STV Studios bids to bring Doctor Who production to Glasgow
Glasgow-based STV Studios has submitted a bid to take over production of Doctor Who from the BBC, partnering with Screen Scotland in an effort to relocate the iconic sci-fi series north of the Border. The BBC launched a competitive tender process after stipulating that the next producer must operate outside London, representing a significant opportunity for Scotland's television industry following criticism over the recent cancellation of Scottish soap River City.
Several major production companies have submitted proposals, including Hat Trick Mercurio, the company run by Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio, and World Productions, though many established producers declined to bid owing to concerns about programme rights and the scale of commitment involved. The BBC will interview shortlisted bidders in January and announce its decision in March, with the new series expected to return to screens in 2028 or 2029. Scotland maintains a strong connection to the franchise, having produced three Doctors in recent years: David Tennant, Ncuti Gatwa and Peter Capaldi, whilst the BBC pledged £100 million investment in Scottish drama production over three years.
- STV Studios bids to move Doctor Who production to Scotland
- BBC requires new producer operate outside London for 2028 return
- Scotland pledged £100m drama investment after River City cancellation
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Doctor Who is one of Britain's longest-running and most celebrated science fiction dramas. The BBC has recently initiated a competitive tender process to find a new production company to take over production of the series, moving away from in-house production.
The BBC has stipulated that the new producer must operate outside London, representing a strategic shift in how the show is made. This requirement has opened the competition to studios across the United Kingdom who would not previously have been considered for the role.
Scotland has a strong television production industry and has provided several recent lead actors to the show. The BBC has additionally committed significant investment in Scottish drama production, making this an important opportunity for the nation's television sector.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Scotland has demonstrated genuine talent in Doctor Who with three recent Doctors from north of the Border, and relocating production would represent meaningful economic investment in Scotland's creative sector whilst utilising the BBC's pledged £100 million for Scottish drama. Supporting regional production outside London helps distribute opportunity and infrastructure investment across the UK, showing that major productions can thrive beyond the capital whilst benefiting Scotland's workforce and creative economy.
The case against
Doctor Who is an enormously complex, high-budget production with established systems, expertise and supply chains centred in London, and disrupting this carries real risk to the quality and continuity of a beloved, globally significant franchise. The costs and logistical challenges of relocation may prove inefficient compared to utilising proven London infrastructure, and prioritising geographic distribution over operational effectiveness could ultimately compromise the show's quality and the BBC's return on investment.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “From Gallifrey to Glasgow…is Doctor Who about to find a new home?”.