BBC Three has announced the commission of Class, a new Doctor Who spin-off from acclaimed YA author Patrick Ness.
Set in contemporary London at the show’s Coal Hill School, the eight 45-minute episodes will begin filming in and around Wales next spring.
The official synopsis reads: “Incredible dangers are breaking through the walls of time and space, and with darkness coming, London is unprotected. With all the action, heart and adrenalin of the best YA fiction (Buffy, Hunger Games), this is Coal Hill School and Doctor Who like you’ve never seen it before.”
Coal Hill School was introduced in the very first episode of Doctor Who in 1963 and has featured in recent years as the school where companion Clara Oswald is a teacher.
Steven Moffat teased: “No one has documented the dark and exhilarating world of the teenager like Patrick Ness, and now we’re bringing his brilliant story-telling into Doctor Who. This is growing up in modern Britain – but with monsters!”
Writer Patrick Ness commented: “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.”
Damian Kavanagh, Controller BBC Three added: “We’re excited to give Patrick Ness this opportunity to work with us at BBC Three and the Doctor Who family. Patrick understands young audiences and I’m delighted he will use his incredible skills as a storyteller to delight audiences on BBC Three. BBC Three will always innovate and offer opportunities for brilliant new talent.”
Executive produced by Steven Moffatt, Patrick Ness and Brian Minchin, Class will launch on BBC Three in 2016.
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