Rumour: Series 11 Won’t Air Until Autumn 2018

Some fans had assumed that the Series 10 delay would re-establish a consistent yearly spring broadcast schedule for Doctor Who, as seen with the first several series of the modern era.

However rumours swirling this week following Capaldi’s departure announcement suggest Series 11 will not begin filming until early 2018, for broadcast in the autumn of 2018. Meaning another lengthy gap for fans, with only the 2017 Christmas special to break things up.

Future showrunner Chris Chibnall reportedly told the RadioTimes the reason is that he has “not yet been able to fully dedicate himself to Doctor Who”.

Their report continues:

Chibnall said he “hadn’t started yet” on the show and that all his energies were currently focused on season three of his ITV crime drama Broadchurch (which stars former Doctor Who David Tennant). The series has been shot but Chibnall said he is still working on the editing of the eight-part story which sees Tennant and Olivia Colman’s detectives investigate a violent rape.

It is also understood that Chibnall is keen to leave Steven Moffat and Peter Capaldi as much freedom as possible to make their final series of Doctor Who “unhindered”, according to key figures on the show.

Chibnall added that after Broadchurch airs he plans to take a holiday before beginning work in earnest on Doctor Who.

According to sources, the search for a new Doctor will be completed in the autumn and the new Time Lord will appear in an on-screen regeneration when Capaldi leaves the role in the 2017 Christmas special.

The new 12-part series begins on BBC1 on 15th April after a year’s break and will be Steven Moffat’s last in charge.

Chibnall’s series is slated to begin filming early next year with a likely broadcast in the autumn of 2018, according to sources.