All You Need to Know about the Upcoming 60th Anniversary Specials of 'Doctor Who'

The doctors are here! In fact, there are multiple doctors in the lineup for the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials. This exciting event will feature a mix of familiar faces and fresh additions, including the return of former star David Tennant.

BBC America's long-standing show came to a close in October 2022, marking the end of Jodie Whittaker's time as the beloved time-traveling hero. Whittaker, who took over from Peter Capaldi in 2018, bid farewell alongside showrunner Chris Chibnall. With their departure, season 14 will introduce a new cast and welcome back a familiar face as the show's new showrunner.

Find out more about the trio of Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials below:

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David Tennant Returns! Everything to Know About the ‘Doctor Who’ 60th Anniversary Specials

The Doctor is in! Make that Doctors since the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials seem to be jam-packed with new and familiar faces — including former star David Tennant.

The time-traveling hero's tenure on the long-running BBC America show came to an end in October 2022, marking the departure of Jodie Whittaker and showrunner Chris Chibnall. This paves the way for a new cast and a returning showrunner in season 14.

Ncuti Gatwa, known for his role in Sex Education, has been announced as the next Doctor. However, before Gatwa takes on the role, David Tennant returns as the Doctor for three anniversary specials. These specials will also feature the return of Catherine Tate as Donna Noble, among other returning stars.

Scroll down to learn more about the three Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials:

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When Will the 'Doctor Who' 60th Anniversary Specials Air?

The first of the three 60th anniversary specials will be available for streaming on Disney+ starting November 25. This marks the first time the series will be broadcasted in the U.S. The second special will premiere on December 2, followed by the release of the third special on December 9.

Doctor Who usually presents a holiday special, which is usually aired on either Christmas Day or New Year's Day. This will also be the first time the series will be broadcasted on Disney+ in the U.S.

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What Did the 1st Trailer Reveal?

In the aftermath of Whittaker's final episode in 2022, a captivating teaser trailer unfolds, revealing Tennant's dynamic presence as he races through hallways, with his iconic trench coat billowing in the wind. Together with Tate's Donna Noble, he explores the new TARDIS, showcasing their thrilling adventures. "I am uncertain of my identity anymore," he confesses, adding an air of mystery and intrigue.

Harris' villain looks disturbingly cheerful while Gatwa makes his first appearance asking, "Will someone tell me what the hell is going on here?!"

Credit: BBC

How Did David Tennant Return?

Is the 10th Doctor also the 14th Doctor? The episode that aired on October 23, 2022, concluded with Whittaker's Doctor undergoing regeneration, resulting in an unexpected transformation into Tennant's Doctor. The Time Lord expresses confusion, recognizing Tennant's distinctive teeth. Furthermore, this regeneration brought about a change in attire, with the new incarnation donning a suit reminiscent of Ten's style. The episode concluded with credits introducing David Tennant as The Doctor.

Whovians were first introduced to Tennant almost twenty years ago when he took on the role of flying the TARDIS, the Doctor's time-traveling spaceship, from 2005 to 2010. Despite his departure, he made a memorable return in 2013 for the 50th anniversary special, called "The Day of the Doctor." Now, Tennant is set to come back once again to honor the beloved British show's 60th birthday. This time, he will be joined by Tate, who portrayed the Doctor's companion Donna Noble in the fourth season, for a thrilling three-episode storyline.

In an October press release, Davies, the show's creator, teased fans with the promise of more surprises to come. "If you thought the appearance of David Tennant was a shock, we've got plenty more in store for you," he exclaimed. "The journey leading up to Ncuti's Fifteenth Doctor is filled with mystery, horror, robots, puppets, danger, and fun! And why is it connected to the return of the beloved Donna Noble? How, what, why? We're giving you a whole year to speculate, and then all chaos will break loose!"

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Who Is the Not-So-New Showrunner?

Having not written for Doctor Who since 2010, Davies, the writer renowned for creating beloved characters such as Rose Tyler and Jack Harkness, is set to make a comeback in 2023. Gatwa expressed his excitement to collaborate with the iconic Russell T. Davies, stating, "Working with him is a dream come true. His writing is dynamic, thrilling, incredibly intelligent, and filled with peril. It's like a metaphorical playground for actors."

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Wait, Yasmin Finney Is Playing Rose Tyler?!

Billie Piper played Rose Tyler from 2005 to 2010, but Yasmin Finney will play a new version of the companion in 2023.

In a statement made in May 2022, the Heartstopper actress expressed her joy at being acknowledged as a trans actress by the renowned Russell himself. She emphasized the significance of this recognition, saying that it has not only been the highlight of her year but also a life-changing moment. She eagerly awaits embarking on this new journey and cannot wait for everyone to witness the growth of her character, Rose.

The new addition to the series, Rose, is the offspring of Donna Noble and Shaun Temple (portrayed by Karl Collins). In August 2023, the official Doctor Who social media accounts hinted at an intriguing storyline surrounding Rose's encounter with one of her mother's longtime acquaintances. While the specifics remain a mystery, it is evident that Rose, like her mother, encounters something extraterrestrial, forever altering her apparently ordinary family.

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Who Is Neil Patrick Harris Playing?

In June 2022, it was announced that the actor from How I Met Your Mother would be appearing as a guest star in the 60th anniversary special. Later on, it was disclosed that Harris has taken on the role of the nefarious Toymaker, a character that hasn't been seen since 1966.

"There's something so bad the TARDIS ran away?" Donna asks in the September 2023 teaser. 

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Is Donna Noble Going to Remember Her Past With the Doctor?

Tate's character suffered a complete memory loss of her incredible experiences alongside the Doctor. This resulted in a heartbreaking conclusion for Donna, as she not only forgot their amazing friendship but also the numerous occasions when she bravely rescued the universe. A teaser trailer for the 60th anniversary specials, unveiled on Christmas Day, featured Tennant's Doctor acknowledging Donna's frequent involvement in extraordinary events. He issued a cautionary statement, stating, "While I may not believe in destiny, if it does exist, it is undeniably leading towards Donna Noble."

In a trailer for the anniversary specials in September 2023, the Doctor somberly reflects on his departure from Donna. "There's this friend of mine, Donna Noble. To protect her, I had to erase her memories. If she remembers me, it would put her life at risk," he reveals.

Donna, on the other hand, senses a void in her memory. "Sometimes I feel like there's a missing piece," she confesses. "It's like I once had something wonderful, but now it's vanished. I lay in bed wondering, 'What have I lost?'"

She will quickly realize her readiness to defeat the extraterrestrial foes. Nonetheless, there might be repercussions if she intends to join forces with the Doctor once again in order to rescue the world. "I am uncertain if I can rescue you this time," remarks the Doctor.

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What Are the 60th Anniversary Specials Titled?

BBC unveiled a sneak peek of the highly anticipated 60th Anniversary trio of specials in May 2023. These specials, namely "The Star Beast," "Wild Blue Yonder," and "The Giggle," will mark the return of Tennant and Tate to the series. The trailer also offered a glimpse of Finney and Harris portraying Rose and the Toymaker in thrilling action.

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Who Will Miriam Margolyes Play?

The actress, known for her role in Harry Potter, will be lending her voice to Meep, a charming extraterrestrial character, in the anniversary special. In a statement released in September 2023, she expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work on Doctor Who, admitting her relief in experiencing it before her passing. She also thanked the show's fans for bringing immense happiness to her as an elderly woman.

Credit: BBC

Who Else Is Back?

Jemma Redgrave reprises her role as U.N.I.T.'s Kate Lethbridge-Stewart in the Doctor Who specials.