David Tennant Returns, Everything to Know
The Doctor is in! Make that Doctors since Doctor Who season 14 seems to be jam-packed with new and familiar faces — including former star David Tennant.
The long-running BBC America show ended Jodie Whittaker‘s tenure as the time-traveling hero (a role she took over from Peter Capaldi in 2018) in October 2022. She and showrunner Chris Chibnall left Doctor Who together, making way for a new cast and a returning showrunner in season 14.
Sex Education actor Ncuti Gatwa has been announced as the next incarnation of the Doctor. The 29-year-old is only a few years older than Matt Smith was when he became the youngest actor to ever portray the Time Lord in 2011 at age 26.
Russell T. Davies, who led the 2005 relaunch of the sci-fi show and departed alongside Tennant in 2010, will return as showrunner. “Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds,” Davies said in a May 2022 statement when Gatwa was announced in the role. “It’s an honour to work with him, and a hoot, I can’t wait to get started.”
The writer was tight-lipped about any further details, though. “I can’t wait to talk to you about them but it’s just not fair,” he told RadioTimes after the announcement. “Jodie’s there. She owns it, she’s got a big finale in October and if we start nipping – we have to announce today because people would have found out about Ncuti whether we liked it or not, that’s the curse of Doctor Who.”
Though Davies would like fans to focus on Whittaker’s “beyond epic” finale, the BBC had to announce Tennant’s return as well to avoid others spoiling the news. The Good Omens star was flying the TARDIS (the Doctor’s time-traveling spaceship) from 2005 to 2010. He returned in 2013 for the 50th anniversary special, titled “The Day of the Doctor,” and he’ll return again to celebrate the iconic British show’s 60th birthday. This time, the Scottish actor will reunite with Catherine Tate, who played companion Donna Noble in the fourth season, for the three-episode arc.
“They’re back!” Davies teased in the May 2022 announcement. “And it looks impossible — first, we announce a new Doctor, and then an old Doctor, along with the wonderful Donna, what on earth is happening? Maybe this is a missing story. Or a parallel world. Or a dream, or a trick, or a flashback. The only thing I can confirm is that it’s going to be spectacular, as two of our greatest stars reunite for the battle of a lifetime.”
Scroll down to see everything we know so far about the 2023 episodes of Doctor Who:
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David Tennant Returns! Everything to Know About ‘Doctor Who’ Season 14 as Ncuti Gatwa Takes Over for Jodie Whittaker
The Doctor is in! Make that Doctors since Doctor Who season 14 seems to be jam-packed with new and familiar faces — including former star David Tennant.
The long-running BBC America show ended Jodie Whittaker‘s tenure as the time-traveling hero (a role she took over from Peter Capaldi in 2018) in October 2022. She and showrunner Chris Chibnall left Doctor Who together, making way for a new cast and a returning showrunner in season 14.
Sex Education actor Ncuti Gatwa has been announced as the next incarnation of the Doctor. The 29-year-old is only a few years older than Matt Smith was when he became the youngest actor to ever portray the Time Lord in 2011 at age 26.
Russell T. Davies, who led the 2005 relaunch of the sci-fi show and departed alongside Tennant in 2010, will return as showrunner. “Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds,” Davies said in a May 2022 statement when Gatwa was announced in the role. “It’s an honour to work with him, and a hoot, I can’t wait to get started.”
The writer was tight-lipped about any further details, though. “I can’t wait to talk to you about them but it’s just not fair,” he told RadioTimes after the announcement. “Jodie’s there. She owns it, she’s got a big finale in October and if we start nipping – we have to announce today because people would have found out about Ncuti whether we liked it or not, that’s the curse of Doctor Who.”
Though Davies would like fans to focus on Whittaker’s “beyond epic” finale, the BBC had to announce Tennant’s return as well to avoid others spoiling the news. The Good Omens star was flying the TARDIS (the Doctor’s time-traveling spaceship) from 2005 to 2010. He returned in 2013 for the 50th anniversary special, titled “The Day of the Doctor,” and he’ll return again to celebrate the iconic British show’s 60th birthday. This time, the Scottish actor will reunite with Catherine Tate, who played companion Donna Noble in the fourth season, for the three-episode arc.
“They’re back!” Davies teased in the May 2022 announcement. “And it looks impossible — first, we announce a new Doctor, and then an old Doctor, along with the wonderful Donna, what on earth is happening? Maybe this is a missing story. Or a parallel world. Or a dream, or a trick, or a flashback. The only thing I can confirm is that it’s going to be spectacular, as two of our greatest stars reunite for the battle of a lifetime.”
Scroll down to see everything we know so far about the 2023 episodes of Doctor Who:
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Credit: BBC
The 1st Trailer
The teaser trailer, which debuted after Whittaker’s last episode, shows Tennant in action, running down hallways with his signature trench coat flapping behind him and crawling through the new TARDIS with Tate’s Donna Noble. “I don’t know who I am anymore,” he says.
Harris’ mysterious villain looks disturbingly cheerful while Gatwa makes his first appearance asking, “Will someone tell me what the hell is going on here?!”
Credit: BBC
David Tennant’s Early Return
Is the 10th Doctor also the 14th Doctor? The October 23 episode ended with Whittaker’s Doctor regenerating. However, a bigger burst of energy than years past turned her back into Tennant’s Doctor. “I know those teeth,” the Time Lord says, clearly confused about how this happened.
The transformation also affected her clothes. While most regenerations take a minute to find their new style, this incarnation came with a new suit that seems similar to Ten’s style. The episode ended with credits that read “introducing David Tennant as The Doctor.”
“If you thought the appearance of David Tennant was a shock, we’ve got plenty more surprises on the way!” Davies said in an October press release. “The path to Ncuti’s Fifteenth Doctor is laden with mystery, horror, robots, puppets, danger and fun! And how is it connected to the return of the wonderful Donna Noble? How, what, why? We’re giving you a year to speculate, and then all hell lets loose!”
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New Showrunner — Kind Of
Davies hasn’t written for Doctor Who since 2010, but the writer (who created fan-favorite characters like Rose Tyler and Jack Harkness) returns in 2023. “Russell T. Davies is almost as iconic as the Doctor himself and being able to work with him is a dream come true,” Gatwa said in May 2022. “His writing is dynamic, exciting, incredibly intelligent and fizzing with danger. An actor’s metaphorical playground.”
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When Is the ‘Doctor Who’ Season 14 Release Date?
The 14th season of Doctor Who will premiere on BBC America in 2023. The 60th anniversary special is set for November and will include three episodes.
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Ncuti Gatwa Is the New Doctor
“There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling,” he said in a press release. “A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared. This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care. I will endeavour my utmost to do the same.”
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Yasmin Finney Joins ‘Doctor Who’ as Rose
Billie Piper played Rose Tyler from 2005 to 2010, but Yasmin Finney will play a new version of the companion in 2023.
“This show has a place in so many people’s hearts, so to be seen as a trans actress by the legend himself Russell, has not only made my year, it’s made my life,” the Heartstopper actress said in a statement in May 2022. “I cannot wait to begin this journey and for you all to see how Rose blossoms. Get Ready.”
Davies, meanwhile, refused to give away any secrets about the 14th season and 60th anniversary special. “Life on Doctor Who gets brighter and wilder, how can there be another Rose?” the executive producer asked in a statement. “You’ll find out in 2023, but it’s an absolute joy to welcome Yasmin to the Doctor Who set.”
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Who Is Neil Patrick Harris Playing?
The How I Met Your Mother alum was announced in June 2022 as a guest star in the 60th anniversary special, but his role is top secret.
In a statement at the time, Davies said “It’s my huge honour to open our studio doors for the mighty Neil Patrick Harris … but who, why, what is he playing? You’ll just have to wait. But I promise you, the stuff we’re shooting now is off the scale. Doctor beware!”
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David Tennant and Catherine Tate Return
The 10th Doctor and Donna Noble return in November 2023 for a very special anniversary episode.
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60th Anniversary Special
Not only will Doctor Who Season 14 introduce a new Doctor but it will also celebrate the series’ centenary anniversary. The 10th Doctor and Donna’s returns are expected to be just the first of many surprises.
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When Was Jodie Whittaker’s Final Episode of ‘Doctor Who’?
Her final special as the first female incarnation of the Doctor aired on BBC America October 23, 2022, and the send off — titled “Power of the Doctor” — had to tie up some loose ends with Yaz, played by Mandip Gill.
“We definitely get a sense that something is coming because there always is something coming when the Doctor is around!” Gil told the BBC after the Easter special. “Things have not been resolved by the end of the episode and I think that can be said for the relationship between Yaz and the Doctor but also the Doctor’s history and future.”
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Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor Has a New Companion
BBC and Disney+, the U.S. streaming home for the new season, announced in November 2022 that Millie Gibson will portray Gatwa’s sidekick.
“Far too excited to sail the universe and battle monsters with this one,” the Sex Education alum captioned an Instagram announcement at the time. “Believe me we got SO much in store for you.”
Credit: Courtesy of Doctor Who/Twitter
What Does Ncuti Gatwa Look Like as The Doctor?
In December 2022, Disney+ and BBC revealed the first photo of Gatwa and Gibson in their typical character costumes. The Barbie star wore a bright orange shirt with a dark orange plaid jacket and trousers. He topped off the look with some silver rings and Gallifreyan nail art. Gibson, meanwhile, wore a denim jacket with blue shorts and tights underneath.