Doctor Who, the beloved institution of science-fiction television, has recently released a new teaser trailer and the episode titles for the show’s 60th-anniversary specials.
The three episodes are entitled ‘The Star Beast’, ‘Wild Blue Yonder’, and ‘The Giggle’. The specials are expected to air on BBC One in November 2023, and in the words of showrunner Russel T. Davies, “The titles are just the beginning of the Doctor’s biggest adventure yet. Autumn is coming, with three hours of danger, Donna and disaster about to be unleashed!”
The anniversary will be split into three episodes that star returning franchise-favourite David Tennant as the fourteenth incarnation of the eponymous Doctor, alongside Catherine Tate as returning companion, Donna. The cast is also confirmed to feature the new Fifteenth Doctor (played by Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa), the late Bernard Cribbins, Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother, It’s a Sin) and Yasmin Finney (Heartstopper).
The BBC released the new teaser during the 2023 Eurovision airing, providing Who-fans with a closer insight into the highly anticipated David Tennant and Catherine Tate will most likely be featured throughout the specials, as The Doctor and Donna are brought together once more in the face of a catastrophic threat.
Tennant will be gracing our screens once again after 15 years away from Doctor Who, under the guidance of additionally returning showrunner Russel T. Davies. Upon the announcement of Tennant and Tate’s return, Davies stated: “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.”
It is currently unclear how the specials will incorporate Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor. Although he is expected to coincide his tenure with Tennant’s return in at least one of the specials, the BBC has stated that, “Ncuti Gatwa’s first episode as the Fifteenth Doctor will then air over the festive period.”
Doctor Who is set to premiere on the BBC for UK and Ireland viewers, before streaming exclusively on Disney+ for the rest of the world.
Words by Jess Parker
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