The BBC has announced this year’s multiplatform Doctor Who event, Circuit Breaker, which will star Jon Martin’s “Fugitive” Doctor across releases from Titan Comics, Doctor Who Magazine, BBC Audiobooks, East Side Games, Puffin, BBC Books, and Big Finish.
Circuit Breaker follows similar events like Time Lord Victorious and Doom’s Day, neither of which exactly got critical acclaim, but we’re pleased to see that the BBC is running with this experiment, giving it a proper chance across numerous years (and probably keeping license holders happy). Circuit Breaker launches on 25th June 2026, kicking off an adventure unfolding this summer across audio, publishing, gaming, and digital, and concluding in September.
Jo Martin enthused:
“Circuit Breaker now has an official start date! I’m delighted for fans to join the Fugitive Doctor on a brand-new adventure! One that may even showcase a more vulnerable side (yes, she does have one!). But for now, I invite you to take a first look at my Doctor’s brand new costume.”
Here’s the synopsis for the whole event:
In the depths of UNIT’s most secure facility, the Black Archive, familiar objects have been pulled through time and space surrounded with a dangerous energy signature threatening to tear reality apart. With time running out, newly appointed Head of the Black Archive, Osgood (Ingrid Oliver) and her assistant Andrew (Omari Douglas) turn to the only person who can help… the Doctor (Jo Martin).
This is no ordinary crisis, and not the Time Lord they are familiar with. As the Doctor confronts her most infamous enemies such as the Daleks, Cybermen, Sontarans, and a rogue Weeping Angel, she is forced to complete a mission with an insidious presence lurking in the shadows.
Secrets begin to surface, and trust between UNIT and the Doctor begins to erode as those who idolise her start to question if she really is the Time Lord they thought they knew…
Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, writer, said:
“Circuit Breaker is truly unique in the Doctor Who universe. Just as the Fugitive Doctor rocked everyone’s world when they first appeared on our screens, we wanted to bring something exciting and new to the fans, a story that takes the best parts of Doctor Who and melds them with a fresh and innovative boldness that makes for fantastic storytelling.”
So how can you follow the story? The narrative runs across many different platforms…
- 25 June: Calling the Doctor
UNIT website, written by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
- 8 July: Adversary of the Daleks
Titan Comics, written by Dulce M. Montoya and Dan Watters, with stunning art from Roberta Ingranata and Sami Kivelä.
- 23 July: The Honourable Society
Doctor Who Magazine issue 632, written by Jason Quinn and illustrated by Anthony Williams.
- 30 July: The Deadliest Weapon
BBC Audiobooks Audio Original written by Steve Lyons, narrated by Jo Martin with David Banks as the Cyber-Leader
- 4 August: Dawn of the Daleks
Titan Comics, written by Dulce M. Montoya and Dan Watters, with stunning art from Roberta Ingranata and Sami Kivelä.
- 6 August: Castling
East Side Games written by Mario Mentasti
- 17 August: Don’t Blink!
UNIT website, written by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
- 20 August: The Doctor and the Three Witches
Puffin book written by Janelle McCurdy
- 27 August: Moment Mori
East Side Games written by Mario Mentasti
- 31 August: The Black Archive Files
Circuit Breaker Blu-ray release
- 3 September: The Kaleidoscope
Penguin Random House book written by Jo Martin, published by BBC Books
- 22 September: Full Circuit
Big Finish audio story written by Robert Valentine
- 24 September: Short Circuits
Two Big Finish audio short stories including: Battleships by Alex Hewitt and Get Rich or Die Trying by Alex Hewitt, from a story by Natasha Siegel
Stephen Davies, SVP Global Licensing, BBC Studios, said:
“Circuit Breaker offers a bold new way to experience Doctor Who and the Whoniverse across multiple platforms. Working with our trusted, long-standing partners and creative talent, we’ve created something truly ambitious in both scale and storytelling. We’re excited to bring this coordinated global event to audiences around the world and deepen fan engagement.”
The BBC promises that more story details for Circuit Breaker will creep out soon. Quite maddeningly, the event was actually first announced in July 2025, so we’ve had to wait a while for this much to be revealed.
