Doctor Who: Circuit Breaker – BBC Studios announces its timeline, plans and partners

BBC Studios today unveils full details of partner activity for Doctor Who: Circuit Breaker. The multi-platform event is set to launch on June 25th this year.

The project features the enigmatic Fugitive Doctor, played by Jo Martin. Jo Martin also contributes across the story as the writer of a Penguin Random House title and narrator of the BBC Audio Original adventure. The overarching story is written by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, with an epic narrative designed to unfold across multiple formats.

Circuit Breaker forms a key part of BBC Studios’ strategy to drive franchise growth through connected storytelling, global partnerships and sustained fan engagement. The initiative is set to roll out as a coordinated global storytelling event spanning audio, publishing, gaming and digital and boasts a who’s who of Who partners…

These include Titan Comics, Doctor Who Magazine, BBC Audiobooks, East Side Games, Puffin, Penguin Random House and Big Finish. Each of these partners is contributing original content as part of a coordinated programme across the summer.

A key component of the experience promises to be the in-universe UNIT website, which launches on June 25th. The site plays host the first chapter of Circuit Breaker and offers news content on The Whoniverse Show on YouTube and across the Doctor Who website and official digital channels.

Speaking about the project, Stephen Davies, SVP Global Licensing, BBC Studios said: “Circuit Breaker offers a bold new way to experience Doctor Who and the Whoniverse across multiple platforms. Working with our trusted, long-standing partners and creative talent, we’ve created something truly ambitious in both scale and storytelling. We’re excited to bring this coordinated global event to audiences around the world and deepen fan engagement.”

Writer Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson added: “Circuit Breaker is truly unique in the Doctor Who universe. Just as the Fugitive Doctor rocked everyone’s world when they first appeared on our screens, we wanted to bring something exciting and new to the fans… A story that takes the best parts of Doctor Who and melds them with a fresh and innovative boldness that makes for fantastic storytelling.”

Jo Martin added: “Circuit Breaker now has an official start date! I’m delighted for fans to join the Fugitive Doctor on a brand-new adventure… One that may even showcase a more vulnerable side – yes, she does have one! But for now, I invite you to take a first look at my Doctor’s brand new costume.”

Rollout Timeline
25 June: Calling the Doctor – UNIT website written by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
8 July: Adversary of the Daleks – Titan Comics, written by Dulce M. Montoya and Dan Watters, with stunning art from Roberta Ingranata and Sami Kivelä
23 July: The Honourable Society – Doctor Who Magazine issue 632, written by Jason Quinn and illustrated by Anthony Williams
30 July: The Deadliest Weapon – BBC Audiobooks Audio Original written by Steve Lyons, narrated by Jo Martin with David Banks as the Cyber-Leader
4 August: Dawn of the Daleks –Titan Comics, written by Dulce M. Montoya and Dan Watters, with stunning art from Roberta Ingranata and Sami Kivelä
6 August: Castling – East Side Games written by Mario Mentasti
17 August: Don’t Blink! – UNIT website written by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
20 August: The Doctor and the Three Witches – Puffin book written by Janelle McCurdy
27 August: Moment Mori – East Side Games written by Mario Mentasti
31 August: The Black Archive Files – Circuit Breaker DVD release
3 September: The Kaleidoscope – Penguin Random House book written by Jo Martin
22 September: Full Circuit – Big Finish audio story written by Robert Valentine
24 September: Short Circuits – Big Finish audio story written by Robert Valentine