Blue Zoo Animation Studio wins pitch to produce Doctor Who CBeebies animation

By John Freeman on December 19, 2025 • ( 0 )

Following a competitive pitch process, the award-winning British animation studio Blue Zoo Animation Studio has secured the contract to produce a brand-new Doctor Who pre-school animation for CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.

BBC Children’s and Education invited UK producers to pitch for the opportunity in June 2025, for fair and open selection, as we previously reported. From a strong field of producer pitches, Blue Zoo’s proposal scored highest against the published criteria.

Blue Zoo is well known for creating multi-Emmy and BAFTA winning content. Founded in 2000 by university classmates, they have grown to become one of the UK’s leading character animation production studios, aiming to produce joyfully compelling stories packed and full of character by creating beautiful animation.

This exciting new animated series, inspired by the beloved Doctor Who universe, is commissioned for 52 x11’ episodes over two series and will begin production in 2026. It marks the first time the ‘Whoniverse’ has been expanded into an animated series for pre-school audiences.

Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s & Education, says: “We can’t wait to welcome the Doctor to CBeebies, introducing this beloved family favourite to our youngest audience for the very first time. This new series further strengthens our commitment to the British animation industry by championing homegrown productions with the potential to travel the world and, perhaps even through time and space.”

“The bidding process for this project was exceptionally competitive, and we would like to commend all the shortlisted producers for the outstanding quality and depth of their proposals.”

Adam Shaw, Co-founder of Blue Zoo Animation Studio, says: “This year, we celebrated 25 years of Blue Zoo so it’s an extra special honour to be given the chance to bring such a much-loved classic and a true British icon to a whole new generation of young viewers. Doctor Who means so much to so many people, and we don’t take that lightly at all. Reimagining something this legendary for a preschool audience is a brilliant creative challenge, and one we’re incredibly excited to dive into.”

BBC has previously collaborated with Blue Zoo on popular CBeebies programmes such as Numberblocks, Alphablocks, and Mojo Swoptops. As a B Corp-certified studio, they are committed to not only producing world-class animation but doing so with a team-first, ethical approach that aligns with the values of public service broadcasting.

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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.