Jodie Whittaker's third series as the Doctor will run to just eight episodes - after three were dropped because of Covid-19.
The 13 series has started its 10-month shoot and is expected to air late next year.
But several episodes have been shelved because the new safety regulations means that each instalment is taking longer than usual to film.
Showrunner Chris Chibnall told the Mirror he was “thrilled” to be able to make the show at all. “In this strangest of years, the Doctor Who production team have worked wonders to get the show back into production,” he explained.
“Given the complexity of making Doctor Who, and with new and rigorous Covid working protocols, it’s going to take us a little longer to film each episode, meaning we expect to end up with eight episodes, rather than the usual eleven.
“But rest assured, the ambition, humour, fun and scares you expect from Doctor Who will all still be firmly in place. For everyone around the world, this is a challenging period — but the Doctor never shirks from a challenge.”
Prior to Chibnall's stint as showrunner, his predecssors Steven Moffat and Russell T Davies regularly made 12 episodes a year plus a Christmas special.
It is not yet clear if the eighth episode of series 13 will be held back as a special.
Executive producer Matt Strevens said he was delighted to be back at work. “We are so thrilled to have unlocked the TARDIS, dusted down the sonic and be able to start filming again for the next series of Doctor Who. The amazing production team, crew and cast have worked wonders to get us shooting again in these challenging times. It’s going to be as fun filled and action packed as ever - with plenty of surprises.”
This year the festive special Revolution of the Daleks, filmed back in 2019, is expected to air on New Year's Day 2021.
In it, the Doctor is seen locked away in a high-security alien prison. Back on Earth, her pals Yaz, Ryan and Graham have to work out how to fight the Daleks without the help of the Doctor.
“This explores, in a way for one of the first times, what happens when the Doctor is away from the gang,” Whittaker explained.
“How do we, as a three, save mankind?” Bradley Walsh said. “Talk about being thrown in at the deep end.”
The festive special will be the last outing for Walsh as Graham O'Brien and for Tosin Cole as his step-grandson Ryan Sinclair, as both actors are departing.
Series 13 is expected to feature Yaz, played by Mandip Gill, as the Doctor's sole sidekick.
