First there was Torchwood, then The Sarah Jane Adventures. Now, Doctor Who adds another element to its expansive television universe with newly announced spin-off series, Class.
The announcement was made this morning (Thursday night, UK), with details about the show hitting the internet and already provoking much discussion from the fans.
In his first television series, acclaimed YA author Patrick Ness will helm Class – an eight part series, each episode expecting a run time of 45 minutes. The show itself is positioned right inside the Doctor Who universe, focusing on the teenagers at the Coal Hill School and the threats and dangers that seem to rear their head when you’ve got all of time and space to deal with.
Ness has said of Class, “I’m astounded and thrilled to be entering the Doctor Who universe, which is as vast
as time and space itself. There’s so much room there for all kinds of amazing stories, and to work with Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin to find a place to tell one of my own has been an absolute joy. I can’t wait for people to meet the heroes of Class, to meet the all-new villains and aliens, to remember that the horrors of the darkest corners of existence are just about on par with having to pass your A-Levels.”
Modern series fans of Doctor Who will of course note the Coal Hill School from Peter Capaldi‘s recent seasons of the show, as it is where outgoing companion Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) works as an English teacher. Long-time fans of the show also note the connection Coal Hill has with classic Doctor Who serials, being the setting of the show’s very first episode, which introduced companions Ian and Barbara, not to mention Susan Foreman, and would go on to appear further down the line in the show’s history.
Classis to be executive produced by Ness, current DoctorWho showrunner Moffatt and Brian Minchin and will be filming in and around Wales to be put on air next year.
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