diff --git a/django/contrib/admindocs/utils.py b/django/contrib/admindocs/utils.py
index 334d9907ea..4d9403a6f7 100644
--- a/django/contrib/admindocs/utils.py
+++ b/django/contrib/admindocs/utils.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ try:
     import docutils.core
     import docutils.nodes
     import docutils.parsers.rst.roles
+    import docutils.writers
 except ImportError:
     docutils_is_available = False
 else:
@@ -78,11 +79,14 @@ def parse_rst(text, default_reference_context, thing_being_parsed=None):
 
 .. default-role::
 """
+    # In docutils < 0.22, the `writer` param must be an instance. Passing a
+    # string writer name like "html" is only supported in 0.22+.
+    writer_instance = docutils.writers.get_writer_class("html")()
     parts = docutils.core.publish_parts(
         source % text,
         source_path=thing_being_parsed,
         destination_path=None,
-        writer="html",
+        writer=writer_instance,
         settings_overrides=overrides,
     )
     return mark_safe(parts["fragment"])
diff --git a/docs/releases/5.2.5.txt b/docs/releases/5.2.5.txt
index bdb78d0c63..6791983aad 100644
--- a/docs/releases/5.2.5.txt
+++ b/docs/releases/5.2.5.txt
@@ -19,3 +19,5 @@ Bugfixes
 * Fixed a crash in Django 5.2 when validating a model that uses
   ``GeneratedField`` or constraints composed of ``Q`` and ``Case`` lookups
   (:ticket:`36518`).
+
+* Added compatibility for ``docutils`` 0.22 (:ticket:`36535`).