STV Studios and Screen Scotland have launched a bid to move Doctor Who production to Glasgow. this initiative follows a BBC directive to relocate the science-fiction series from London and Wales.
The Scottish lineage of the Time Lord
The proposal to relocate the series to Glasgow is bolstered by a deep historical connection between the franchise and Scotland. As the report notes, many of the show's most prominent actors have Scottish roots, including former Doctors David Tennant and Peter Capaldi, as well as the current lead, Ncuti Gatwa. even the character Amy Pond, played by Karen Gillan, brings a regional connection to the narrative.
Beyond the cast, the very design of the TARDIS features a Scottish link, as the police box was originally created by Scottish architect Gilbert Mackenzie Trench in 1929. This cultural overlap suggests that a Glasgow-based production would not be a departure from the show's identity, but rather a homecoming for its aesthetic and human elements.
A £100 million stake in Scottish drama
This production shift aligns with a broader political and economic strategy involving the BBC's commitment to regional investment. According to the source, the BBC has pledged to invest £100 million into Scottish drama production over a three-year period. This move could help mend relations with Scottish audiences following the controversial cancellation of the soap opera River City.
By centering Doctor Who in Glasgow, STV Studios and Screen Scotland aim to leverage this massive investment to bolster the local creative economy.. The transition would represent a significant pivot for the BBC, moving the production away from its long-standing Welsh and London-centric roots to tap into the burgeoning talent pool in Scotland and ensure diverse regional representation in high-budget television.
Jed Mercurio and the battle for the BBC contract
The competition for the production rights is intense, featuring high-profile names like Hat Trick Mercurio and World Productions. Hat Trick Mercurio, led by Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio and founder Jimmy Mulville, is positioning itself as a major contender. The BBC is expected to interview shortlisted candidates in January, with a final decision on the contract slated for March.
The winning entity will be responsible for crafting a vision for a series that is slated to return to television screens by 2028 or 2029. This mandate requires a producer capable of maintaining a global brand while navigating the complexities of a show that has been evolving since its 1963 debut .
Why A24 UK and Mammoth Screen declined to bid
Despite the high stakes, the bidding process has seen several major industry players opt out. As reported by Deadline, companies such as A24 UK, Playground, and Mammoth Screen have decided not to participate in the tender. These firms reportedly cited the immense scale of the commitment and the complicated rights associated with the long-running BBC property.
This leaves several critical questions regarding the feasibility of an external takeover. Industry insiders have expressed skepticism, suggesting that the task of managing the series is so specialized that few external entities could succeed. It remains to be seen if the BBC's desire for decentralization will outweigh the perceived safety of keeping the series within its own internal production ecosystem at BBC Studios.
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