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.