The beloved sci-fi franchise is getting a new animated adventure from Blue Zoo
Doctor Who is heading somewhere it has never gone before: preschool television. The BBC and CBeebies have commissioned a new animated series from Blue Zoo Animation Studio, with Dominic Minns serving as series director and creative director at the studio.
Minns is an experienced name in children’s animation, having directed Supertato, one of CBeebies’ highest-rated programs, and created the BAFTA-winning Tee and Mo. The new Doctor Who will consist of 52 11-minute episodes across two seasons, with the first episodes expected to air in 2027–28 and the remainder in 2028–29.
“My goal is to fully utilize the full talents of both Blue and Brighton Zoo,” Minns said, describing his plan to capture the show’s “epic scale and wonder” while making it relatable for preschoolers.
Time Travel, Mysteries and New Friends
While specific storylines and voice casting have yet to be revealed, the premise gives parents a good idea of what to expect. The animated Doctor will travel through time and space, solving mysteries and problems alongside companions and other friends, with the series designed specifically for young children.
Importantly, the preschool show will operate independently from the live-action Doctor Who series. That means families won’t need extensive knowledge of Daleks, Time Lords or decades of continuity for preschoolers to jump aboard the TARDIS.
The creative team is also emphasizing humor, wonder and accessibility rather than simply shrinking the existing series for younger viewers. Blue Zoo co-founder Adam Shaw praised Minns for his “brilliant instinct for what makes children’s content resonate with audiences.”
A New Generation of Whovians
For Doctor Who, the move represents another expansion of a franchise that has been entertaining audiences for generations. The series first premiered in 1963, returned after a long hiatus in 2005 and has since become one of Britain’s best-known television exports, producing numerous Doctors, companions, spin-offs, specials and international fan communities.
Now, the BBC is betting that the franchise can begin creating fans even earlier. The preschool project is particularly notable because it represents the first time the Whoniverse has been extended into preschool animation, giving children their own entry point into a science-fiction universe that has already lasted more than six decades.
For parents who grew up with the Doctor, it could offer something even more appealing than nostalgia: a chance to introduce their children to the TARDIS for the very first time.
