One of the best things that came with the revival of ‘Doctor Who‘ in 2005 was the creation of its spin off shows ‘The Sarah Jane Adventures’ and ‘Torchwood.’ (While I do realize there was a K-9 spin off, it was not an official BBC production.) With ‘Torchwood’’s on air expectancy currently in limbo (you can at least experience more “episodes” via their Big Finish audio adventures) and the ending of ‘The Sarah Jane Adventures’ since the passing of Elisabeth Sladen, it has been awhile since fans have visited what happens in the world when the Doctor is not around. Luckily we can soon found out!

Announced today is a new series called ‘Class’ which will center on what happens when a teenager becomes aware that there really are aliens and that traveling through walls of time and space are no longer a theory you study in physics class but a reality! Here’s the synopsis given from the press release:

‘Class’ is a YA series set in contemporary London. Incredible dangers are breaking through the walls of time and space, and with darkness coming, London is unprotected. With all the action, heart and adrenalin of the best YA fiction (‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer,’ ‘The Hunger Games’), this is Coal Hill School and ‘Doctor Who’ like you’ve never seen them before.

The first season of ‘Class’ will consist of eight 45 minute episodes and will be produced by Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin (who both are EPs on ‘Doctor Who’) and YA author Patrick Ness.

According to Moffat:

“No one has documented the dark and exhilarating world of the teenager like Patrick Ness, and now we’re bringing his brilliant story-telling into Doctor Who. This is growing up in modern Britain – but with monsters!… Patrick understands young audiences and I’m delighted he will use his incredible skills as a storyteller to delight audiences on BBC Three.”

This will be Ness’ first venture into television and he is both excited and thrilled to be part of the project:

“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.”

The series will film in and around Wales beginning in the Spring with an unspecified BBC Three air date in 2016. At the moment, no word as to whether or not BBC America will be airing ‘Class’ but hopefully with the success that ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Torchwood’ has brought to the network, Yanks across the pond will be able to watch it too!

We’re excited to see another ‘Doctor Who’ spin off and hopefully a return of some of our favorite characters in the Whoniverse!

More details as they come…