Exclusive: Doctor Who to stage ‘Eurovision in space’ in show’s most expensive ever episode
The intergalactic version of the song contest will co-incide with the real thing in May, and it’s going to be ‘mahoosive’ according to the writer
Doctor Who will have a “ridiculous” Eurovision-themed episode to air on the same night as the actual song contest from Basel on May 17. And its writer has claimed that it is the “most expensive” episode in the sci-fi show’s 62-year history.
In the singing special, which is the fifth of the new series, the Doctor and new companion Belinda Chandra, played by Varada Seethu, become embroiled in an intergalactic version of the contest. One source said: “Think Eurovision in space. There will be singing and there will be competition. Hey, there might even be a cameo for Graham Norton! Anything is possible.”
The episode to tie-in with the action from Switzerland has been written by sci-fi author Juno Dawson, who said this month: “It’s the most ridiculous episode they’ve ever done – and the most expensive.”
The Doctor is used to bright lights and noisy spaces so he should be just fine at a huge singing competition involving aliens (
James Pardon/Bad Wolf/BBC Studios/PA)
The show’s most expensive episode, themed around Eurovision, will sit alongside the real thing, which this year comes from the Swiss city of Basel
The writer, who also hosts a Doctor Who spin-off podcast, added: “I got to write the Doctor. I got to write Belinda. There’s no limit to the imagination on the show. I think it’s the best show ever made.” And Juno, 34, told fans: “Just you wait. This episode is mahoosive.”
The show has a long history of nods to Eurovision. Last year Ncuti Gatwa’s first full series as the Doctor launched on the night of the competition with two episodes, including one featuring The Beatles. The new series launches on April 12 with guest stars including Alan Cumming as evil cartoon character Mr Ring-a-ding plus roles for Slow Horses favourite Christopher Chung and former EastEnder Rose Ayling-Ellis.
But the series faces an uncertain future after this run ends on May 31 – with fans preparing for a gap of up to two years while BBC bosses wait on Disney’s official decision over whether to renew its deal with the franchise, thought to be worth £80million. One insider said gloomily: “The decision won’t be made officially until later this year – but everyone is preparing for the worst.”
Ncuti’s second series as the Doctor starts on April 12 and will feature new companion Belinda, with a smaller role for departed sidekick Ruby Sunday (
PA)
Disney could yet decide to reinvest all or part of the money. If not, the BBC must decide whether to rest the show, put it out to tender or bring it back in-house to BBC Studios. Whatever happens, the show’s global audience faces a lengthy wait before the next TV episodes are written, filmed and edited, with no series possible for 2026. Instead, the spin-off The War Between The Land and the Sea is expected to air next year.
But many fans remain bullish about the future for Doctor Who, with one saying: “It existed for 59 years without any Disney money and it can certainly continue without it in the future. There will always be Doctor Who.”
