PRH bags rights to Jodie Whittaker's Doctor Who

BBC Books and Penguin Random House Children’s UK have struck a two-series deal with BBC Worldwide to continue their line of Doctor Who publishing.

The exclusive deal for global rights is for all formats including non-fiction, fiction, activity, novelty, audio and the annual. It follows news that Jodie Whittaker is set to play the first female Doctor - a development PRH said marked a "new era" for the franchise.

Rebecca Smart, m.d. for Ebury Publishing and Francesca Dow, m.d. for Penguin Random Children’s UK acquired world publishing rights all languages, for Doctor Who series 11 from BBC Worldwide. Books will be a combination of titles that introduce the show and the Doctor to a new audience as well as more in-depth books for "die-hard" fans.

Penguin Random House UK has been the home of Doctor Who with BBC Books since the 1990s, while Penguin Random House Children’s UK has published Doctor Who titles for over a decade.

Whittaker said: “To be asked to play the ultimate character, to get to play pretend in the truest form: this is why I wanted to be an actor in the first place. To be able to play someone who is literally reinvented on screen, with all the freedoms that brings: what an unbelievable opportunity. And added to that, to be the first woman in that role.”

Jan Paterson, head of book and audio Publishing, BBC Worldwide, said its partnership with Penguin Random House was "one of the most important and successful partnerships for the Doctor Who brand" and he was really pleased to have "renewed terms with them for Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor".

"We have worked with them on Doctor Who publishing for many years, and are excited about the plans for the future,” he said.

Smart added: “We are really delighted to have completed a two series publishing deal with BBC Worldwide. At BBC Books we have a long history of publishing alongside Doctor Who and are so pleased to be able to continue, particularly as the series enters this exciting new phase.”