The classrooms of Coal Hill School will be filling up with fresh talent for BBC Three’s Doctor Who spin-off, Class.
This puts an end to the wide speculation as to who will be playing a group of British Sixth Formers tasked with stopping alien shenanigans. BBC Three announced today that Greg Austin, Fady Elsayed, Sophie Hopkins and Vivian Oparah will be headlining the 8-part series, whilst Coronation Street alum Katherine Kelly will assume the role of a powerful teacher at Coal Hill School.
‘Class’ is the newest spin-off since the 2007 and The Sarah Jane Adventures which starred third and fourth Doctor companion Elisabeth Sladen. A young adult series set in contemporary London where 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, Hunger Games), this is Coal Hill School and Doctor Who like you’ve never seen it before.
On his first television series, two-time Carnegie Medal winner Patrick Ness said: “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.
Steven Moffat, Class and Doctor Who Executive Producer, reveals how unique the show will be.“There’s nothing more exciting than meeting stars that nobody’s heard of yet. We had the read through of the first few episodes last week, and there was a whole row of them. Coal Hill School has been part of Doctor Who since the very first shoot in 1963, but this new show is anything but history. Class is dark and sexy and right now. I’ve always wondered if there could be a British Buffy – it’s taken the brilliant Patrick Ness to figure out how to make it happen.”
Damian Kavanagh, Controller, BBC Three, adds. “I can’t wait for Class to arrive on BBC Three. BBC Three will always back best young British talent.”
Class is executive produced by current Doctor Who show runner Steven Moffatt, Patrick Ness and Brian Minchin. Derek Ritchie is the shows producer and Ed Bazalgette (Poldark, Doctor Who) directs. Class is a BBC Cymru Wales production, co-produced with BBC America and BBC Worldwide. The 8-part series will film in and around Wales this month. (April 2016)
More Photos of the Class:
“Dark and sexy” has me concerned. This is supposed to be family friendly, not a show filled with sex scenes.
Hi Al,
I don’t think sexy always equates to sex scenes. Ness is famed for YA fiction and I have read his novels and interviews, they are always very classy and his themes are handled very tastefully. I don’t think there is much to worry about on this front.
I think sexuality will be explored, as the show aims to be representing growing up in Britain. You could argue that Doctor Who itself has been “dark and sexy” in the past, no?
I don’t think the sexy scenes will venture into Torchwood territory…
I think it is a little bold to be called “the British Buffy the vampire slayer”, however it still seems very interesting. I am happy to see that they are looking into more of the Dr.Who universe other than what they’ve already done.
Was skeptical about anything beating Torchwood as a DW spin-off but you have definitely peaked my interest in this! And Patrick Ness writing it too, there’s a lot of big names involved. Very excited!