DISNEY+ BOSSES PRAISE SERIES
Speaking at the annual Edinburgh TV Festival this week, Disney+ bosses have spoken about Doctor Who following the conclusion of its first full season produced in partnership with the BBC.
The Disney+ ‘Spotlight’ session at the festival was attended by Disney+’s Senior Manager of Unscripted Content, Gaby Aung; Director of Scripted Content, Lee Mason; and Senior Vice President, Liam Keelan.
Senior Vice President, Liam Keelan said:
“[Doctor Who] is a fabulous series. Obviously, in the UK it’s fully BBC, rightly so. We take rest of world rights. But really, really happy to have it. I think just, you know, the quirkiness of it, the fact that it’s in that sci-fi world and when you think about what Disney offers in other regards, I think it feels like a really good fit to me. I mean, you know, it’s great to have it.”
Last month it was announced the BBC and Disney+ had commissioned new Doctor Who spin-off The War Between The Land And The Sea. Leading the five-part series is Russell Tovey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. The series will also see the return of UNIT alumni Jemma Redgrave and Alexander Devrien.
A short synopsis for the new series, due to air in 2025, reads:
‘When a fearsome and ancient species emerges from the ocean, dramatically revealing themselves to humanity, an international crisis is triggered. With the entire population at risk, UNIT step into action as the land and sea wage war.’
Doctor Who returns this Christmas with its annual festive special. Written by former showrunner Steven Moffat, Joy To The World will see Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor come face-to-face with classic villains The Silurians and guest star Nicola Coughlan.