Line of Duty producer's team 'definitely interested' in bidding for Doctor Who amid tender

"There's definitely people in my team who are really interested in it."

Belinda (Varada Sethu) and the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) arrive at the Interstellar Song Contest. They are standing under a hot pink light, which makes Ncuti (right) look like he's dressed entirely in pink. Belinda (left) is in a denim blue jumpsuit. Both look excited, with Belinda holding the Doctor's wrist

BBC

Published: Saturday, 5 September 2026 at 9:00 am

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As talk continues to swirl around Doctor Who's upcoming tender process, Simon Heath, CEO and creative director of World Productions, has revealed that his company may enter a bid.

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World Productions is perhaps best known for its work on Line of Duty, but the company has also been behind shows including Vigil, Karen Pirie, The Bombing of Pan Am 103, Malpractice, Showtrial and upcoming ITV series The Party, amongst many other series.

Heath was speaking with Radio Times exclusively at the 2026 Edinburgh TV Festival, when he was asked whether he had any interest in entering the Doctor Who tender process.

"It's interesting, isn't it?," Heath responded. "There's definitely people in my team who are really interested in it, but I imagine there'll be lots of companies interested. It's a discussion point, isn't it? I grew up on it and then my my kids were brought up on the new iteration. But it's a show that has its challenges, so you have to think very carefully.

"I think you have to go into it knowing you've got a plan. I think I know what I would do with it, but whether that means anyone would listen, I don't know."

Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar standing in the AC-12 offices.

Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar. BBC

When asked what it was that he would do with it, Heath said: "Well, I don't want to give that away really, before the tender process. But look, I don't know. We may go for it, we may not. It's not decided yet. The process hasn't been outlined yet, to see what we'd have to go through. You want to take a look at that really before you make any decision."

World Productions wouldn't be first production company to have expressed interest in entering the process, which will determine which company makes future seasons of the long-running sci-fi show.

BBC Studios, Dean Devlin's Electric Entertainment and Prime Video are amongst the company's to have been vocal about being interested in the process, while Anne Mensah, VP of Content at Netflix UK, has said that while she loves the show, "it belongs on the BBC".

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The tender process has not yet begun and there's not currently a timeline as to when it will happen.

When the BBC announced that the series would be put out to tender, the broadcaster said in a statement: "Doctor Who remains an important part of the BBC and this tender underpins the BBC’s continued commitment to Doctor Who ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come."

Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Dive into our Doctor Who story guide: reviews of every episode since 1963, plus cast & crew listings, production trivia, and exclusive material from the Radio Times archive.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of James Hibbs, smiling against a lime green background.

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

Headshot of Louise Griffin, RadioTimes.com's Sci-Fi and Fantasy editor. She has long brown hair, is smiling and her head is turned to her right

Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor

Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor for Radio Times, covering everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars and Marvel to House of the Dragon and Good Omens. She previously worked at Metro as a Senior Entertainment Reporter and has a degree in English Literature.

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