BBC confirms brand new Doctor Who show after going back to square one

| Senior TV Reporter Published October 6, 2026 4:19pm Updated October 6, 2026 4:19pm The BBC has shared a first look at the CBeebies show, which is currently in production (Picture: BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon) Despair no longer Whovians: Doctor Who is returning even sooner than the 2028/2029 projection for the main show. Albeit in animated form. CBeebies will be taking us back into the world of intergalactic travel with the new pre-school series Doctor Who: Tardis Crew (it has a ring to it). The show has shared a first look at the series, with a blue-haired, sonic screwdriver-wielding Doctor and his eager-looking companion. The series follows the Doctor, who is a young Time Lord (it is not currently clear where this fits into the grand arc of his regeneration history), as well as his ‘crew’ of Hannah, Beastie and Toast-IE. Presumably, the latter is the robot being trailed in the Doctor’s wake. The quartet will embark on adventures across time and space, with the BBC promising the series will be ‘bursting with imagination, humour and adventure’. Get personalised updates on Doctor Who Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. The show, which is set to hit CBeebies screens sometime from late 2027 to early 2028, hopes to introduce a younger audience to the Whoniverse. The new pre-school series Doctor Who: Tardis Crew will hit screens sometime from late 2027 to early 2028 (Picture: BBC) The Daleks have had quite a cuddly rebrand for the show (Picture: BBC) The official announcement states: ‘Travelling aboard the iconic Tardis, they encounter incredible creatures, discover amazing new worlds and come face-to-face with legendary Doctor Who foes, including the Daleks.’ Ah yes, the Daleks. They’ve had quite a cuddly rebrand for the show, which is probably to be expected. The first look image shows their manipulation arm – which has always looked a bit like a plunger – has been turned plunger-red. Their eyestalk has also been anthropomorphised, with a big googley eye peeping out of it now. It remains to be seen exactly how evil these Dalek variants will be, but the kids tuning in might be in for a shock when they upgrade to watching the show proper. The BBC statement continues: ‘The series celebrates curiosity, courage and kindness, encouraging young viewers to explore new ideas, solve problems and embrace the unexpected. It is unclear how the CBeebies show will slot into the history of the Time Lord in the main show (Picture: BBC) ‘Families will join the Tardis Crew on unforgettable journeys where friendship, teamwork and quick thinking can change everything. Blending the wonder and excitement of Doctor Who with the trusted storytelling and learning through play values of CBeebies, the series is set to introduce a whole new generation to one of the world’s most iconic brands.’ Doctor Who: Tardis Crew will comprise 52 bite-sized episodes at 11 minutes a piece and is currently in production. Kate Morton, Senior Head of Commissioning for CBeebies, said: ‘The Tardis is ready for its youngest crew yet. Packed with imagination, humour and adventure, Doctor Who: Tardis Crew will inspire children to be curious, courageous and kind as they explore incredible worlds across time and space. ‘It’s everything families love about Doctor Who, wonder, excitement and endless possibility, reimagined for CBeebies’ youngest explorers.’ It comes after the main show was officially put out to tender last month, inviting studios to roll up, roll up and envisage the future of the Doctor. The deadline for initial applications closed last week. Deals of the Day Kurt Geiger's new Notting Hill collection is a love letter to London's chaotic weather I’ve found the Hoover gadget that could make cleaning your floors so much easier I tried L'Oréal Paris's new PDRN serum and my skin looked glossier after one use This new Cricut gadget turns your favourite photos into stickers in minutes From kitchen hatches to burgundy walls – the biggest home trends for 2027 Doctor Who: Tardis Crew will arrive on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer in late 2027/early 2028. Arrow MORE: All the celebrities who turned down Celebrity Traitors – and now ‘regret it’ Arrow MORE: Celebrity Traitors fans think everyone missed Joe Lycett’s ‘total foot in mouth moment’ Arrow MORE: BBC Radio 4 presenter Justin Webb taken off air after ‘struggling with his throat’ TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.