Admit it. You didn’t know what to think when it was announced that we’ll only be getting one Doctor Who episode this year, did you?
It’s not a bad dream, unfortunately, but in the wise words of the Face of Boe, “you are not alone”. The ensuing tidal wave of rumours and reports has meant that our dear old fandom doesn’t know whether it’s coming or going anymore, and with so much speculation flying all over the place, we thought it appropriate to do a recap of what we definitely do know about Series 10. Which, admittedly, isn’t that much.
What DO we know for sure?
1. Filming Starts in May
Better late than never, right? Although it’s never too late, as a wise person once said. Kylie, I think. Anyway, earlier this month it was confirmed that the TARDIS will officially reopen for business in May when the cameras start rolling on Series 10 in Cardiff, with Peter Capaldi recently revealing that he’s currently preparing – both mentally and psychically – to embark on his third string of adventures. “We make it for nine months,” he said, “so the most important thing is that I’m fit and on top of everything. I’m looking forward to starting.” You’re not the only one, Peter. Where’s a TARDIS when you need one?!
2. But it won’t hit our screens until NEXT Spring
Yeah, so that’s the bad news. Although filming will commence in the next couple of months, it won’t actually hit our screens until next spring, and you don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out that this means there will consequently be no full series of Doctor Who in 2016. Rumours that the series would be going on another “gap year” first hit the waves before Series 9 had even finished, with reports that fans would be getting a year of “feature-length specials” to tide them over until its full time return in 2017. As it turns out, we won’t even be getting that, with only the now traditional Christmas Special hitting our screens this December. Fa la la la la, la la la la, and all that. It’s gonna be a long year.
3. It will feature 12 Episodes
See, there’s actually nothing to worry about after all. After this year’s Christmas Special, we’ll have 12 brand new spanking episodes to look forward to in Series 10 next year, following the format that’s been in place since Series 8. And then, we can assume, there will be next year’s Christmas Special, too, bringing the grand total of Doctor Who episodes in 2017 up to 13. An unlucky number for some, but definitely not unlucky for Whovians. So rest assured that we’ll be getting just as much as Doctor Who as we’re used to, we’ll just have to wait an extra year for it is all. Swings and roundabouts.
4. It will be Steven’s final series as Showrunner
Whether you’ve loved or loathed Steven Moffat as Doctor Who’s showrunner in chief, it was a genuine shock to the system to us all when it was announced that he’ll be stepping down from his head writing duties after Series 10. He previously confirmed that he had signed up to helm at least one more series during a BAFTA event in May 2015, but it wasn’t until last month that the Beeb officially revealed that the Moff is… well, off. He took over the reigns from Russell T Davies back in 2009 and has described the job as “the best in the universe”.
5. And he’s set to “go out with a bang”
Is there any other way to go, daddio? According to BBC One controller Charlotte Moore, the channel hopes to “bring the nation together for what will be a huge event” when Steven bows out next spring. After rebooting the entire universe, introducing a secret incarnation of the Doctor and reinstating Gallifrey to its former glory (to name but a few), what on Earth will Steven have up his sleeve for Series 10? We dread to think.
6. Peter Capaldi isn’t going anywhere
Hurrah! After surviving billions of years trapped inside a confession dial at the end of the last series, the Twelfth Doctor will be back to fight another day in Series 10… and with a brand new sonic screwdriver in hand. Let’s face it, though, Peter Capaldi is only just getting started, although the man himself has suggested that 2017 might be his “final year” aboard the TARDIS. But let’s cross that bridge when we get to it, eh?
7. And he’s getting a brand new companion
Here we go again! Clara Oswald’s departure at the end of Series 9 means that there’s now a vacancy aboard the TARDIS for another unsuspecting Earthling to step aboard for the trip of a lifetime. Well, they’ll probably be an Earthling, anyway, and a female one at that (that’s always been the pattern, right?), but we do know that it will be “somebody new” who the Doctor has never met before. Better luck next time, Osgood. The identity of the Doctor’s incoming BFF is probably the biggest secret in TV Land at the moment, but you can hazard a guess and leave your hopes and predictions in our dedicated discussion, here.
8. Missy (might) be back!
And it would be about time, too! It’s safe to say that fans haven’t been able to get enough of Michelle Gomez in all her malevolent glory since she was introduced as the first female incarnation of the Master back in Series 8. She was back with an almighty vengeance (to put it lightly!) in last year’s thrilling two-part premiere, and it looks like her reign of terror is still only just beginning, if Steven Moffat’s recent cryptic hint is anything to go by. We “should definitely expect more from her in the future”, apparently, which certainly sounds intriguing. We’re gonna need eight snipers…
9. It’s already signed up two “amazing” writers
Oh Steven, why must you relentlessly tease us so? The outgoing showrunner revealed at the end of last year that he’s already secured the services of two “amazing” writers to lend their creativity to his final series. They’re so brilliant, in fact, that our “brains would explode” if he told us who they are, so it’s probably best if we just take his word for it for the time being. That won’t stop us speculating in the meantime, however, so feel free to place your bets in the comments section below. The possibilities are endless…
10. And let’s not forget those Peter Jackson rumours
Will he be directing? Won’t he be directing? Your guess is as good as ours at the moment, but the Academy Award winning mastermind behind such trilogies as ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’ dropped his biggest clue yet last November when he posted a cryptic Facebook video message featuring none other than Peter Capaldi himself. The fandom went into an unprecedented frenzy, of course, but three months later and we’re still no closer to actually finding out if he’ll be lending his vision to one of the Time Lord’s televisual adventures or not. And with related rumours dating back to 2012, it would definitely be a long time coming. Would somebody just give the man a damn Dalek already?!
New adventures. New companion. Same Doctor! Read the latest Series 10 news…
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