Doctor Who fans appear to be in for a treat, with plans for two new spin-offs to be added to the long-running series in the near future.
The next season of the BBC’s sci-fi favourite will premiere later this year, with David Tennant reprising his role as the 14th Doctor before Ncuti Gatwa, 30, takes over.
Russell T Davies is also back on board after resurrecting and leading the programme from 2005 to 2010.
It has since been rumoured that the series may be expanded as part of the national broadcasters’ arrangement with Disney.
Jemma Redgrave will reprise her role as Kate Stewart, the chief of scientific research at UNIT, a fictitious military research organisation, in one of the spin-offs.
Before her spin-off, she will return to the franchise in this year’s Christmas special, where the 15th Doctor Ncuti will also be revealed.
‘Doctor Who has always featured strong women in positions of authority,’ a source told The Mirror.
‘A monsters spin-off is also planned, it has emerged.’
Jemma, 56, was spotted filming scenes with Millie Gibson, who has been cast as companion Ruby Sunday, in January.
According to the newspaper, Russell is said to be behind the initiatives, which are part of an agreement with Disney that will see the programme aired globally through the streaming service.
Since 1968, UNIT, which investigates alien and extraterrestrial threats to Earth, has been incorporated into Doctor Who tales.
These two alleged spin-offs would not be Russell’s first foray into expanding the Doctor Who plot, since he already developed Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.
Although some fans were concerned that the new Disney arrangement might affect the show’s tone, Russell recently attempted to reassure them.
‘I know people are, naturally, worried about American producers having notes on things,’ he wrote in an issue of Doctor Who magazine in January.
‘Well, don’t be. They’re giving excellent notes.’
He added: ‘And I’m here to tell you, you haven’t watched a drama on British television in 20 years that hasn’t had American notes on it. Everything is a co-production… it’s really, completely normal.’
David will reprise his role as the Doctor for three specials for the 60th anniversary, with companion Catherine Tate as Donna Noble, before Ncuti Gatwa takes over.
Doctor Who returns to BBC One in November.