The much-anticipated eleventh season of 'Doctor Who' always promised an air date of autumn but now we know specifically when that will be.
It was announced today that the new ten-part series is set to kick off on Sunday, 7th October. Yep, the traditionally Saturday-evening show is moving to a new time slot for what will mark Jodie Whittaker's first outing as the Time Lord as well as the first time a woman plays the role. She is taking the reigns from Peter Capaldi who finished up on the show last Christmas after four years.
It’s About Time… #DoctorWho
Release date varies by country. Check local listings. pic.twitter.com/d7CyvMuQIW— Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) September 5, 2018
New 'Doctor Who' showrunner Chris Chibnall said of the move: "Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor is about to burst into Sunday nights - and make the end of the weekend so much more exciting. Get everybody’s homework done, sort out your Monday clothes, then grab some special Sunday night popcorn, and settle down with all of the family for Sunday night adventures across space and time. (Also, move the sofa away from the wall so parents can hide behind it during the scary bits). The Thirteenth Doctor is falling from the sky and it’s going to be a blast."
It will be welcome news to fans of the show as the time slot was often moved around on a Saturday evening to accommodate 'Strictly Come Dancing' and the like.
"I feel it’s slightly used as a pawn in a Saturday night warfare," Peter Capaldi commented in 2015. "I feel as if it should go out at 7:30pm or around that time.
"I see a lot of kids and a lot of families and these families who all love 'Doctor Who' want to sit down and watch it together. I used to do that with my daughter when it came back so it has to be on at a time that’s reasonable for them to do that."
Former showrunner Steven Moffat also partially blamed the series’ struggling ratings in recent years on such changes: "I don’t think 8:25pm is brilliant for Doctor Who," he said in 2015.
"I’m not blasting the BBC or getting cross or anything, but that’s not smart. I don’t think anyone thinks that’s smart. If there’s a slight, and it’s only a slight, drop off, it’s I think, that’s not where Doctor Who’s meant to be."
The specific time 'Doctor Who' will go out on October 7th has yet to be announced but we will keep you posted.
