Image: BBC Press
By Jon Donnis
British animation studio Blue Zoo has landed the contract to produce a brand new Doctor Who animated series for pre-school audiences, following a highly competitive pitch process run by BBC Children's and Education. The series will air on CBeebies and be available on BBC iPlayer, bringing the iconic franchise to its youngest viewers for the first time.
UK producers were invited to submit pitches in June 2025 as part of a fair and open commissioning process. From a strong and diverse range of proposals, Blue Zoo's concept emerged top after being assessed against the BBC's published criteria.
The new show, inspired by the long running Doctor Who universe, has been commissioned for 52 eleven minute episodes spread across two series. Production is scheduled to begin in 2026. The project marks the first expansion of the Whoniverse into animation created specifically for pre-school children, representing a significant new direction for the brand.
Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children's and Education, said the BBC is thrilled to welcome the Doctor to CBeebies, introducing a much loved family favourite to younger audiences in a completely new way. She added that the series reinforces the BBC's commitment to supporting the British animation sector by backing homegrown productions with global appeal. Hidalgo also praised the overall standard of submissions, noting that the bidding process was exceptionally competitive and that the shortlisted pitches were of outstanding quality.
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