Who knows what the future of “Doctor Who” will be — except possibly time travelers — but the next few months could prove crucial.
After only one new episode in 2016, which was the marvelous Christmas “The Return of Doctor Mysterio” episode, the “10th series” since the SF shows were resume in 2005 could prove to be the last. At least it will be the last series for showrunner Steven Moffat and current Doctor Peter Capaldi as both have announced this will be their final series.
The new series will premiere on BBC America at 9 p.m. April 15, next Saturday.
The Doctor will be joined by new companion Bill Potts, played by Pearl Mackie. If you’ve seen the last two Christmas specials, you’ll probably be delighted to see the character Nardole in several episodes of the new season.
The first episode of the 10th series will be immediately followed at 10:10 p.m. by “Class,” the Doctor Who spinoff that has been available to British viewers since last spring. The story focuses on five of the students and staff at Coal Hill Academy, which has frequently been part of Doctor Who episodes and where Clara was a teacher. 
The series focuses on five students and staff who asked by the Doctor to deal with alien threats in the midst of dealing with personal issues.
Although “Class” has received positive reviews in the U.K., the eight episodes have performed poorly in the ratings there, possibly due to poor promotion by the BBC.
As for the upcoming season of Doctor Who, it is set to have 12 episodes running weekly through July 1 plus a Christmas special.
Titles for 10 of the first 12 episodes include “The Pilot,” “Smile,” “Thin Ice,” “Knock Knock,” “Oxygen,” “Extremis,” “The Pyramid at the End of the World,” “The Lie of the Land,” “The Empress of Mars,” and “The Eaters of Light.”
The big question, of course, is if and when Doctor Who will return after this series and, if so, who will be the next Doctor.
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