Doctor Who start date confirmed as show moves to Sunday nights

The BBC has announced the air date for Doctor Who’s new series in 2018.

Doctor Who’s 11th series will move to Sundays, the BBC has revealed.

The opening episode, The Woman Who Fell to Earth, will air on Sunday 7 October 2018.

Never before in the show’s history has an entire series descended to earth on a Sunday. This year marks a brand new era with a new Showrunner, a new Doctor, new friends and a whole host of new monsters – so it’s only fitting that the new Time Lord will land in a new time zone on BBC One.

Chris Chibnall, Showrunner, said: “New Doctor, new home! 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.”

Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, added: “With Chris Chibnall at the helm and Jodie Whittaker’s arrival as the new Doctor we are heralding a brand new era for the show and so it feels only right to give it a new home on Sunday nights at the heart of BBC One’s Autumn schedule. ”

Earlier this year, the BBC revealed a brand new look for the show featuring a new logo and title and it immediately split fans.

On the one hand there was a LOT of love for the new titles.

“OH MY GOODNESS. THE FEELS. I AM IN LOVE. #DoctorWho” declared one fan in response.

But others weren’t as enthusiastic.

“Like a medieval TV series. I don’t like it. Change it, now. Where is TARDIS’ blue?” reacted another.

And a third had bigger concerns, writing: “I mean, it’s a logo. Looks fine to me but I can’t say it’s something I worry about, more important things that need to be ‘right’ with the show.”

Broadchurch star Jodie Whittaker will become the first ever woman Doctor when the main series launches this year, fresh from the Christmas special.

She’ll join the series alongside another Broadchurch name, creator Chris Chibnall who will become the new Doctor Who showrunner.

Jodie said: “I’m beyond excited to begin this epic journey – with Chris and with every Whovian on this planet.

“It’s more than an honour to play the Doctor. It means remembering everyone I used to be, while stepping forward to embrace everything the Doctor stands for: hope. I can’t wait.”

Outgoing Doctor Peter Capaldi said last year: “Doctor Who has taken me on an amazing journey.

“Now that it’s coming to an end, I wish the Doctor all the very best for the future, and the past, and everything in-between. Time I was off.”