The BBC have released a trailer ahead of the return of Doctor Who later this month.

Doctor Who Flux is a six-part story that debuts in the UK and in the USA on Sunday 31st October, with a debut in Australia the following day. 

It stars Jodie Whittaker in her final full series as The Doctor, although she will appear in three specials next year leading up to the regeneration of the thirteenth Doctor. 

The images show the return of several classic monsters.

The six-part series is described by showrunner Chris Chibnall as six chapters of the same novel, the first time a series of Doctor Who has comprised a single story.  The decision to make the series a single story was taken due to restrictions imposed by filming under COVID secure conditions.

Each episode has been written by Chibnall himself except for episode four which was written by Chibnall and Maxine Alderton, who wrote last seasons' story The Haunting of Villa Diodati. 

The directing credits are shared by two directors. Jamie Magnus Stone has looked after episodes 1, 2, and 4. Stone directed the previous series opener, Spyfall as well as Praxeus; Ascension of the Cybermen and The Timeless Children.

The three remaining episodes have been directed by Doctor Who newcomer Azhur Saleem, who was recommended to the production team by composer Segun Akinola. 

Alongside Whittaker is Mandip Gill returning as Yasmin Khan. They are joined by John Bishop, who plays Dan Lewis, the newest companion to step into and be amazed by the wonders of the TARDIS. 

Returning to the series are the Sontarans, first created by Robert Holmes for the 1973 story The Time Warrior. Chibnall promises the Sontarans will pose a real threat to The Doctor with one episode focusing on the warriors. The look of the aliens has been updated by series designer Ray Holman who told Doctor Who Magazine he went back to the original design to get inspiration for their 2021 makeover. 

Doctor Who: Flux can be seen on BBC One on Sunday 31st October at a time to be confirmed.  

Jodie Whittaker has already filmed the final three episodes of her tenure as The Doctor which will be screened next year. Her final episode will be part of a special season making the 100th Anniversary of the BBC. 

The 2023 season, making Doctor Who's 60th Anniversary, will be written by returning showrunner, Russell T Davies.

The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine previews the brand new series of Doctor Who.

Highlights of the new issue include:

• An exclusive preview of the first episodes of Series 13, with contributions from Chris Chibnall, Jodie Whittaker, Mandip Gill and John Bishop.
• Jacob Anderson answers questions in Out of the TARDIS.
• Costume designer Ray Holman discusses the new-look Sontarans in Series 13.
• Prosthetics designer Danny Marie Elias describes her work reimagining the Sontarans.
• A tribute to the late Tony Selby, one of the most memorable guest stars of the 1980s.
• Collectivity meets fans who are avid collectors of Thirteenth Doctor merchandise.
• A detailed look at Doctor Who’s most successful – and not so successful – relaunches.
• Director Alvin Rakoff shares memories of his late wife Jacqueline Hill, who played Barbara in Doctor Who.
• Apocrypha revisits Storm Warning, Paul McGann’s first Eighth Doctor audio drama.
• The Fact of Fiction analyses the 2007 classic Blink.
• The DWM comic strip returns with The Forest Bride, the first part of a brand-new adventure for the Doctor and Yaz.
• Sufficient Data explores Doctor Who’s big ideas.
• Previews, reviews, news, prize-winning competitions, Time and Space Visualiser and more.
•  

PLUS:

• A 28-page supplement on the making of Series 12, written by Andrew Pixley
• A diorama of the Fifth Doctor’s TARDIS control room
• Four exclusive art cards
• A download code for a free Big Finish audiobook!

Doctor Who Magazine Issue 570 is on sale from panini.co.uk and WH Smith from Thursday 14 October priced £9.99 (UK). Also available as a digital edition from pocketmags.com priced £8.99.

The BBC has announced that Game of Thrones star Jacob Anderson is set to make his debut on Doctor Who later this year, playing Vinder.

As a recurring character throughout the series, Jacob’s new role will see him join forces with the Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Yaz (Mandip Gill) and Dan Lewis (John Bishop) as the Doctor faces her biggest ever adventure battling evil across time and space.

Known to millions as Grey Worm in Game of Thrones, Anderson is a star of stage and screen and has appeared in many television series including Episodes, Broadchurch and Skins as well as roles in King Lear at the Young Vic and War Horse at the National Theatre.

Anderson is also a successful music artist who goes under the name Raleigh Ritchie.

Speaking about joining Doctor Who, Jacob Anderson said

Jacob’s role was announced at today’s Doctor Who San Diego Comic-Con panel where Chris Chibnall, Jodie Whittaker, Mandip Gill and John Bishop teased what is in store for the Doctor.

Doctor Who will return later this year.

A post-credit teaser for a new companion to join the Doctor for Series 13 was broadcast straight after this year's New Year's Day special, Revolution of the Daleks ended.

Welcome to the TARDIS...

The BBC have issued a press release to introduce the actor playing the new character, Dan.

The Thirteenth Doctor and Yaz are set to welcome a new face to the TARDIS later this year as actor and comedian John Bishop joins the cast as ‘Dan’.

 

If I could tell my younger self that one day I would be asked to step on board the TARDIS, I would never have believed it.
— John Bishop

As he becomes embroiled in the Doctor’s adventures, Dan will quickly learn there’s more to the Universe(s) than he could ever believe. Travelling through Space and Time alongside the Doctor and Yaz, he’ll face evil alien races beyond his wildest nightmares.

Speaking about joining the show, John says:

If I could tell my younger self that one day I would be asked to step on board the TARDIS, I would never have believed it. It’s an absolute dream come true to be joining Doctor Who and I couldn’t wish for better company than Jodie and Mandip.

Chris Chibnall, Showrunner, adds:

It’s time for the next chapter of Doctor Who, and it starts with a man called Dan. Oh, we’ve had to keep this one secret for a long, long time. Our conversations started with John even before the pandemic hit. The character of Dan was built for him, and it’s a joy to have him aboard the TARDIS.

Piers Wenger, Controller, BBC Drama, says:

We are beyond thrilled to have John Bishop joining Doctor Who. Alongside Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill, John is a wonderful addition to the show and we have no doubt that series 13 is going to be another thrilling set of adventures for the Doctor.

The 13th series of Doctor Who began filming in November 2020. John has already begun filming and will make his first appearance when the 13th series starts on BBC One later in 2021.

The BBC has announced that filming has begun on Series 13 of Doctor Who, the 39th season since Doctor Who began in November 1963

The Thirteenth Doctor is on her way back with Jodie Whittaker once again reprising her role as the Doctor, but next seasons run will be curtailed to just eight episodes due to current restrictions over COVID-19

With safety protocols in place, the Doctor Who team are now filming under strict industry and government guidelines to ensure the safety of all cast and crew. Due to the added time and protocols required, the team will be completing a total of eight episodes rather than the usual eleven.

Talking about the new series, Showrunner Chris Chibnall said

Matt Strevens, Executive Producer BBC Studios, added:

Piers Wenger, Controller BBC Drama, said: 

The Thirteenth Doctor was last seen in the dramatic series 12 finale where the fate of the Doctor was seemingly left hanging in the balance after she was locked away in an eternal prison. In the upcoming festive special, titled ‘Revolution of the Daleks’, the Doctor’s best friends Yaz (played by Mandip Gill), Ryan (played by Tosin Cole) and Graham (played by Bradley Walsh) have to pick up their lives without her. However they soon discover a disturbing plan forming involving one of the Doctor’s biggest and most feared enemies – the Daleks. How do you fight the Daleks without the Doctor?

With the Doctor’s fate unknown, just what will series 13 bring?

Revolution of the Daleks will air on BBC One over the festive period. Doctor Who is a BBC Studios production.