Doctor Who to Split in Two Next Season

Here’s some good news for Doctor Who fans, who I will call Whosiers from here on out*: there’s sort of going to be more Doctor Who every year but not really! Let’s break down that confusing sentence, shall we?

Writer/Producer Steven Moffat recently told UK’s The Guardian that the upcoming series of Who will be split into two, smaller series, and broadcast more frequently throughout the year. So instead of one thirteen episode series, and a Christmas Special (the way the show has been broadcast for the past four years), the upcoming season will break down like this:

• Seven episodes, with what Moffat describes as a “game-changing cliffhanger,” ending around Easter.
• Six episodes, starting in the Fall, leading up to Thanksgiving.
• A Christmas Special.

The hope is that this would continue, and though we’ll still only be getting thirteen hours throughout the year, plus an over-sized special, the wait between seasons would be far less.

In addition, Moffat is careful to state that this is not two seasons, nor is it just being cut up in the middle. He’s building it as more “event” episodes. So we’ll get two season premieres and two season enders per series, rather than the usual one of each.

Clearly what’s being unsaid is that the BBC, and Moffat, would like to correct the downwards rating spiral of the past season of Who. Though the show was well liked by critics, viewers fled en masse after David Tennant left his role as The Doctor. The hope, of course, is that more event-status episodes will draw viewers back.

As for BBC America’s schedule, that hasn’t been announced yet. Our sources there tell us that it's, "too early to say," but they are working on it. Our speculation? If it follows the same pattern as last season, it will be a few weeks after our over-the-pond neighbors. That is not an Amy Pond pun, by the way.

In the same article, Moffat proves himself a feminist by explaining why Karen Gillan is sexy in a swimsuit, and why The Doctor can’t be a woman. Yeash.

The next Doctor Who will be broadcast on Christmas in the UK, and we’ll have an interview with Karen Gillan about the episode – and how many seasons she’ll be coming back for – well before that. So stay tuned, Whosiers.

*I’m sure there’s some sort of fan name. Whovians maybe? But mine is better. Deal with it.