‘Line of Duty’ Creator Jed Mercurio Submits ‘Doctor Who’ Bid to BBC

“Line of Duty” creator Jed Mercurio has thrown his fedora in the ring to reboot the “Doctor Who” franchise. Mercurio, a prolific TV writer responsible for shows including Vicky McClure-starrer “Trigger Point” and “Bodyguard,” led by Richard Madden, has submitted his interest via Hat Trick Mercurio, the production company he co-founded with Jimmy Mulville. Last month the BBC launched a competitive tender inviting pitches from producers to reboot the series. The deadline for submitting interest was Friday, Oct. 2 with the BBC set to whittle down a shortlist of four to five prospective producers by Oct. 9, who will be asked to submit a “short editorial outline” for their vision for the new series. In its invitation to tender document setting out the process, the BBC said they are looking to award a contract to produce a “multi-episodic series” of the 63-year-old show including specials which they aim to broadcast in 2028/2029. The contract will include an option for a second season. Popular on Variety Described as a “new flagship series of ‘Doctor Who,’” the broadcaster wants the reboot to feel “contemporary, and creatively ambitious, whilst remaining true to the values and characteristics that have made Doctor Who a beloved series across generations.” However, producers, who will also be required to develop a new “distinctive” companion for the show, will effectively be working for hire and will not own any rights to the series, which is almost entirely owned by the BBC. (The rights to the iconic Dalek cyborgs are split between the BBC and creator Terry Nation due to his agent crossing out the merchandising clause in his contract with the BBC in 1963). The BBC’s drama boss Lindsay Salt will be among those selecting the winning bidder, alongside commissioning editor Nick Lambon, business head for scripted Geraldine Atlee and business affairs manager James Dundas. Mercurio has long been known as a sci-fi fan and even co-authored a comic book, “Sleeper,” with Prasanna Puwanarajah which is set in the 24th century and centers around a biologically enhanced space marshall called DS-5. He also has a long and storied history with the BBC, with the series finale of “Line of Duty” becoming the most-watched U.K. drama of the century, racking up over 15 million views for the broadcaster in 2021. According to the BBC’s tender document, it is aiming to select a producing partner by March 2027. The BBC declined to comment. Hat Trick Mercurio did not respond to Variety’s queries.