‘Doctor Who’ Season 11: Episode Count And Run Time Revealed

“Doctor Who” is making some changes, and it’s not just the Time Lord’s body that will look different next year. When the series returns, there will fewer episodes but each installment will also be longer.

Since relaunching in 2005, the average episode of “Doctor Who” has clocked in at about 45 minutes long. According to a press release from the BBC, they’ll be 50 minutes long in Season 11. However, the exception will be the premiere. The first episode of the new season will be a full hour long. Expect the episodes to be longer when BBC America adds commercial breaks.

Though the episodes are a bit longer, the season itself will be shorter. When Peter Capaldi took over the TARDIS in Season 8, the episode count went from 13 to 12. The BBC revealed that there will be only 10 episodes in Season 11 when Jodie Whittaker, the first female Doctor, takes on the role. The episode count does not take the annual Christmas special into account.

This confirms reports that run time and episode count would change. The Sun reported earlier this month that longer episodes were expected (though they claimed every episode would be 60 minutes) and the season would only have 10 installments. The changes were made by new showrunner Chris Chibnall, who is taking over for Steven Moffat.

“It is traditional for new showrunners to come in and shake things up to stamp their mark on the show and Chris is not doing things by halves,” an insider told the U.K. outlet. “Expect something fresh and brilliant, with more of the stories travelling backwards in time, to interesting historical eras, as well as forwards.”

While the BBC has not revealed a release date yet, they did note that “Doctor Who” Season 11 is expected to premiere in fall 2018.

Along with the news about the length came some casting information. Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill will play the Doctor’s new friends, Graham, Ryan and Yasmin, respectively. Sharon D. Clarke was also announced as a cast member in a “returning role,” though she hasn’t been on the show yet. It’s possible she’ll be introduced as a new character in the Christmas special, but it’s also likely that she is a new actress playing an old character.

“The new Doctor is going to need new friends,” Chibnall said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to welcome Mandip, Tosin and Bradley to the Doctor Who family. They’re three of Britain’s brightest talents and we can’t wait to see them dive into brand new adventures with Jodie’s Doctor. Alongside them, we’re delighted that Sharon D Clarke is also joining the show.”

“Doctor Who” Season 11 is a year away, but luckily, we have one more episode to look forward to before the long hiatus. The Christmas special is a highly anticipated installment. The holiday hour will be Peter Capaldi’s last adventure as the time traveler, and he is getting a blast from the past. In the Season 10 cliffhanger, he ran into the first version of himself (David Bradley is taking over for the late William Hartnell).

The “Doctor Who” Christmas special airs Dec. 25 on BBC America.