Though unconfirmed by the BBC, we now know who will direct the six-episode Doctor Who Series 13 — and, somewhat rather surprisingly, it’s only actually two directors!

Jamie Magnus Stone is back once more, this time in charge of episodes 1, 2, and 4.

And the remaining parts — episodes 3, 5, and 6 — are helmed by Azhur Saleem, who was seen filming for the show in Liverpool earlier this year.

Stone previously worked on Spyfall, Praxeus, and the Series 12 finale, Ascension of the Cybermen/ The Timeless Children. Saleem is new to Doctor Who, but previously wrote and directed a series of shorts, leading to his appointment on the upcoming Prime series, Anansi Boys (based on the novel by Nightmare in Silver writer, Neil Gaiman).

That leaves three specials, to air throughout 2022 — probably a New Year’s Day special, for which Jamie Magnus Stone is most likely to direct, plus one seemingly in the spring, and another to celebrate the BBC’s centenary. That will be Jodie Whittaker’s last serial as the Thirteenth Doctor and Chris Chibnall’s final as showrunner.

That middle special, apparently a 60 minute episode and perhaps featuring Asian pirates based on filming dates, will reportedly be directed by Haolu Wang.

So who are the producers of Doctor Who Series 13?

Bristol-based Pete Levy is listed as producing Azhur Saleem’s episodes, which ties in with location reports in and around the city. Levy has previously worked on Doctor Who as a VFX (visual effects) producer; this time, he’s listed solely as “producer”.

Tracie Simpson will also be producer, presumably on the three episodes directed by Jamie Magnus Stone. It’s a welcome return for Simpson, who has been with the show since Series 1 (2005), serving in numerous roles including production manager, production executive, and (for much of Series 5) producer.

We don’t know who is directing or producing Whittaker’s last special, but rumour has it that it’s filming right now, so we might find out soon…