Jemma Redgrave on a Doctor Who UNIT spin-off show

Screen OD staff

Ever since Russell T Davies returned as showrunner of Doctor Who, there has been a huge amount of rumour and speculation about what this could mean for the long-term future of the Doctor Who franchise. Could there be spin-offs in the works and is the Whoniverse about to get much bigger? This was exacerbated by the announcement of a deal between the BBC and Disney that will make Disney+ the streaming home of Doctor Who outside the UK from late 2023. It was thought this could mean there would be bigger budgets and perhaps an ambition to expand the show in a similar way to other properties they own like Star wars and Marvel.

However, despite many rumours about spin-offs, we’re still waiting to see what- if anything- the theme of a new show might be.

One strongly tipped topic was a spin-off starring Kate Stewart and following the fortunes of UNIT… however, despite many column inches dedicated to the idea, the actor who plays Kate Stewart, Jemma Redgrave, has suggested such a show isn’t happening anytime soon.

“I don’t know anything about a spin-off,” the star who is confirmed to be returning as a guest in series 14, told RadioTimes.

Adding: “But my book club did message saying, ‘I saw something about you having a series’ and I said, ‘I’ve heard nothing about it and I should talk to my agent’.”

Redgrave continued: “I don’t know about a spin-off but I have been back. I’ve done one episode in series 14 and it’s such a wonderful thing to be part of that family. It was absolutely tremendous and to be part of Russell T Davies’ vision is so exciting.”

Doctor Who returns in November for three 60th anniversary specials starring David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor. At Christmas, the TARDIS keys will be handed over full time to Ncuti Gatwa as he begins his first full adventure as the Fifteenth Doctor opposite his new companion Ruby Sunday, played by former Corrie star Milie Gibson.