TV Series

Chris Chibnall thinks the new series of Doctor Who is “the perfect stepping on point.”

By Christel Dee

Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall has revealed more details about the upcoming series in a brand new interview:

Do viewers need to have seen Doctor Who before to enjoy this series?

“Not at all. This series is the perfect stepping on point.

With the new Doctor you’ve got a new beginning, a new opportunity for people to join the show as viewers, for people who might have drifted away or haven’t seen the show for a few years, or 10 years or 20 years; it’s a great time to remind people of how amazing Doctor Who is and to have a restart. But also, it’s a great time for a new generation of children and families to start the habit of gathering around the television together to watch this funny, scary, extraordinary show!

It’s not a reboot, it’s just that great, unique thing which is built into Doctor Who: a fresh start happens every few years. This is no different to when Tom Baker changed to Peter Davison, or when the show went from black and white to colour, with Patrick Troughton handing over to Jon Pertwee. The show has a history of renewal, while also staying faithful to what it is.

The amazing thing about Doctor Who is this fresh start every few years which brings a whole new jolt of energy to the show. And hopefully encourages the next generation of audiences to try the show, while also reminding existing audiences why they love it.

Casting a new actor also brings in new opportunities to think about where the show is, think about where the world is, think about where you might want the stories to go. I hope we’ve got a fresh set of stories that are engaged with, and resonate with, the world we live in now.”

What can viewers expect this series?

“You can expect emotion, you can expect action and adventure and monsters and far off planets and huge alien vistas. You can expect a lot of humour, a lot of warmth and some great characters. Four great new friends for you to meet as they go through past, present and future and meet some incredible people from history and go and battle on alien planets and fight threats closer to home. It’s really a whole array of different stories. Ten individual stories that show off the range of the Thirteenth Doctor and her friends but also of the show as a whole. I hope you can expect everything you’ve ever loved about Doctor Who.

More than anything, it’s hopefully incredibly entertaining and I think this series has something for absolutely everyone. If you’ve seen Doctor Who before I hope we’re going to be giving you all the stuff you love. If you’ve never seen it before, this is the place to start and I think you’re in for a rollicking ride.”

The new series of Doctor Who, starring Jodie Whittaker, launches on Sunday 7th October. Release date varies by country - check local listings.

More on TV Series

Sorry there is no content available for your region.

more from the whoniverse

Explore

Show Info

Explore

Stories

Explore

Play

More From Read and Watch

Arthur Darvill on Rory's reunion with River Song

16 Sep 2026

Ahead of their return in a new series of audio adventures, Arthur Darvill speaks to Doctor Who Magazine about his character's timey-wimey relationship with his daughter...

DWM 634
Features

A Brief History of the Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver

4 Sep 2026

Everything you need to know about the Doctor's most trusted gizmo...

Fugitive Doctor sonic
Features

Waris Hussein and Carole Ann Ford on working with William Hartnell

27 Aug 2026

The series' first ever director and the Doctor's original companion reminisce together in a new episode of The Whoniverse Show...

Whoniverse Show
Features

David Tennant on the Tenth Doctor's adventures with Rani Chandra

14 Aug 2026

Doctor Who Magazine speaks to David Tennant about stepping back into his old trainers in a new series of Big Finish audio adventures...

David Tennant and Anjli Mohindra
Features

First look at Circuit Breaker story 'The Honourable Society'

20 Jul 2026

The Fugitive Doctor's adventure continues in the pages of this month's Doctor Who Magazine...

Sontaran villain wearing a read hooded cloak
Features

from the store

More from the store

Circuit Breaker 

Momento Mori

Coming 27.08.2026 to Doctor Who: Lost in Time

Not available in your area

Circuit Breaker Product 9
Circuit Breaker

Circuit Breaker 

The Doctor and the Three Witches

Coming 20.08.2026 to Puffin Books

Not available in your area

Circuit Breaker Product 8
Circuit Breaker

Circuit Breaker 

Don't Blink!

Coming 17.08.2026 to UNIT HQ

Not available in your area

Circuit Breaker Product 7
Circuit Breaker

Circuit Breaker 

Castling

Coming 06.08.2026 to Doctor Who: Lost in Time

Not available in your area

Circuit Breaker Product 6
Circuit Breaker