Animated Doctor Who spinoff (CBeebies)

[BluBonnet]

This is quite the announcement! Was not expecting this....

‘Doctor Who’ Animated Series Heading To BBC

The Doctor Who tardis is heading to BBC pre-school channel CBeebies.

The BBC has announced the next stage in the expansion of its Whoniverse, a pre-school animation version of its big-selling IP, which just wrapped second season under returned showrunner Russell T. Davies.

The show will see the Doctor travelling through time and space for the pre-school audience, solving mysteries and problems alongside their companions and other friends. And, of course, they may come up against one or two challenges on their way, the BBC said.

The BBC has set out a desire to find a “passionate production company” to produce the series, which will run independently from the main show. Disney, which co-produces the Bad Wolf and BBC Studios-produced main version, will not be involved with the animation.

Speaking about the plans, Patricia Hidalgo, Director of Children’s and Education said: “Everyone is welcome at CBeebies, including the Doctor. This much-loved franchise entertains millions around the world, so it is only right that our younger audience get to experience the wonder and the magic of the Doctor in a brand new format. This is an extremely exciting opportunity, and we are looking forward to welcoming companies to pitch for this new project, as we continue our commitment and investment in the UK’s animation industry.”

Doctor Who just wrapped its second season under Davies to mixed reviews and ratings, with Gatwa regenerating and exiting the show, replaced at least for now by Billie Piper, a former Doctor companion. “Just how and why she [Billie Piper] is back remains to be seen…,” said the BBC at the time.

The BBC and Disney+ are also prepping the first Whoniverse spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea.

Animated versions of big IP has been a big topic at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Last night, a packed audience was treated to early footage and designs from the new Stranger Things animation. BBC Children’s commissioners led an Annecy session this morning at the MIFA industry sidebar.

[demonbeast]

Sarah Jane Adventures was decent, especially for younger kids, but adults could also happily watch along too, I know I did.

A CBeebies show doesn't inspire confidence, especially an animated one that will no doubt be very cheaply made. “passionate production company” this is something the BBC could easily do themselves, the fact they aren't speaks volumes.

Honestly, given that no one has pitched or signed on, I'm guessing this never gets made. If this had happened ten years ago, I could see it as a way to expand the franchise, but now there's no chance.

[Eidolon]

For Cebeebies? It really shows that the BBC don't have a clue what to do with this property anymore

[BluBonnet]

Maybe if younger kids start watching The Doctor from an early age, they will be more likely to grow up to become lifelong fans?

It definitely worked for me!

[demonbeast]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

Maybe if younger kids start watching The Doctor from an early age, they will be more likely to grow up to become lifelong fans?

It definitely worked for me!

I think this is the plan, but the announcement seems more like a hope rather than anyone has actually signed on to develop.

Given that the Disney deal gave the show a massive increase in budget and resulted in the worst ratings in the show's history if they had decent scripts the main show would still be on.

BluBonnet, what do you think about the rumours that the BBC has amazingly managed to find another partner to develop/distribute the show? RTD seems to be the issue. Personally, he needs to go with a completely new showrunner and team that would at least generate some goodwill and might persuade some of the old audience to give it a chance, while hopefully getting new fans on board.

[kevin87]

Originally Posted by Eidolon

For Cebeebies? It really shows that the BBC don't have a clue what to do with this property anymore

Not that surprising, Doctor Who and The War Between the Land and the Sea are BBC One, Sarah Jane was CBBC, Torchwood and Class were both BBC Three. Only thing left is BBC Two lol

Not really interested in this, and it'd depend on the animation style anyway... so I'm probably out.

[BluBonnet]

I believe in The Doctor

[frankrizzo13]

Maybe it'll be full of dick and fart jokes like BB's favorite cartoon, Velma.

[BluBonnet]

[demonbeast]

Originally Posted by kevin87

Not that surprising, Doctor Who and The War Between the Land and the Sea are BBC One, Sarah Jane was CBBC, Torchwood and Class were both BBC Three. Only thing left is BBC Two lol

Not really interested in this, and it'd depend on the animation style anyway... so I'm probably out.

I think The War Between the Land and the Sea is part of the Disney/BBC deal with RTD and Bad Wolf producing like series 1&2.
Torchwood was on various BBC channels, likely for financing the last series was funded by Starz.

I'm cautiously optimistic that, unencumbered by the name Doctor Who The War Between the Land and the Sea will be halfway decent. The cast is decent enough. I wonder what the budget is for this?

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by demonbeast

I think The War Between the Land and the Sea is part of the Disney/BBC deal with RTD and Bad Wolf producing like series 1&2.
Torchwood was on various BBC channels, likely for financing the last series was funded by Starz.

I'm cautiously optimistic that, unencumbered by the name Doctor Who The War Between the Land and the Sea will be halfway decent. The cast is decent enough. I wonder what the budget is for this?

Yes, it's part of the BBC/Disney deal.

I think that should give them a nice budget - but even if that wasn't the case, having a low-budget didn't stop some of the earliest episodes of the series from being quite entertaining. Sure, the seams showed, but I'm sure most kids didn't even notice.