After an axed Christmas special and some speculation about the show’s future, the BBC has confirmed they plan to air new Doctor Who in 2028/29. Previously, the broadcaster said that the show was out “to competitive tender this year”, meaning it was up for grabs by different production companies. However, the BBC will still transmit the show. The company also strongly denied accusations they were “shelving” the series. And now, the BBC has shared exactly what they’ll be looking for in a new season in an invitation to tender, which has reminded some of the show’s 2005 transformative reboot. “The contract is for a multi-episodic series (including specials) for transmission in 2028/29, with an option to extend the contract at BBC’s discretion to produce a second series,” the “opportunity” description reads. Billie Piper as Rose in 2026's Dr Who “We are looking for a new perspective that ensures Doctor Who remains relevant, surprising, brave and inspiring for both long-standing fans and new audiences... “We are flexible in the way the series is structured i.e. serialised or ‘story-of-the-week’ and the number of episodes which make up the series,” it continues. “We are not necessarily looking to work to a strict showrunner model and would expect once in production that the series will also use episodic writers.” The new series is going to have to impress among a slew of great content, too. “Visually, the series should feel cinematic, distinctive, and ambitious, capable of competing for audience attention in a highly competitive global market. We encourage innovative approaches to production, world-building, visual effects, and storytelling that maximise the scale and emotional impact of the Doctor Who universe.” Producers have to develop at least one companion for the new series, which the BBC hopes will “transport audiences to extraordinary times and places, ranging from historical settings to distant futures, alien worlds, and contemporary Earth. “Successful pitches will deliver ‘back of the sofa’ scares, jeopardy and tension, whilst remaining suitable for a broad family audience. Doctor Who embraces themes that celebrate curiosity, courage, intelligence, and compassion, themes that interrogate the human condition and most of all, it should and will always be distinctively British storytelling.” The document ends, “Doctor Who is a show that has sparked conversation, taken risks and inspired audiences for decades, and we are looking for this series to continue that tradition.” The new series will follow a Doctor Who cliffhanger that stopped fans in their tracks, with Ncuti Gatwa’s Time Lord regenerating into former companion Billie Piper‘s character, Rose Tyler. Billie has previously said of her new storyline, “I am not the next Doctor, I am Rose Tyler in hiatus... Sorry, that’s a really cryptic answer, but because I’m not currently filming Doctor Who as The Doctor, I can’t lie and say otherwise.” The BBC’s deadline for new submissions ends on October 2. Related... BBC Exec Has 5 Words For Doctor Who Fans Amid Speculation About The Show's Future Billie Piper Has A Message For Doctor Who Fans Wondering What's Next For Her In The Show 'Lots Of Fun And Gossip’: Russell T Davies Announces Brand-New Project Just Days After Doctor Who Exit