Site Menu

October 15th, 2012 736 comments

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

New 3.75″ Figures and playsets in 2013 – Poll

New 3.75″ Scale Action Figures and playsets in 2013

In a recent interview for www.toysnplaythings.co.uk, Character along with several other companies have talked about their future plans for Doctor Who Products.

You can read all the interviews and stories via www.toysnplaythings.co.uk magazine or click on the image below.

One quote however appears to give us some major news on new figures and sets…

What exciting new products will you have coming out in future?

“Our product range will be diverse and innovative, in addition to the figures and playsets that have been released, Autumn 2012 will see the first Doctor Who App-related toy in which you connect your smartphone to a physical device enabling kids to digitally battle Daleks, Cybermen and Angels as they appear in their actual location on screen via augmented reality. We have huge expectations from an exciting new toy range for 2013 with new scale action figures, playsets and role play toys. Construction will continue to grow with the introduction of Series three micro-figures and all new playsets based on the upcoming episodes.”

The current 5 inch figure range

  • The Classic series figure range will stay the same scale, 5 inches.
  • No more new series figures will be made in the 5 inch range.
  • Rory was the final new series figure to be made for the 5 inch scale range, although there may be re-releases (Like the B&M Dalek and Cybermen sets).

The new 3.75 inch figure range

  • The new scale range will be 3.75 inches which is industry standard. This means the toys will be more compatible with other ranges.
  • There are no plans to release already existing figures in the new scale range. (Excluding Daleks and Weeping angels seen in series 7)
  • Photos of the range will not be released until next year.
  • There is a possibility stands if costs allow but priority will be given to the figures.
  • There will be a range of four playsets.

Above is what we know so far thanks to Alasdair Dewar.


Please leave only sensible and constructive comments on this article


Categorised under: News, Retail

Adverts/Affiliates

736 comments

  • stormaggedon97

    October 15th, 2012 - 1:48pm

    So is it now set in concrete that there will be no more 5 inch figures for the new series? I’m so confused! And if that’s true, I’m going to be pretty frustrated and sad … 🙁

    Reply
    • booboo

      October 15th, 2012 - 1:50pm

      Rory is the last new 5″ figure but there will be re-releases and some surprises

    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 1:56pm

      OK thanks booboo 🙂 Just a couple of quick questions: 1. Does this mean Underground Toys will continue with new series 5 inch figures or not? 2. And by re-releases do they mean releasing figures from older series (i.e. Series 1-6) that were never released? Thanks 🙂

    • booboo

      October 15th, 2012 - 2:50pm

      no, underground toys can do 1st-8th Doctors, nothing from the new series era

  • David

    October 15th, 2012 - 1:44pm

    Totally disagree with those who think that the Doctor Who figures need a reboot. Reboot of what? Of scale? Starting again a new range? Why not just keep the 5” and manage the business better, first of all making figures that people would just buy (Handbots, Minotaur, Sea Siren, Madame Kovarian, Gunslinger, Dinosaurs…). It’s the appeal of the figures theyhave to work on, not on the scale or changing the packaging!

    Reply
    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 1:46pm

      I absolutely 100% agree! I’m so disappointed! I really hope this doesn’t turn out to be true and that they do continue releasing figures 🙁

    • booboo

      October 15th, 2012 - 1:47pm

      its true, been confirmed by people from Character.

    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 1:49pm

      So no more 5 inch figures! That’s ridiculous!!! Surely they’ve been making plenty of money out of them!!!

    • booboo

      October 15th, 2012 - 1:52pm

      looks to me as if its the retailers that weren’t ordering, 3.75″ is standard across many ranges, like it or not this may be the only way forward if we are to get figures at all.

    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 1:59pm

      🙁 I’m just worried about the level of detail the figures will have as I used to collect Star Wars figures but changed to Doctor Who when I released the SW figures weren’t detailed well, or similar to the characters and that Doctor Who figures were a lot better and only a little more expensive 🙁 I might consider collecting these if Character manages to pull off some quality figures but otherwise they may have to count me out 🙁

    • who else

      October 16th, 2012 - 6:14am

      this is the worst idea ever i love the 5″ figures and i totaly not bye them if they change the scale

  • Dalek Strategist

    October 15th, 2012 - 1:19pm

    Well, I won’t mind too much, as long as they’re cheaper. But they’d better not completely get rid of the 5 inch!

    Reply
  • TickleOnTheTum

    October 15th, 2012 - 12:55pm

    No interest at all if they change the scale of the figures! I’m not buying them all again in a new scale even if that’s the only way to get them! Also won’t get them even if it’s the only way to get New Series figures! If that means I have to stop collecting figures then so be it!

    Reply
  • TickleOnTheTum

    October 15th, 2012 - 12:54pm

    No interest at all if they change the scale of the figures! I’m not buying them all again in a new scale even if that’s the only way to get them!

    If that means I have to stop collecting figures then so be it!

    Reply
  • THE ERGON

    October 15th, 2012 - 12:48pm

    As long as the classics stay the same,thats fine by me.

    Reply
  • Radburn

    October 15th, 2012 - 12:40pm

    Here we go again…

    Reply
  • Doctor 909

    October 15th, 2012 - 12:28pm

    I have just e- mailed character and asked them about the 5″ action figures I will post the reply when I get one.

    Reply
    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 1:47pm

      Cool thanks very much for your initiative 🙂

  • Judooning

    October 15th, 2012 - 10:31am

    This was posted by a trust worthy forum member. Hope is not lost guys!

    Right, no need to panic…This was posted on another forum by a trusting member:

    ok … regarding the new range of figures …. this is from a retailer friend of mine who has already had to order stock (mostly on blind faith as there’ve been no pictures of any kind yet) from CO – the new scale action figure range IS happening – it’s 3.75 (ie star wars) scale however there will also be 5 inch figures from season 7 released too as he’s also had to order those now …. and NO before the questions start i don’t know what actual figures are coming atm, CO are playing all that very close to their chest as per usual …..

    both ranges will be available early next year (although subject to change atm) …

    Reply
    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 10:42am

      AWESOME!!! Great news! I knew they wouldn’t stop the 5 inch range! I used to collect Star Wars figures but I prefer Doctor Who figures because they are far better quality. Who knows though? The 3.75 inch figures may not be too bad (but I have a bad feeling they may not be that detailed). Anyway I’ll stick to collecting 5 inch figures 🙂 What about you?

    • The Supreme Dalek

      October 15th, 2012 - 11:25am

      YEAH!! Although I did want some released for Christmas but oh well. The ones I want the most are The Gunslinger, Oswin and Shakri! 😀

    • Mels

      October 15th, 2012 - 11:34am

      Smaller figures seem to be the rage atm. I guess they are cheaper to make, but they are probably also a lot more versatile, in that it’s much easier to make playsets and other interactive items at that scale.

      Should be interesting to see what is released!

    • booboo

      October 15th, 2012 - 11:51am

      Someone from character has said they are changing scale but not the classics

    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 11:55am

      Do you mean changing scale and stopping the 5 inch new series range altogether, booboo ? Or do you mean changing scale and continuing the 5 inch range?

    • Judooning

      October 15th, 2012 - 12:01pm

      So classics staying as 5″ but new series being re-sized? Sounds a little silly.

    • KGF

      October 15th, 2012 - 1:29pm

      It’ll be to save money, to be honest…

    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 2:05pm

      Do you still trust the forum member? After all s/he may be telling the truth and this may all be a big misunderstanding… One can only hope… ;'(

    • booboo

      October 15th, 2012 - 2:49pm

      yes because it makes sense, there will still be 5″ figures from character just re-releases, like the B&M items i assume

  • stormaggedon97

    October 15th, 2012 - 9:12am

    I think everyone is panicking for no reason! I highly doubt that this is the end of 5 inch action figures. Character Options already have a huge fan base and I doubt they will just abandon us so close to the 50th Anniversary. Anyway the clipping can be read in two ways!!!! Firstly that there will be a completely different toy range OR secondly that there will be NEW additions to the current toy range (of 5 inch figures). Either way I highly doubt they will stop the 5 inch toy range and this article doesn’t explicitly say they will 🙂

    Reply
    • The Supreme Dalek

      October 15th, 2012 - 9:15am

      Thanks for that, I’m not panicking anymore. 😆

    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 9:29am

      No problem 🙂

    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 2:06pm

      Looks like I was wrong 🙁 Worst news I’ve heard all week… 🙁

  • jaketorwho

    October 15th, 2012 - 8:50am

    I have a strange feeling that the figure will be 3.75″ instead, which means less articulation, detail, but more sets I suppose. I for one won’t get the new range, and I guess if they are smaller then they can make the TARDIS playset much more like the actual set, with opening doors and lights etc. if they do release hat maybe I will make an exception 🙂

    Reply
  • dalek eternal

    October 15th, 2012 - 8:09am

    just wondering but who here is prepared to start a new scale collection if they do get rid of the 5 inch range? And even i they did change the range they could do the same scale change again in years to come it would be annoying for people who collect certain figure scales only

    Reply
    • Esterath

      October 15th, 2012 - 9:44am

      I am. I don’ collect them anymore- the quality is shocking.

    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 9:58am

      I disagree, Esterath. Admittedly there is the odd figure that isn’t that good but in comparison to many other figure ranges (e.g. Star Wars) the quality is AMAZING! I used to collect Star Wars figures but when I first saw Doctor Who figures I knew there was no competition. They are the most detailed, varied and just overall awesome range of figures ever!

  • dalek eternal

    October 15th, 2012 - 8:02am

    i really hope they dont change the figure size from the 5 inch scale ive been collecting the five inch ones since they came out i havent got every single one but ive got over 200 5 inch figures and i dont want them to change the scale as im not starting a different scale collection and if they change the scale once they culd do it again i dont mind if they bring out other scale sizes aslong as they keep the five inch scale other wise i dont think ill keep buying them

    Reply
    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 9:04am

      I agree! I don’t have nearly as many 5 inch figures as you but I still collect and I for one will not be buying a new scale range of figures. However, to be honest I really don’t think anyone should be that worried. Character Options already has HUGE fanbase for 5 inch figures so I don’t think they will be halting production any time soon 🙂

    • The Supreme Dalek

      October 15th, 2012 - 9:10am

      Plus I agree!

    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 9:13am

      Oh cool thanks Supreme Dalek 🙂

    • The Supreme Dalek

      October 15th, 2012 - 9:14am

      I watched your latest one with the Reaper. Keep up the good work! (I also liked your Series 7 Ideas, apart from Statue of Liberty). 🙂

    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 9:28am

      Thanks heaps 🙂 The Reaper is such an awesome figure don’t you think! Yeah i’m not entirely sure about the Statue of Liberty Angel myself (it would be impossible to have it to scale with the other 5 inch figures) but if it was released I’m sure Character Options would find a way 🙂

    • The Supreme Dalek

      October 15th, 2012 - 9:36am

      I have plenty of figures, but none of the deluxe ones! I don’t even own any Series 6! Most of my figures are either from Series 1 or 5. I actually realised I had many more, like Sontarans and more Doctors, but they all have missing feet lol! 😆

    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 9:53am

      Oh ok 🙂 Yeah the Reaper’s my only deluxe figure but I’m hoping to get the Racnoss sometime soon 🙂 There wasn’t really a lot of variety in the Series 6 figures so you didn’t really miss much 🙂 Do you have u tube?

    • The Supreme Dalek

      October 15th, 2012 - 11:23am

      No I’m not allowed it but obviously I can watch stuff. I do look out for your videos as they are great. Seen most of them except ones from last year.

      And yes, the Series 6 figures weren’t very good, but I ordered the Exclusive Rory and a Closed Mouth Silent and should be arriving soon! 😀

    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 11:58am

      Thanks very much 🙂 You are a valued fan 🙂 Maybe in one of my upcoming videos I’ll give you a shoutout so keep a look out 😉 I also think I’ll be ordering Rory in the near future 🙂

  • Anonymous

    October 15th, 2012 - 7:42am

    well thanks no more 5 figures staring small ones or big ones

    Reply
  • Mumble5557

    October 15th, 2012 - 6:53am

    I shall only by Character Building & 5″ action figures

    Reply
    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 9:04am

      Same 🙂

  • Mels

    October 15th, 2012 - 4:35am

    Awesome teaser! 😀 It’s not suprising that a new line is underway… I rather suspected there would be actually.

    Can’t wait to see all the releases for 2013… I think we will be spoilt for choice. 😉

    Reply
    • Liason Ice

      October 15th, 2012 - 6:42am

      Not getting my hopes up there hasn’t been much this year and last

    • Dalek Sec

      October 15th, 2012 - 7:06am

      Hopefully the 5 inch range will explode with figures, considering the lack of figures this year.

    • Anonymous

      October 15th, 2012 - 8:17am

      if they change the scale of figures it will annoy me, the 5″ range is epic. and i hope alot more classic figures would come out too. lets get new releases

    • booboo

      October 15th, 2012 - 8:29am

      I still think this is a new range of smaller figures which they will be bale to do much more with in terms of sets and playabiliity and that the 5″range will continue at least for a while but perhapsbe more selective

    • stormaggedon97

      October 15th, 2012 - 9:07am

      I really hoe, for 5 inch collectors’ sakes that you are wrong booboo and that Dalek Sec is right. I really would like the new 5 inch waves to have a lot of variety like the waves for Series 1-5 🙂 Here’s to hoping 😛 *fingers crossed*

    • CG

      October 15th, 2012 - 11:41am

      I agree with Dalek Sec, we had very few figures last year but I suppose that gave us the chance to catch up on the older figures we may have missed. I also agree that we should get HEAPS of new 5″ figures this year including classics!

    • Dalek Sec

      October 17th, 2012 - 7:33am

      Nevertheless if the 5 range stops, i won’t really collect as much as i do. Probably i’ll stop with a 3.75″ Doctor or a Dalek. However i will still collect the classic range figures, which the 3.75″ figs aren’t really compatible with 3.75 figures so it does pointless to make incompatible figures that you couldn’t really have together. Anyways thats all i have to say on this rambling comment.

  • David

    October 15th, 2012 - 2:35am

    The 5” range cannot stop, it’s epic and I hope it will continue till Doctor Who ends with the last incarnations of the Doctor.

    Reply
    • CG

      October 15th, 2012 - 4:13am

      I know, if they do release another size and stop the 5″ range I don’t think many people will appreciate it!

  • CG

    October 15th, 2012 - 2:29am

    Does this mean that 5inch figures will continue to be made classic and new and that new size figures will be made or making more of the 10inch range?

    Reply
  • andrew

    October 14th, 2012 - 10:51pm

    I think bigger figures would be cool, more detail and such, just making playsets will eb more expensive and difficult. Smaller figures, forget it, less detail, tiny accessoris or none at all. There are no advantages of this!! Hope we still get 5″, especially for next year, you guys know how important next year is!!

    Reply
    • andrew

      October 14th, 2012 - 10:52pm

      With the bigger figures, instead of mass waves, do them like the bigger figures, one or two at a time, then eventually release sets, classic mainly, think that could work, but id much prefer to keep the 5″ the main line. Plus didn’t we get a new scale with the character building? And look how that went, down the drain to me!

    • Anonymous

      October 14th, 2012 - 10:57pm

      I have no doubt that UT will continue the 5” range even if CO don’t so all is not lost if you aren’t intereested in the new scale and they stop the current one.

    • andrew

      October 14th, 2012 - 11:05pm

      True, I am relying on UG now to release great classic sets. If the line is going to stop with the new scale, at least, please give us some more/needed figures, such as companions, key monsters(wheel in space cyberman) and a TARDIS console for the 50th anniversary! Maybe some more doctor variants such as a three doctors Pertwee to go with the epic set that is coming after christmas!

    • Anonymous

      October 14th, 2012 - 11:08pm

      Plus they’ll be landed with having to work with the Eleventh Doctor range as well which is no doubt going to get a lot of demand if CO aren’t supplying.

    • andrew

      October 14th, 2012 - 11:11pm

      mhm, not bothered about new series, but if there’s demand for it, UG will deliver along with classic.

    • Anonymous

      October 14th, 2012 - 11:17pm

      If CO release nothing then they will have to really, otherwise you get into problems as the current Doctor/companion will not be brought out.

    • Dalek Sec

      October 17th, 2012 - 7:39am

      Smaller figures might not mean less detail. Even as i’m against the idea of killing off the new series 5 inch range, i would love to see the detail of these new figures. If they have the same articulation and detail of 5 inch figures, they might have a way of sucking up some of my cash after all.

  • THE ERGON

    October 14th, 2012 - 10:50pm

    I can fully understand character wanting to reboot the doctor who figure range as the 5 inch range take up a lot of shelf space at the big retailers and it isn,t always economically viable,but lets face it,if a smaller range did appear,most would still collect if it meant a bigger range. I,d still want underground to carry on the good work with the 5inch range.

    Reply
    • THE ERGON

      October 14th, 2012 - 10:51pm

      P.S-hope you understood what i was getting at.

    • Dalekcaan1963

      October 16th, 2012 - 1:06am

      If it started off like that, I would have done. The fact that it’s been going for so many years that many of us have hundreds (some over a thousand) figures, they’re not going to start afresh with a new collection of smaller figures that’ll look much worse than what they’re used to.

      These are no longer figures for collecting, they’re toys for kids to play with. While I’m fine with them making toys with more playability, they shouldn’t replace the collectors figures for it, especially when it sells so well.

  • Sonic screwdriver

    October 14th, 2012 - 10:18pm

    The Talking Dalek image on that page looks very familiar, i think that’s from this site

    Reply
  • The Supreme Dalek

    October 14th, 2012 - 9:45pm

    Please not the end of 5″ figures!! 🙁 🙁

    Reply
    • The Sea Devil

      October 14th, 2012 - 9:56pm

      Doctor think its the end, wouldn’t surprise me if underground toys carries on with the 5″ range, classic and new

    • The Supreme Dalek

      October 14th, 2012 - 9:58pm

      As long as UT continue making them, I’ll be fine. It mustn’t be the end! 🙁

    • booboo

      October 14th, 2012 - 9:59pm

      I have no doubt they will

    • The Supreme Dalek

      October 14th, 2012 - 10:03pm

      But UT are from the USA, doesn’t that mean they would only be available there?

    • booboo

      October 14th, 2012 - 10:05pm

      No not at all, they are responsible for most of the classic sets after all.

    • The Supreme Dalek

      October 14th, 2012 - 10:08pm

      Ok, so anyway, what do you think is going on booboo? Do you think they will continue the 5″ range but have a new one too? 😀

    • booboo

      October 14th, 2012 - 10:13pm

      I dont know but i think the line needs a reboot, smaller figures but in sets with accessories and a larger range of playsets might be the way to go.

      We may want figures but maybe the big retailers just weren’t biting anymore.

      may be UT will carry on the 5″ range but me more selective, i just dont know

    • rule one

      October 17th, 2012 - 6:50pm

      problem,i can’t get ut toys,i live in the uk,but co will fall by my power and i will win

  • RORY DOCTOR RIVER POND

    October 14th, 2012 - 9:34pm

    arent they making 5 inch figures? what???!! they cant stop the 5 inch, they are a great size and that will devestate collectors. get us some proper merchandise please character.

    Reply
  • Cyberdevil

    October 14th, 2012 - 9:15pm

    Why change the size? CO if you reading this comment DON’T DO IT. Continue the 5″

    Reply
    • booboo

      October 14th, 2012 - 9:17pm

      Its says new range, not replacement. we will have to wait and see before passing judgement

    • GlasgowWho

      October 14th, 2012 - 9:22pm

      Booboo you are wise indeed. But all of all their creations (Time Squad, Micro Universe, etc) the 5″ range is mostly in demand and has endured. Seems like a massively silly investment.

      But we shall see. Might end up excited by it all!

    • booboo

      October 14th, 2012 - 9:38pm

      smaller, cheeper, more scope for diagrams and playsets?

    • Anonymous

      October 14th, 2012 - 10:13pm

      Or maybe we’ve already seen the start of it with these 10” figures.

    • booboo

      October 14th, 2012 - 10:14pm

      The playsets will have to be big then!

    • Anonymous

      October 14th, 2012 - 10:25pm

      Well we don’t know if the playsets are in that scale though.

      It could be they are talking about the 10” figures and 5” playsets.

    • andrew

      October 14th, 2012 - 10:48pm

      This sounds ok, but depends on what scale the figures are going to be, smaller figures means less detail, the current range is almost perfect, id rather hae slightly bigger figures, but not insanely big, and the playsets being maybe collect and build parts such as TARDIS consoles for a bigger scale.

  • Andrew Hall

    October 14th, 2012 - 9:05pm

    Bet they reduce the size of the figures to Star Wars scale, i wont mind if the standard is good but thinks its going to reduce the quality totally if that is the future direction of the figure range.

    Reply
  • Andrew Hall

    October 14th, 2012 - 8:58pm

    So thats the end of the 5 inch range then. Definately sounds like it. Very cheesed off with CO, that explains why we have had no new figures from the end of series 6 onwards. No reward for all us fans who have been collecting the figures from the start. Lets just hope Underground Toys continue their excellent range.

    Reply
    • GlasgowWho

      October 14th, 2012 - 9:02pm

      Totally agree with this. So all collectors are gonna have a collection now obsolete, that we spent hundreds of pounds on, and they expect us to start a new one? Very unhappy with this.

  • GlasgowWho

    October 14th, 2012 - 8:57pm

    New scale? Does this mean the 5″ figures will become obsolete? Bit of a kick in the b*lls for collectors

    Reply
    • Metal web

      May 19th, 2013 - 4:49pm

      I know

  • BOOBOO JR

    October 14th, 2012 - 8:57pm

    I heard speculations about this a while back, I just hope it doesn’t mean the end for the 5″ Figure Range.

    Reply
    • Trenzalore 64

      October 14th, 2012 - 10:02pm

      There are no problems with the scale of the figures we have now. I just hope that they dont make them smaller.

  • Mr Evil Fez

    October 14th, 2012 - 8:38pm

    Next year for Doctor Who merchandise is gonna be awesome! Really happy with stuff from Series 7. 🙂

    Reply
    • booboo

      October 14th, 2012 - 8:53pm

      cant wait to find out about the eaglemoss partwork, chess set i recon

    • Mr Evil Fez

      October 14th, 2012 - 9:00pm

      We have already got a chess set, but would be good to see a new one.

  • 1

    October 14th, 2012 - 8:38pm

    Instead or inconjunction with the Character figures

    Reply
    • booboo

      October 14th, 2012 - 8:39pm

      we just dont know

    • Alex

      May 28th, 2013 - 10:11pm

      is there going to ben a 12th doctor figure

Leave a Reply to Brother of the Daleks Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get your own avatar.
By clicking submit you agree to our terms and conditions (below), we reserve the right to edit or delete inappropriate messages.

Comment rules

The Doctor Who site welcomes constuctive comments related to the news article in question. Links posted in comments may not be displayed. We reserve the right to delete or edit any post entirely at our discretion. If you leave unacceptable comments your IP address will be banned and reported

Click here to read full comments terms and conditions

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Twitter

Facebook