After weeks of mystery and a lot of discussion, the new time slot for Jodie Whittaker’s first Doctor Who episode has been revealed.


Episode one of Doctor Who series 11 will air on BBC1 from 6.45pm to 7.45pm on Sunday 7th October 2018, the BBC has confirmed. American fans can watch the episode on BBC America from 1.45pm EST.

The new slot places Doctor Who directly after BBC stalwart Countryfile (airing 5.45-6.45pm) and before the weekly results show for Strictly Come Dancing, which moves to the later time of 7.45pm.

Interestingly, the new schedule puts Doctor Who close to the 7pm time it often used to air on Saturday nights when the series first returned in 2005.

Given that this first episode is 15 minutes longer than most of the new series – The Woman Who Fell to Earth runs at 60 minutes, while other episodes will be 50 minutes long – it could be that a return to 7pm is planned from episode two onwards.

After all, the placement of the Strictly Come Dancing results show at close to 7.50pm suggests that in future weeks the BBC might be anticipating a 50-minute show to precede it…

The adventure begins Sunday 7th October.

UK: 18:45 on @BBCOne

US: 13:45 (EST) on @BBCAmerica.

Check local listings in other countries.#DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/GPUaxEn3o2 — Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) September 26, 2018

Still, this is all speculation, so for now fans will just have to make do with finally knowing what time to plonk themselves in front of the TV this Sunday 7th October, to properly meet the Thirteenth Doctor for her first adventure.

To quote the latest series trailer, it’s about time.

Doctor Who series 11 begins to BBC1 on Sunday 7th October at 6.45pm


This article was originally published on 26 September 2018