The universe of “Doctor Who” is vast and dangerous. When you can visit all of time and space, you meet – and defeat – the most interesting monsters. But while the Doctor and his Companion are saving the Earth over and over again, what”s it like to be on the other side of this conflict?
The BBC and YA author Patrick Ness aimed to find out with their “Doctor Who” spin-off entitled “Class.”
Set in modern day London, “Class” is being billed as an action-series with heart like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” or “The Hunger Games.” The series is set to take place at Coal Hill School and the BBC promises this is “Doctor Who” like you”ve never seen it before.
Coal Hill School has a long history with the Doctor. It first appeared in the 1963 episode “An Unearthly Child” when the First Doctor set up his granddaughter to be educated there until their untimely discovery. Coal Hill has dealt with Dalek threats over the years, both during the tenure of the First and Seventh regenerations of the Doctor. And of course, it”s the school where Clara Oswald teaches English.
Could this spin-off be why Jenna Coleman is leaving “Doctor Who” later this year? Will she become the Giles – to continue the “Buffy” references – to the students Scooby gang?
Either way, Patrick Ness is delighted to join the lore:
On his first television series, writer Patrick Ness says: “I'm astounded and thrilled to be entering the Doctor Who universe, which is as vast as time and space itself. There's so much room there for all kinds of amazing stories, and to work with Steven Moffat and 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 of Class, to meet the all-new villains and aliens, to remember that the horrors of the darkest corners of existence are just about on par with having to pass your A-Levels.”
You can read the complete press release over at the BBC website.