As reported by various tabloid outlets over recent weeks, the BBC has officially revealed that Series 11 will consist of 10 episodes.

The news accompanied yesterday’s surprise announcement that Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill and Tosin Cole will be joining Jodie Whittaker’s debut series as the 13th Doctor’s companions. Each new episode will have a slightly extended running time of 50 minutes, excluding the series premiere which will be one hour long. They will air on BBC One in Autumn 2018, followed (we assume) by a Christmas Special.

What do you think of this tweaked format? Let us know in the poll and comments, below…

Series 11 confirmed to have 10 episodes. Thoughts?

• So it went from 13 to 12, and now down to 10? And each one will basically be just 5 minutes longer? Meh!
• It doesn't matter how much we get - at least we're actually getting it! And with a new Doctor in tow, too. Bring it on, I say!

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New Doctor + new companions = new era! Read all the latest Series 11 updates…

The BBC has today confirmed the identities of the THREE actors who will be joining Doctor Who as its all new regular cast in Series 11 next year.

Joining Jodie Whittaker in the TARDIS will be Bradley Walsh as Graham, Mandip Gill as Yasmin and Tosin Cole as Ryan. Sharon D Clarke will also be starring in a returning role.

In addition, it has also been announced that the series will consist of ten 50 minute long episodes, starting with a 60 minute premiere, and will air on BBC One in Autumn 2018.

“The new Doctor is going to need new friends. We’re thrilled to welcome Mandip, Tosin and Bradley to the Doctor Who family. They’re three of Britain’s brightest talents and we can’t wait to see them dive into brand new adventures with Jodie’s Doctor. Alongside them, we’re delighted that Sharon D Clarke is also joining the show.”

- Chris Chibnall (Doctor Who Showrunner)

“I remember watching William Hartnell as the first Doctor. Black and white made it very scary for a youngster like myself. I was petrified but even though I’d watch most of it from behind the sofa through my fingers, I became a fan. I then queued up for ages to get into the Carlton picture house in Watford to watch the great Peter Cushing appear as the Doctor in a full length feature film made in glorious colour. Am I thrilled to be part of this whole ground breaking new dawn for the Doctor? Oh yes!”

- Bradley Walsh (Graham in Series 11)

“I am over the moon to be joining the Doctor Who family. This is an iconic show with an amazing fanbase and I look forward to everything that brings. Certain roles seem unattainable and this is one of those, so much so I didn’t believe it to be true for the first few weeks. To be working alongside the likes of Jodie, Bradley and my old friend Tosin is thrilling. This show is worlds away from the work I’ve done previously and that’s the part that excites me the most.”

- Mandip Gill (Yasmin in Series 11)

“I’m grateful and excited to be a part of this journey with the team. I’m looking forward to jumping in this Doctor Who universe.”

- Tosin Cole (Ryan in Series 11)

So, what are your first impressions of our new TARDIS team?

New Doctor + new companions = new era! Read all the latest Series 11 updates…

Jodie Whittaker hasn’t even made her official on screen debut yet but rumours about her first series at the helm of the TARDIS are already doing the rounds.

According to this report from the Mirror (we know – but when Doctor Who new items are so few and far between, we have to cling on to what we get!), Series 11 will be cut down from 12 episodes to 10, however they will each be extended to a running time of 60 minutes. Meanwhile, the 13th Doctor will apparently be getting a new TARDIS interior and sonic, too, but those changes were pretty much to be expected.

Do you think the show would benefit from hour-long episodes? Share your thoughts below.

The BBC have released a new interview with Jodie Whittaker to accompany her reveal as the first female incarnation of the Doctor.

The actress was announced as the Thirteenth Doctor in a new clip which premiered on BBC One earlier today (Sunday) and has described landing the iconic role as “an unbelievable opportunity” which still feels “completely overwhelming”.

You can read the full Q&A with our brand new Doctor below and discuss the breaking news in the comments.

Q. What does it feel like to be the Thirteenth Doctor?
A. It’s very nerve-racking, as it’s been so secret!

Q. Why did you want the role?
A. To be asked to play the ultimate character, to get to play pretend in the truest form: this is why I wanted to be an actor in the first place. To be able to play someone who is literally reinvented on screen, with all the freedoms that brings: what an unbelievable opportunity. And added to that, to be the first woman in that role.

Q. Has it been hard to keep the secret?
A. Yes. Very hard! I’ve told a lot of lies! I’ve embroiled myself in a whole world of lies which is going to come back at me when this is announced!

Q. Who was the first person you told when you got the role?
A. My husband. Because I was allowed to!

Q. Did you have a codename and if so what was it?
A. In my home, and with my agent, it was The Clooney. Because to me and my husband, George is an iconic guy. And we thought: what’s a really famous iconic name? It was just fitting.

Q. What does it feel like to be the first woman Doctor?
A. It feels completely overwhelming, as a feminist, as a woman, as an actor, as a human, as someone who wants to continually push themselves and challenge themselves, and not be boxed in by what you’re told you can and can’t be. It feels incredible.

Q. What do you want to tell the fans?
A. I want to tell the fans not to be scared by my gender. Because this is a really exciting time, and Doctor Who represents everything that’s exciting about change. The fans have lived through so many changes, and this is only a new, different one, not a fearful one.

Q. What are you most excited about?
A. I’m most excited about becoming part of a family I didn’t even know existed. I was born in 1982, it’s been around longer than me, and it’s a family I couldn’t ever have dreamed I’d be part of.

Q. How did Chris sell you the part?
A. We had a strange chat earlier this year where he tricked me into thinking we were talking about Broadchurch. And I started to quiz him about his new job in Wales, and asked him if I could be a baddie! And he quickly diverted the conversation to suggest I should consider auditioning to be the 13th Clooney.

It was the most incredible chat because I asked every question under the sun, and I said I’d take a few weeks to decide whether I was going to audition. He got a phone call within 24 hours. He would’ve got a phone call sooner, but my husband was away and there was a time difference!

Q. Did he persuade you?
A. No. There was no persuasion needed. If you need to be persuaded to do this part, you’re not right for this part, and the part isn’t right for you. I also think, for anyone taking this on, you have to want to fight for it, which I certainly had to do. I know there will have been some phenomenal actors who threw their hats in the ring.

Q. What are you going to wear?
A. Don’t know yet.

Q. Is that your costume in the filmed sequence which introduced you as the new Doctor?
A. No.
Q. Have any of the other Doctors given you advice?
A. Well they can’t because they haven’t known until now, but I’m certainly expecting a couple of calls – I’ve got a couple of mates in there. I’m mates with a companion [Arthur Darvill], I’m mates with a trio of Doctors. I know Matt Smith, Chris Eccleston and obviously David Tennant. Oh! And let’s throw in David Bradley! Four Doctors! So I’m hoping I get some calls of advice.

Steven Moffat has explained his decision to leave Doctor Who after 8 years as its showrunner.

His last full series as its lead writer begins on Saturday 15th April, before his final episode airs on Christmas Day. Speaking to World Screen, he admitted that he’s secretly surprised he’s managed to last this long, given the show’s “monstrous workload”. “This is the longest I’ve ever done anything,” he said. “I was one of the writers when it came back, getting on with other shows, and then I took over and it became a full-time job. I’m astonished at how long I’ve been doing it.”

He continued: “I’ve been looking after and worrying about Doctor Who for years now, plus Sherlock on top of that. You’re never more of a writer than when you write something new, you try something different. I miss all of that. I’d like to go and find a new thing to fail at!”

Speaking of his successor, Chris Chibnall, he affirmed: “He is an experienced showrunner, so he doesn’t need any of my advice. He has his own ideas about how to do Doctor Who.”

The Doctor is BACK on 15th April – check out the BRAND NEW, full-length trailer…

Chris Chibnall has once again commented on the process of finding the Thirteenth Doctor, insisting that “nothing has yet been decided”.

The incoming showrunner will take over the show’s reigns from Steven Moffat for Series 11 and beyond, and the first task on his to do list will be to enlist a Time Lord anew by casting Peter Capaldi’s successor.

However, the writer remained tight-lipped when responding to speculation that the next incarnation will be a female.

“I haven’t got my feet under the table yet,” he told the East Anglian Daily Times. “But nothing is ruled out. I don’t want the casting to be a gimmick and that’s all that I can say.”

Should the next Doctor be a female? Join the debate in our dedicated discussion…

David Tennant has revealed that Chris Chibnall was “the only choice” to take over the prized Doctor Who reigns from Steven Moffat.

The Tenth Doctor actor – who also stars in Chibnall’s drama Broadchurch, returning to ITV this month – told Digital Spy that the series will be “in safe hands” when the incoming showrunner’s era opens for business next year. “I think it was inevitable that Chris would get it,” he said. “It’s a massive and difficult job which needs someone who is as talented and enthusiastic as he is. It’ll go from strength to strength.”

Chris has also been given the seal of approval from another recent Doctor – Matt Smith described him as “a wonderful writer” when he was announced as Steven’s successor.

Do you agree with David? Was Chris the perfect choice to take over from Steven Moffat?

Chris Chibnall has refused to confirm or deny whether or not he intends to cast a female as the Thirteenth Doctor.

Responding to the continuing speculation that the Time Lord will be changing gender when he takes over for Series 11 next year, the incoming showrunner told the Telegraph that the role will simply be given to the “best person for the part”. “We’ll cast it in the traditional way,” he explained. “You cant’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.”

Tilda Swinton is the current bookies’ favourite. She takes the top spot from Tom Weston-Jones who emerged as a possible successor a year before Peter’s exit was announced.

A fresh report has surfaced today suggesting that Doctor Who will be getting a “major shake-up” in 2018 to coincide with the arrival of its new showrunner, Chris Chibnall.

According to the Mirror (we know, but bear with us!), the BBC have agreed to give its incoming chief a “clean slate” with a “younger, dashing” Doctor and a “new young female companion”, suggesting that both Peter Capaldi and Pearl Mackie will be vacating the TARDIS at the end of Series 10 next year. It is alleged that this decision has been made to “recreate the David Tennant era” in a bid to improve ratings.

Under the helm of Russell T Davies, the show peaked at viewers of up to 13 million, while the most recent episodes averaged an audience of 6 million. Merchandise sales have been on the decline, too, with the revamp slated to “boost the show’s popularity with kids”.

It’s all just rumours at the moment, of course, but how would you feel if Doctor Who came back in 2018 as a “brand new show”? Big changes are inevitable with the arrival of a new exec, but should they really be this extreme? Discuss the developments in the comments…

Rumours are abound that Doctor Who will be getting a "major shake-up" in 2018, with a brand new Doctor AND companion stepping aboard the TARDIS for the Chibnall era. Thoughts?

• It sounds perfect, and just what the Doctor ordered. Steven Moffat got a fresh start, so why shouldn't Chris Chibnall? Bring it on!
• No, no, no! The show has never been better. Such a big change would be a disaster. If it ain't broken, why fix it?
• I don't really know what to think, but we've still got Series 10 to enjoy first. Why don't we just live in the moment and see what happens?

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The Doctor is back on screens on Christmas Day in The Return of Doctor Mysterio.

Matt Strevens will serve as an executive producer on Doctor Who from Series 11 onwards, it has been confirmed.

Matt – whose previous producing credits include Misfits, The Bill and Cucumber, on which he collaborated with Russell T Davies – will be working alongside Chris Chibnall who will take over the reigns from Steven Moffat when he hands over his showrunning duties after Series 10 next year.

He is no stranger to the Whoniverse, having produced An Adventure in Space and Time back in 2013.