DOCTOR WHO: DISNEY+ PRAISES 'BRILLIANT' BBC TEAM FOLLOWING STREAMING DEAL

Disney+ bosses have spoken about the new era of Doctor Who at this year's Edinburgh Television Festival - the annual event in the Scottish capital where the television industry gathers to chew over the past year and look ahead to the year ahead.

In October is was announced that the BBC and Disney Television have come together to "transform Doctor Who into a global franchise for UK audiences and the rest of the world."

Under a shared creative vision, the BBC say they, in partnership with Disney, will deliver this quintessentially British show to future generations on an unprecedented scale with Disney+ as the exclusive home for new seasons of Doctor Who outside the UK and Ireland.

Speaking at the Edinburgh Television Festival today (Wednesday 23rd August), TV Zone asked Disney+'s Senior Vice President of original content Liam Keelan about the thinking behind the deal with the BBC.

He responded: "I haven't been involved in that one. It is a UK show, and, you know, I've worked many years at the BBC, and I know best not to get involved because they've got a brilliant commissioning team there. They've also got Russell T Davis who I'm sure is very much his own voice, so, you know, that show will look after itself, I'm sure."

Speaking in October, the BBC's Charlotte Moore added on the Disney deal: "Russell T Davies' vision for Doctor Who has always been out of this world and we are committed to ensuring that audiences across the globe get the opportunity to enjoy the Doctor's epic adventures with the scale and ambition that they deserve. Joining forces with Disney will elevate the show to even greater heights and reach new audiences so it's an extremely exciting time for fans in the UK and across the world."

Ayo Davis, President, Disney Branded Television said: "Doctor Who has captivated the imaginations of families around the world for the past six decades. We are so excited about this collaboration with the BBC, and the opportunity to bring this iconic franchise – and Russell T Davies' brilliant vision – to life for a huge new global audience. Grab your sonic screwdrivers and prepare to travel through time and space!"

Doctor Who returns this November with three specials to mark the sci-fi show's 60th anniversary. The trilogy will see David Tennant and Catherine Tate reprise their roles as The Doctor and Donna Noble respectively. Also starring are Yasmin Finney and Neil Patrick Harris.

Ncuti Gatwa will make his full debut at the Fifteenth Doctor over the festive period alongside Millie Gibson's Ruby Sunday. A new series, comprising of eight episodes, will follow in the first half of 2024.

Doctor Who is a BBC Studios and Bad Wolf production and returns this November on BBC One. Watch previous episodes on BBC iPlayer.