The thirteenth series of Doctor Who won't be filmed under current social distancing standards says a BBC executive.
The classic sci-fi series which stars Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor opposite companions played by Bradley Walsh, Mandip Gill, and Tosin Cole, is apparently too large in scale to return to production under current circumstances.
Speaking to RTS Cmyru Wales, Director of BBC Wales Rhodri Talfan Davies discussed how and when we should expect new episodes of the sci-fi series to be filmed.
Davies said: "It'll be down to social distancing.
"A production like that - which at any point employs hundreds of people, freelance and stuff - I don't believe can be made to the current standard in a socially distanced environment.
"So it depends when you think social distancing is going to end."
An added issue is that England and Wales have differed so far in their approach to the coronavirus pandemic, meaning filming in Wales may be an issue.
"It may well be that the rules on social distancing in Wales are different to those in England," added Davies, "and obviously each production centre from those two countries is going to need to respond to the specific rules and regulations that each of the governments are introducing."
The next Christmas holiday special has already been filmed, however, and will air this winter.
The episode is entitled Revolution of the Daleks and will see the Doctor's classic enemies return for a festive fight.
The series' current showrunner Chris Chibnall recently teased what fans can expect from the new episode, which continues on from the series 12 finale which revealed that there are more previous incarnations of the Doctor than she herself was aware.
He told Entertainment Weekly: "We can't leave the Doctor there! On that cliffhanger! Well, we did.
"But rest assured, the Doctor and her friends will be back for a one-off extended special around Christmas and New Year."
Chibnall added of the festive special: "There will be Daleks. There will be exterminations. Thrills, laughter, tears. You know, the usual. See you at the end of the year."
Sounds like fans will have a lot to look forward to and will have to savour it as it will likely be the last we see of The Doctor for a while!
Doctor Who series 1 to 12 is available now on BBC iPlayer.
What do you want from the next run of Doctor Who? Let us know in the comments below.