The Russell T Davies Whouniverse continues forward as details for a Doctor Who spinoff series become known which will star Jemma Redgrave and that the franchise is using tech similar to Marvel.
Davies recently filled in GQ that he believes the “spin-offs are ready” and wants to take Doctor Who to the “next stage” and said that he has “always believed in spin-offs” as under his previous regime there were Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures spinoffs.
Details for the Doctor Who Jemma Redgrave UNIT spinoff
Details for the new spinoff series include it will focus on Jemma Redgrave returning as Kate Stewart the leader of the military organization known as UNIT, which was restored in last year’s third Doctor Who Special, “The Power of the Doctor,” which also saw Jodie Whittaker’s exit, David Tennant’s return, and new Doctor Ncuti Gatwa introduced and teased.
Jemma Redgrave starred as Kate Stewart in 10 episodes of Doctor Who since 2012 when Steven Moffat was the showrunner, and according to Deadline the spinoff series will focus on her running the UNIT organization.
The official announcement was first made in January by the BBC with Aneurin Barnard also joining the series as the mysterious Roger ap Gwilliam.
🚨 Cast announcements 🚨
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) January 9, 2023
UNIT returns! Jemma Redgrave returns as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, and UNIT, the long-running organisation set on defending the Earth, returns in the next series of #DoctorWho.
Aneurin Barnard also joins the series as the mysterious Roger ap Gwilliam. pic.twitter.com/OkDsuC2ZMh
It’s also confirmed Jemma Redgrave will appear in the Doctor Who Christmas Special later this year featuring the first time we’ll see Ncuti Gatwa as the 14th Doctor, with the Christmas Special returning following a seven-year absence as the Chris Chibnall and Jodie Whittaker era did away with the Christmas Specials in favor of New Years Specials.
Also set to air this year and before the Christmas Special is the three-episode 60th Anniversary Doctor Who Specials event featuring David Tennant and Catherine Tate.
Russell T Davies excited for Doctor Who Season 14 and spinoffs
The Doctor Who universe and spinoff come as the show has signed a big deal with Disney Plus to release the new series for the U.S. and international audiences outside the U.K.
“I did Torchwood as a spin-off, The Sarah Jane Adventures as a spin-off. Those spin-offs declined when I left, and I can see why. And I very much left after 2008, when the money became scarce, I think that’s fair enough for the public service broadcaster that the money is spent on other things,” Davies told GQ. “But now, it wasn’t my idea, it was the BBC’s notion to go for a streamer [Disney+] to invest in the show worldwide, which I completely agree with.”
The VFX Coordinator on the series recently offered they are using tech just like the MCU.
“We’re using top-of-the-range technology, the kind that Marvel films use, to make Doctor Who in Wales, which I think is pretty spectacular. It means Doctor Who is at the forefront of pushing the boundaries,” Siân Reynish told Doctor Who Magazine.
Davies also filled in BBC Radio his upcoming Season 14 Episode 4 is “one of the greatest things I’ve ever made in my life,” which is directed by Dylan Holmes Williams (Servant) who also tweeted his excitement.
As the lucky man who got to direct this incredible script, I’ve got to say I’m very excited about what we created. https://t.co/lXVXDsI3nB
— Dylan Holmes Williams (@dholmeswilliams) March 13, 2023