Doctor Who : Series 12 - Everything We Know So Far [UPDATED February 2020]

What do we know about Series 12?

Despite the fact that at the time of writing, Series 12 has already begun, we still don't know all that much about the episodes to come. We know more than we did but still not as much as we might ordinarily do when at this stage of the game, though given what has already been established, that might just be a good thing. So let's dive straight in with everything we know so far about Doctor Who Series 12.

Episodes 1&2 - Spyfall Part One & Spyfall Part Two

Cast : Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill, Tosin Cole, Lenny Henry, Sacha Dhawan, Sylvie Briggs, Aurora Marion

Writer : Chris Chibnall

Directors : Jamie Magnus Stone & Lee Haven-Jones

Series 12 opened with a two part adventure broadcast on January 1st 2020 and January 5th 2020, marking the first two part story for the Jodie Whittaker era thus far and the first time since the show was revived in 2005 that two episodes have aired in the same week. The two part story saw Team TARDIS thrust into the world of espionage to take on Daniel Barton (played by Lenny Henry) and the mysterious Kasaavin. Part one ended with the revelation that supporting character O (played by Sacha Dhawan) was in fact a newly regenerated incarnation of The Master. The Doctor was separated from her friends who were in turn, left on a plane crashing towards Earth. Part two picked up the story and revealed that The Master had his own TARDIS (disguised as an outback hut) though neglected to reveal whether he is an incarnation after The Master killed by Missy or after Missy herself. The episode also opened up a new series arc, establishing that The Master had been back to Gallifrey recently and had completely destroyed the citadel and ravaged the surrounding settlements. He revealed that he had decimated their shared homeworld after discovering the truth of their species and that it connects to 'The Timeless Child' which will be the arc for this season.

Episode 3 - Orphan 55

Cast : Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill, Tosin Cole, James Buckley, Will Austin, Laura Fraser

Writer : Ed Hime

Director : Lee Haven-Jones

We don't know much about this episode but the synopsis simply reads "The Doctor and her friends discover that the luxury resort where they are holidaying is hiding a number of deadly secrets. What are the ferocious monsters attacking Tranquillity Spa"According to Jodie Whittaker, this episode features "a really scary monster"

Episode 4 - Nikola Tesla's Night Of Terror

Cast : Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill, Tosin Cole, Goran Višnjić, Robert Glenister, Anjli Mohindra, Haley McGee

Writer : Nina Metivier

Director : Nida Manzoor

This episode will see Goran Višnjić take on the role of famous inventor Nikola Tesla and Robert Glenister playing his rival Thomas Edison. It will also feature the reappearance of Anjli Mohindra in the whoniverse who will this time be playing the Queen Skithra, a race of scorpion like creatures. Fun fact : Anjli Mohindra and Sacha Dhawan are a real life couple! 

The synopsis reads : "The time: the earliest years of the 20th century. The place: New York City. Inventor Nikola Tesla is at war with his rival Thomas Edison. However, there’s an even greater threat in their midst…"

Episode 5 - Fugitive Of The Judoon

Cast : Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill, Tosin Cole, Jo Martin, John Barrowman, Neil Stuke, Paul Casey

Writer : Vinay Patel & Chris Chibnall

Director : Nida Manzoor

This episode will see the return of the outer space rhino police species, The Judoon as they search the town of Gloucester for a fugitive on the run from justice. Nothing else is known about this episode yet. 

The synopsis reads : "Stomping their way into present-day Gloucester, the Judoon are on the hunt for someone on the run. Who is this fugitive? And why are these alien mercenaries after them?"

Episode 6 - Praxeus

Cast : Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill, Tosin Cole, Matthew McNulty, Molly Harris, Joanna Borja

Writer : Pete McTighe & Chris Chibnall

Director : Jamie Magnus Stone

We really know nothing about this episode other than it features bat like creatures and plague doctors with laser rifles.

The synopsis reads : "The Doctor and her friends split up to investigate multiple mysteries across planet Earth. What they find will threaten all of humanity…"

Episode 7 - Can You Hear Me?

Cast : Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill, Tosin Cole, Ian Gelder

Writer : Charlene James

Director : Emma Sullivan

Very little is still known about this episode but it will be a dark and scary episode that is speculated to feature the black and white guardians for the first time in 'Nu-Who'

Episode 8 - The Haunting Of Villa Diodati

Cast : Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill, Tosin Cole, Nicholas Briggs, Jacob Collins-Levy, John Barrowman

Writer : Maxine Alderton & Chris Chibnall

Director : Emma Sullivan

This episode will see the return of The Cybermen for the first time in the Jodie Whittaker era. John Barrowman may well make a re-entrance in this episode as Jack had knowledge of this particular event in The Doctor's future. 

Episodes 9&10 - Ascension of The Cybermen & The Timeless Children

Cast : Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill, Tosin Cole, Sacha Dhawan, Jo Martin, John Barrowman

Writer : Chris Chibnall

Director : Jamie Magnus Stone

These episodes will almost definitely see the return of The Master and a story revolving around 'The Timeless Child' and fallout from Gallifrey's destruction. It's possible we could also see Lenny Henry returning as Daniel Barton but this is only speculation. Nothing else is known about these two episodes apart from them being one story and a two part series finale.Jo Martin and John Barrowman will also reappear in these episodes as 'The Doctor' and Jack Harkness, respectively.

The next issue of Doctor Who Magazine will likely reveal the episode titles for the remaining three episodes ('The Lone Cyberman' is not confirmed) of Series 12 as well as the first synopses and promotional pictures from each. You can expect a full update on the same day that happens.

'Praxeus' airs Sunday, February 2nd at 7:10pm on BBC One.