BBC Three today announcesClass, a newDoctor Whospin-off from the acclaimed young adult authorPatrick Ness. Class is aYA seriesset in contemporary London. Incredible dangers are breaking through the walls of time and space, and with darkness coming, London is unprotected. With all the action, heart and adrenaline of the best YA fiction (Buffy, Hunger Games), this is Coal Hill School andDoctor Wholike you’ve never seen it before. The show is 8x45, meaning 8 episodes at 45 minutes apiece. Here’s whatDoctor Whoexecutive producerSteven Moffathad to say in a statement.
“No one has documented the dark and exhilarating world of the teenager likeno_peson|Patrick Ness, and now we’re bringing his brilliant storytelling intoDoctor Who. This is growing up in modern Britain - but with monsters!”
Patrick Nessis author of nine books, including six bestselling and critically acclaimed YA novels. He has written the screenplay for his own noveladaptation,A Monster Calls, which has been filmed for release in 2016 and starsLiam Neeson,Sigourney WeaverandFelicity Jones. A two time Carnegie Medal winner, he is US born and lives in London. Described by John Green as ‘an insanely beautiful writer’, his works have strong appeal with the young adult fiction audience. Here’s whatPatrick Nesshad to say in a statement about his first television series.
“I’m astounded and thrilled to be entering theDoctor Whouniverse, which is as vast as time and space itself. There’s so much room there for all kinds of amazing stories, and to work withSteven Moffatand 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 ofClass, to meet the all-new villains andaliens, to remember that the horrors of the darkest corners of existence are just about on par with having to pass your A-Levels.”
The Coal Hill School has a long history throughoutDoctor Who’s 50-year run. The school is currently whereJenna Coleman’s Clara Oswald teaches, but it isn’t known if the spinoff will feature the actress.Classis executive produced by Steven Moffatt, Patrick Ness and Brian Minchin. It was commissioned by Damian Kavanagh, Controller of BBC Three, and Polly Hill, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning. An 8x45 minute series is produced by BBC Cymru Wales in association with BBC Worldwide for BBC Three. The series will film in and around Wales from spring 2016 and be on air next year.
