Get excited, Doctor Who fans. We’ll get a female Doctor on our screens next year, and in a series of official books as well.
One of the most exciting aspects surrounding the announcement of Doctor Who’s first female Doctor is the wide variety of tie-in merchandise we’ll soon be able to purchase. Just think: Female Doctor action figures, T-shirts and all manner of goodies are headed our way. Including a collection of tie-in novels about Thirteen’s adventures.
BBC Books and Penguin Publishing Random House Children’s UK officially confirmed the release of a new series of stories based on the Thirteenth Doctor, from season 11 forward. This news isn’t that surprising – Penguin have published Doctor Who-related literary materials for years. And every other Doctor has tie-in novels and assorted other offerings outside the world of the show. So, obviously, Thirteen should be no different. It’s just nice to see confirmed in print, is all.
This exclusive deal covers fiction, non-fiction, activity, novelty and audio texts. What these offerings will eventually include remains unclear at the moment. Best guess probably involves a few novels, perhaps a coloring book, and the Official Annual released each year.
Content galore for Doctor Who fans
The goal is to publish content for all levels of Doctor Who fans. That includes newcomers to the world of Whittaker’s Doctor, as well as existing fans who’ve been with the show for years. So there should be something for everyone, from casual viewers to die-hards.
As Penguin Random House Children’s UK Managing Director Francesca Dow’s explains in the official press release:
"“What an exciting time to be renewing our partnership with BBC Worldwide as Doctor Who moves into a new era with its first female Doctor. Doctor Who stands for transformational magical storytelling and we can’t wait to take the new Doctor on new adventures in our books as we continue to expand the Doctor Who universe. We’ll be publishing for brand new fans meeting the Doctor for the very first time, as well as the existing fans who already know and love the show as much as we do.”"
Thirteen will debut in this year’s Christmas special, which will see outgoing Doctor Peter Capaldi regenerate into Whittaker. Sadly we won’t see much of Whittaker’s Doctor until the show returns with a new season in 2018. But it’s still pretty exciting to think about all the things that are waiting for us once we do.
Next: The Doctor’s Daughter is coming to our ears and BBC, why?
Doctor Who will return this December with Christmas installment “Twice Upon a Time”.