Wimbledon Championships men's finals that Whittaker would portray the thirteenth incarnation of the Doctor.[12]

After Michelle Gomez reprised her role of Missy in the tenth series, she stated in May 2017 that it would be her last series in the role, and she would not be returning for the eleventh series or beyond.[18] After the tenth series concluded, it was confirmed that neither companion from that series would be reprising their roles for the eleventh series; Matt Lucas left his role as Nardole after the finale of the tenth series, and Pearl Mackie stated at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con that she would not return as Bill Potts after the 2017 Christmas special, "Twice Upon a Time".[19][20] Consequently, series 11 introduced a new set of companions, including Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole, and Mandip Gill as Graham O'Brien, Ryan Sinclair and Yasmin Khan, respectively.[21][22] Walsh had been a favourite for the role since rumours of his casting began in August 2017.[23][21] Actress Sharon D. Clarke also has a recurring role throughout the series as Graham's wife Grace.[21][24][25]

On 8 March 2018, Alan Cumming announced that he had been cast as King James I in an episode of the series.[26] On 25 March, comedian Lee Mack stated that he would make a brief appearance in one episode.[27] Shaun Dooley also appears in the series.[28] In a "Coming Soon" vignette during the closing credits of the premiere episode, "The Woman Who Fell to Earth", a number of guest actors appearing in the remaining episodes of the series were shown: Mark Addy, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Shane Zaza, Shobna Gulati, Brett Goldstein, Josh Bowman, Siobhan Finneran, Lois Chimimba, Susan Lynch, Hamza Jeetooa (credited as Hamza Jeetoa), Art Malik, Suzanne Packer, Vinette Robinson, Amita Suman, Ben Bailey Smith, Phyllis Logan, and Chris Noth.[29]

Production

Writing and development

In April 2015, Steven Moffat confirmed that Doctor Who would run for at least another five years, extending the show until 2020.[30] It was announced in January 2016 that the tenth series would be Moffat's final series as executive producer and head writer, after seven years as showrunner, for which he was replaced in the role by Chris Chibnall in 2018.[31] Matt Strevens serves as executive producer alongside Chibnall, as well as Sam Hoyle.[32][33] With Moffat's departure from the role of head writer, he also stated in February 2017 that he was not planning to write for the eleventh series.[34]

The series will consist of 10 episodes, a shorter run compared to the 12 and 13 episodes that have comprised the previous ten series of the revived era. Episodes will run for an average of 50 minutes each, with the premiere running for 65 minutes.[5][35] Chibnall stated at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con that each episode of the series is set to be a standalone story with no multi-parters;[1] Chibnall also stated that the series is not set to feature the Daleks.[36]

In July 2018, it was announced that the writing team for the eleventh series would include people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds for the first time in the programme's history, including two women and three men contributing as guest writers, while the series as a whole would feature an equal split between female and male directors. All but one of the editors for the eleventh series would be women. Chibnall and Strevens stated that it was a priority to have a diverse production team.[37]

Jamie Childs directed the first and seventh episode of the series in the opening production block, having directed Whittaker's introduction video as the Thirteenth Doctor.[33][38] Sallie Aprahamian directed the third filming block, consisting of two episodes.[39][40] The writers and directors for the show were officially announced in an issue of Doctor Who Magazine in August 2018. Malorie Blackman, Ed Hime, Pete McTighe, Vinay Patel, and Joy Wilkinson all contributed scripts to the series.[2]

Filming

Pre-production for the eleventh series began in late October 2017.[33] Filming officially began in November 2017[41] and concluded on 3 August 2018,[42] with a premiere date of 7 October 2018.[43] The eleventh series broadcasts on Sundays, which is a first in the programme's history, after regular episodes of the entire revived era have previously been broadcast on Saturdays.[43]

The eleventh series was shot using Cooke and Angénieux anamorphic lenses for the first time in the series' history, a creative decision made in order to make the show look more cinematic.[44] Eleven episodes were filmed for the series, which includes the initial ten as well as the annual Christmas special episode.[9] The Park Hill estate, Sheffield, was used as a location in the series.[45]

Production blocks were arranged as follows:

Block[2][4]EpisodeDirectorWriterProducerRef(s)
1 "The Woman Who Fell to Earth"
Episode 7		Jamie ChildsChris Chibnall
TBA		Nikki Wilson[33][38][43]
2 "The Ghost Monument"
"Rosa"		Mark TonderaiChris Chibnall
Malorie Blackman and Chris Chibnall		Nikki Wilson[4][46][47][7]
3 "Arachnids in the UK"
Episode 6		Sallie AprahamianChris Chibnall
TBA		Alex Mercer[39][40]
4 Episode 5
Episode 8		Jennifer PerrottTBATBA[48]
5 Episode 9
Episode 10		Jamie ChildsTBATBA[49][4]
X 2018 Christmas SpecialWayne YipTBANikki Wilson[10][9]

Design and effects

New Doctor Who logo and insignia for the eleventh series

A new logo was unveiled at the BBC Worldwide showcase on 20 February 2018. This logo was designed by the creative agency Little Hawk, who also created a stylised insignia of the word "who" enclosed in a circle with an intersecting line.[50] Visual effects are being done by the British company DNEG.[51] The new opening title sequence was not included in the premiere episode, "The Woman Who Fell to Earth", but will first appear in the second episode, "The Ghost Monument".[52]

Music

Murray Gold announced in February 2018 that he would step down as the programme's composer, having served as the musical director since 2005, and that he would not be composing the music for the eleventh series.[53] On 26 June 2018, producer Chris Chibnall announced that the musical score for the eleventh series would be provided by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire alumnus Segun Akinola.[54]

Promotion

The first teaser for the series was released during the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup on 15 July 2018, almost exactly a year after the announcement of Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor.[55][12] Whittaker, Gill, Cole, Chibnall and Strevens promoted the show with a panel at the San Diego Comic-Con on 19 July 2018,[56] where the first trailer was released.[57] The second trailer for the series was released on 20 September 2018.[58] The premiere of the new series was held at The Moor, Sheffield on 24 September 2018, as part of a red carpet event for the first episode and eleventh series.[59]

Broadcast and reception

Critical reception

Doctor Who's eleventh series has received positive reviews. Series 11 holds a 95% score on online review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 7.86/10, based on 26 reviews. The site's consensus reads "Carried by Jodie Whittaker's boundless energy and charm, Doctor Who's latest regeneration manages to feel fresh well into its 55-year tenure."[60]

Doctor Who (series 11): Critical reception by episode

DVD and Blu-ray releases

Series Episode name Number and duration
of episodes		 R2/B release date R4/B release date R1/A release date
11Doctor Who: The Woman Who Fell to Earth
"The Woman Who Fell to Earth"		1 × 65 min.TBATBA
(D) [61]		TBA
Doctor Who: The Complete Eleventh Series9 × 50 min.
1 × 65 min.		TBA
(D,B) [62]		30 June 2019
(D,B) [63]		29 January 2019
(D,B) [64]

References

  1. 1 2 Jeffery, Morgan (19 July 2018). "Exclusive: Doctor Who series 11 won't feature any two-part stories". DigitalSpy. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Carras, Christi (20 August 2018). "TV News Roundup: BBC Announces 'Doctor Who' Season 11 Writers, Directors". Variety. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  3. ↑ "Joy Wilkinson's Doctor Who episode titled 'The Witch Finders'". Cultbox. October 5, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Every Doctor Who Series 11 Writer & Director Confirmed". Doctor Who TV. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Doctor Who: Bradley Walsh among new cast members". BBC News. 22 October 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
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  8. ↑ "Jodie Whittaker to battle mysterious spiders in upcoming Doctor Who episode". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 Fullerton, Huw (19 July 2018). "Jodie Whittaker WILL get a Doctor Who Christmas special after all". RadioTimes. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  10. 1 2 "Edel McDonnell". Berlin Associates. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  11. ↑ Spencer, Samuel (14 September 2018). "Doctor Who season 11 air date, cast, trailer, plot: When is the new series out?". The Express. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 "Doctor Who: Jodie Whittaker is to replace Peter Capaldi in the Time Lord regeneration game". The Telegraph. 16 July 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  13. ↑ "Peter Capaldi announces he will stand down as Doctor Who at the end of the year". BBC. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  14. ↑ "Steven Moffat: Chris Chibnall tried to persuade Peter Capaldi to stay on Doctor Who". Radio Times. 17 February 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  15. ↑ Scott, Ryan (19 February 2017). "Showrunner Reveals Plan to Cast All-New Doctor Who for Season 11". TVWeb. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  16. ↑ Dowell, Ben (31 January 2017). "New Doctor Who boss Chris Chibnall will lead the hunt for Peter Capaldi's replacement". Radio Times. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  17. ↑ Littlejohn, Georgina (8 February 2017). "WHO WILL BE WHO? Who will be the next Doctor Who? Latest odds on who will replace Peter Capaldi, from Richard Ayoade to Olivia Coleman". The Sun. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  18. ↑ "Michelle Gomez confirms she's leaving Doctor Who with Peter Capaldi: "It's the end of an era"". DigitalSpy. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
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  29. ↑ Fullerton, Huw (7 October 2018). "Doctor Who casts Mark Addy, Chris Noth and Julie Hesmondhalgh in mysterious new roles". Radio Times. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  30. ↑ "Doctor Who 'to remain on-screen until at least 2020'". BBC. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
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  32. ↑ "Everything we know so far about 'Doctor Who' Season 11". CultBox. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  33. 1 2 3 4 Sandwell, Ian (27 October 2017). "Doctor Who series 11 lands its first director as work gets under way on Jodie Whittaker's debut". DigitalSpy. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
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  36. ↑ Fullerton, Huw (20 July 2018). "Doctor Who series 11 will not feature any Daleks confirms new showrunner". Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  37. ↑ Jeffrey, Morgan (20 July 2018). "Doctor Who series 11 will feature the 55-year-old show's first ever writers of colour". DigitalSpy. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  38. 1 2 "Sarah Davies 1st Assistant Director" (PDF). Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  39. 1 2 "Rochelle Stevens & Co: Sallie Aprahamian". Rochelle Stevens & Co. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  40. 1 2 "Berlin Associates: Helen Murphy". Berlin Associates. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
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  42. ↑ Doctor Who Official [@bbcdoctorwho] (3 August 2018). "…and that's a wrap! #DoctorWho" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 August 2018 – via Twitter.
  43. 1 2 3 "BBC Latest News – Doctor Who – It's about time..." BBC. September 5, 2018. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
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  46. ↑ "Radio Times – New Doctor Who episode title and story details revealed". Radio Times. September 18, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
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  48. ↑ "The Ravens". NRFF. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  49. ↑ "Jamie Childs". Independent Talent. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
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  51. ↑ "Jodie Whittaker will enter a "zany" CGI world in an upcoming Doctor Who episode". Radio Times. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  52. ↑ Kelly, Stephen (8 October 2018). "13 questions (and some answers) we have about Jodie Whittaker's Doctor Who debut". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  53. ↑ O'Connor, Rory (20 February 2018). "Doctor Who: Bradley Walsh WON'T work with two big stars after they confirm their exits". Express. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  54. ↑ Jeffery, Morgan (26 June 2018). "Doctor Who series 11 composer has been revealed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  55. ↑ Jeffery, Morgan. "Doctor Who series 11's first official trailer will air during the World Cup final". digitalspy.com. Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  56. ↑ "Doctor Who Comic-Con panel details revealed". RadioTimes.
  57. ↑ Schaefer, Sandy. "Doctor Who Season 11 Trailer & Poster: New Faces, New Worlds". screenrant.com. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  58. ↑ Marcus (20 September 2018). "New Trailer Released". Doctor Who News. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  59. ↑ Marcus (12 September 2018). "Doctor Who: Red Carpet Experience". Doctor Who News. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  60. 1 2 "Doctor Who: Season 11". RottenTomatoes. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  61. ↑ "Doctor Who - The Woman Who Fell To Earth". Sanity. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  62. ↑ "Doctor Who - The Complete Series 11 [DVD] [2018]". Retrieved 10 October 2018 – via Amazon.
  63. ↑ "Doctor Who - Season 11". Sanity. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  64. ↑ "Doctor Who: The Complete Eleventh Series". Retrieved 10 October 2018 – via Amazon.
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