A major new Doctor Who story event is here, and this time, the threat is closer than ever. Following its initial reveal last year, BBC Studios unveiled new rollout details, story elements and artwork for Circuit Breaker.

Doctor Who – Circuit Breaker launches on 25 June 2026, kicking off an epic, multi-platform adventure unfolding this summer across audio, publishing, gaming and digital, bringing fans together for one connected, must-follow Whoniverse event.

The story event will see a single, escalating crisis play out across multiple formats, with each chapter unlocking new clues, new dangers… and a new side to the Time Lord.

Circuit Breaker brings together a range of longstanding Doctor Who partners including Titan Comics, Doctor Who Magazine, BBC Audiobooks, East Side Games, Puffin, Penguin Random House and Big Finish, each delivering a unique chapter of the story across the summer.

Fans can follow every twist via the Doctor Who website and official channels and The Whoniverse Show, with the first chapter of the epic story launching on the in-universe UNIT website on 25 June.

Big Finish's contributions comprise the epic, two-hour series finale, Circuit Breaker: Full Circuit (a full-cast audio drama) and two Short Trips stories released together as Short Circuits. Both are available to pre-order now, exclusively here. 

In the depths of UNIT’s most secure facility, the Black Archive, familiar objects have been pulled through time and space surrounded with a dangerous energy signature threatening to tear reality apart. With time running out, newly appointed Head of the Black Archive, Osgood (Ingrid Oliver) and her assistant Andrew (Omari Douglas) turn to the only person who can help… the Doctor (Jo Martin).

This is no ordinary crisis, and not the Time Lord they are familiar with. As the Doctor confronts her most infamous enemies such as the Daleks, Cybermen, Sontarans and a rogue Weeping Angel, she is forced to complete a mission with an insidious presence lurking in the shadows.

Secrets begin to surface, and trust between UNIT and the Doctor begins to erode as those who idolise her start to question if she really is the Time Lord they thought they knew…

How to Follow the story

• 25 June: Calling the Doctor - UNIT website written by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
• 8 July: Adversary of the Daleks – Titan Comics, written by Dulce M. Montoya and Dan Watters, with stunning art from Roberta Ingranata and Sami Kivelä
• 23 July: The Honourable Society – Doctor Who Magazine issue 632, written by Jason Quinn and illustrated by Anthony Williams
• 30 July: The Deadliest Weapon – BBC Audiobooks Audio Original written by Steve Lyons, narrated by Jo Martin with David Banks as the Cyber-Leader
• 4 August: Dawn of the Daleks –Titan Comics, written by Dulce M. Montoya and Dan Watters, with stunning art from Roberta Ingranata and Sami Kivelä
• 6 August: Castling – East Side Games written by Mario Mentasti
• 17 August: Don’t Blink! – UNIT website written by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
• 20 August: The Doctor and the Three Witches – Puffin book written by Janelle McCurdy
• 27 August: Moment Mori – East Side Games written by Mario Mentasti
• 31 August: The Black Archive Files – Circuit Breaker DVD release
• 3 September: The Kaleidoscope – Penguin Random House book written by Jo Martin ​
• 22 September: Full Circuit – Big Finish full-cast audio drama written by Robert Valentine
• 24 September: Short Circuits – Big Finish audiobooks 

Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, writer, said: "Circuit Breaker is truly unique in the Doctor Who universe. Just as the Fugitive Doctor rocked everyone's world when they first appeared on our screens, we wanted to bring something exciting and new to the fans, a story that takes the best parts of Doctor Who and melds them with a fresh and innovative boldness that makes for fantastic storytelling."

Jo Martin added: “Circuit Breaker now has an official start date! I’m delighted for fans to join the Fugitive Doctor on a brand-new adventure! One that may even showcase a more vulnerable side (yes, she does have one!). But for now, I invite you to take a first look at my Doctor’s brand new costume.”

Stephen Davies, SVP Global Licensing, BBC Studios said: “Circuit Breaker offers a bold new way to experience Doctor Who and the Whoniverse across multiple platforms. Working with our trusted, long-standing partners and creative talent, we’ve created something truly ambitious in both scale and storytelling. We’re excited to bring this coordinated global event to audiences around the world and deepen fan engagement.”

Circuit Breaker marks the third Doctor Who multi-platform event following the epic stories Time Lord Victorious and Doom’s Day.

The countdown to Circuit Breaker has begun, with more story reveals to come. For more information and the latest Circuit Breaker news, visit the Doctor Who website and official channels.

Big Finish listeners can now pre-order Doctor Who – Circuit Breaker: Full Circuit, written by Robert Valentine, as a download to own (from just £13.99) or download to own + collector's edition CD box set (from just £21.99). 

Doctor Who – Circuit Breaker: Short Circuits (including two stories; Battleships by Alex Hewitt, and Get Rich or Die Trying by Alex Hewitt, from a story by Natasha Siegel) is now available to pre-order as a download to own from just £11.99. 

Plus, a mutli-buy bundle of both releases is available from £23 (download to own) or £31 (download to own + collector's edition CD). 

All the above prices (including pre-order and multibuy bundle discounts) are fixed for a limited time only and guaranteed no later than 31 October 2026. 

Please note that Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first release schedule. The mail-out of collector’s edition CDs may be delayed due to factors beyond our control, but all purchases of this release unlock a digital copy that can be immediately downloaded or played on the Big Finish app from the release date.