Serialized Releases: Next Doctor Who to be Split in Two

The BBC have just announced that the next series of Doctor Who will be split into two parts, airing spring and autumn 2011.

Head past the jump to read the full press release.

The BBC and Steven Moffat have announced today that the transmission of the next series of Doctor Who, in 2011, will be split into two blocks, transmitting in spring and autumn.
The split transmission is the result of a request from Steven Moffat to write a new Doctor Who story arc which involves a big plot twist in the middle of the series. By splitting the series Moffat plans to give viewers one of the most exciting Doctor Who cliffhangers and plot twists ever, leaving them waiting, on the edge of their seats, until the autumn to find out what happens.
Steven Moffat said: “The split series is hugely exciting because viewers will be treated to two premieres, two finales and more event episodes. For the kids it will never be more than a few months to the next Doctor Who! Easter, Autumn, Christmas!!”

[BBC]

This is interesting news. I’m not sure how I feel about it at the moment because I was kinda looking forward to watching the entire series without any breaks. That said, it sounds like they will structure the series to function like two miniseries, so it could work a treat and give the series a more epic feel, what with two premieres and finales.

I also wonder whether this restructuring is purely for story reasons or whether it has anything to do with the renewal of Sherlock? Of which Moffat is also a co-creator. I’m not sure whether this is the case, but he did reveal that juggling Who and Sherlock was very demanding on him earlier in the year.

What do you think about this news? Are you happy about the split series, or does this leave you frustrated?

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Tagged as: bbc, doctor who, press releases, serialized releases, steven moffat

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Page 48 August 30, 2010 at 12:25 AM: The split series isn’t entirely distasteful to me because there are so few episodes per year and if they run in consecutive weeks, the result is a huge gap between the end of one series and the beginning of another. That said, my first choice would be more episodes per series, like the traditional American TV season. But even 13 sounds like a bargain compared to the 4 DW specials we saw in 2009 or the 5 eppie mini-series of “Torchwood” that ran last year.
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Roco August 30, 2010 at 2:55 PM: Good points.
I’ve had another day to think about it but I’m still not sure exactly how I feel. I think it will depend largely on how satisfying (or otherwise) the cliffhanger is.
I agree though, more episodes per series would be the ideal scenario.
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