Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director of BBC Wales, has said that Doctor Who may be unable to start filming while social distancing guidelines are still in place.
Series 13, which was originally due to commence production in September 2020, may have to be postponed until the social distancing measures are eventually lifted and filming is considered to be safe for everyone involved.
“It’ll be down to social distancing,” Davies says. “A production like that, which at any point employs hundreds of people, freelance and staff, I don’t believe can be made to the current standard in a socially distanced environment. So it depends when you think social distancing is going to end.”
Davies went on to mention that Doctor Who may have to wait even longer if restrictions in Wales aren't lifted as soon as those in England, with production based primarily at BBC Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff Bay. The English regulations are set by the UK Government, whereas the Welsh Assembly Government set the guidelines for Wales.
“Obviously each production centre from those two countries is going to need to respond to the specific rules and regulations that each of the governments are introducing,” he added.
Series 13, which was originally due to commence production in September 2020, may have to be postponed until the social distancing measures are eventually lifted and filming is considered to be safe for everyone involved.
“It’ll be down to social distancing,” Davies says. “A production like that, which at any point employs hundreds of people, freelance and staff, I don’t believe can be made to the current standard in a socially distanced environment. So it depends when you think social distancing is going to end.”
Davies went on to mention that Doctor Who may have to wait even longer if restrictions in Wales aren't lifted as soon as those in England, with production based primarily at BBC Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff Bay. The English regulations are set by the UK Government, whereas the Welsh Assembly Government set the guidelines for Wales.
“Obviously each production centre from those two countries is going to need to respond to the specific rules and regulations that each of the governments are introducing,” he added.
"A production like that which employs hundreds of people… I don't believe can be made to the current standard in a socially distanced environment.
— RTS Cymru Wales (@RTSCymruWales) June 16, 2020
It may be that the rules in Wales are different to England…"
—BBC Wales' @rhodritd on a possible return for #DoctorWho#RTSevents pic.twitter.com/w8Mb8SZQ36
The BBC, however, haven't yet confirmed Rhodri Talfan Davies' comments, which would mean that production being delayed won't necessarily have to happen. We would expect to hear an update nearer September, when filming was originally planned to begin on the new series.
Social distancing guidelines are constantly under review and changes are happening all the time in the UK, therefore productions not due to begin filming until the Autumn may have to worry a lot less about the restrictions, or even not worry at all.
Doctor Who is still set to return in late 2020 or early 2021 with 'Revolution of the Daleks', a festive special which Jodie Whittaker which sees the return of the Daleks. The special was filmed and completed before social distancing measures were introduced back in March.
Social distancing guidelines are constantly under review and changes are happening all the time in the UK, therefore productions not due to begin filming until the Autumn may have to worry a lot less about the restrictions, or even not worry at all.
Doctor Who is still set to return in late 2020 or early 2021 with 'Revolution of the Daleks', a festive special which Jodie Whittaker which sees the return of the Daleks. The special was filmed and completed before social distancing measures were introduced back in March.
|