No, actually, we’re not kidding – the synopsis for the upcoming Doctor Who Annual 2019 is out already, and, while not exactly filled with spoilers, does at least confirm a suspicion or two…
We’ve previously presumed that there will be a new TARDIS interior – firstly, because that’s what happened last time there was a new Doctor and new showrunner, and secondly because the last one got a tad blown to bits – and while the synopsis confirms this, it also states that there will be a new sonic screwdriver too!
Here’s that blurb:
The Doctor Who Annual 2019 will be an incredible insight into the Thirteenth Doctor and her first journey in time and space. There will be an all-new TARDIS to explore, alien tech to examine (with a brand-new sonic screwdriver) and monsters to defeat.
You’ll learn all about the Doctor’s friends, and have their help along the way, as you solve puzzles, examine fact files on the Doctor’s enemies, and read exciting comic-strips and stories. There will be exclusive secrets from the last series, and a look ahead at what’s to come for the Thirteenth Doctor.
A must-read for all Doctor Who fans, old and new.
Aside from those confirmations, it’s pretty standard copy. However, it sounds like it’ll focus quite a bit on Series 10, starring Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor and Pearl Mackie’s Bill Potts, alongside “a look ahead at what’s to come for the Thirteenth Doctor”. Now, that might sound strange, but… The annual is due to be published on 2nd October 2018 (although other sources claim it’ll be 4th October), and, if Series 11 isn’t transmitted until that same month (as is rumoured), then this book might offer us a first look at the adventures of Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor!
Interestingly, this looks to have been confirmed by a subsequent blurb, released by Amazon, which says:
A Doctor Who Annual with a difference. This year, you’ll be taken on an incredible journey – the Thirteenth Doctor is missing, and it’s up to you to find her! Take on fiendish puzzles, quizzes and games as you meet some old Doctor Who faces along the way.
Doctor Who Series 11 will, of course, be the first with a female Doctor, and with Chris Chibnall at the helm of the show.
Can we at least mourn the passing of the Twelfth Doctor’s sonic screwdriver, which only debuted right at the end of 2015’s Hell Bent and wasn’t seen much at all throughout the subsequent episodes?
The 64-page Doctor Who Annual 2019 is available to pre-order now, priced £7.99. Just in case you want to get in there early.
