Director of BBC Wales Rhodri Talfan Davies has revealed that the next series of Doctor Who will not be filmed until social distancing measures have been completely removed.
Now that the worst of the coronavirus pandemic appears to be over, TV productions have begun to tentatively restart - albeit while respecting the government's current two-metre distancing rule.
According to Davies, however, filming new episodes of Doctor Who under such constraints is not possible due to the nature of the show, so production remains on hold for the time being.
"It'll be down to social distancing," he told an RTS event. "A production like that, which at any point employs hundreds of people, freelance and stuff, I don't believe can be made to the current standard in a socially-distanced environment. So it depends when you think social distancing is going to end."
Referring to Who's Cardiff base, he added: "It may well be that the rules on social distancing in Wales are different to those in England - and obviously each production centre from those two countries is going to need to respond to the specific rules and regulations that each of the governments are introducing."
Despite the production hiatus, the long-running sci-fi drama will return this Christmas with a new episode, 'Revolution of the Daleks', which was filmed before the coronavirus lockdown began.
Neil Wilkes
Follow us on Bluesky or on X/Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest entertainment news alerts.
Media Mole's Lowest Ever Sky Offer: Get Sky Essential, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £15 a month + £0 upfront fee for 24 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends March 19, 2025
