Article Overview
David Tennant has acknowledged the potential for his return to Doctor Who following the 60th-anniversary specials. He conveys that it would be insincere to outright deny the possibility of being asked back again.
Tennant mentions Patrick Stewart's comeback to the Star Trek universe and discusses the potential for his own final appearance as The Doctor in the future.
Tennant's return paves the way for future actors to make similar choices within the show's established canon, following the examples of Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann who also returned to the series after lengthy absences.
David Tennant, who portrayed the Tenth Doctor from 2005 to 2010, has addressed the possibility of returning to Doctor Who after the 60th anniversary specials. As he prepares to reprise his role as the Fourteenth Doctor for a series of special episodes, Tennant discussed his Doctor Who future with SFX Magazine. He acknowledged that it would be insincere to claim that he would never be asked back again, pointing to Patrick Stewart's return to the Star Trek universe as inspiration. However, Tennant emphasized that he currently has no plans for a return.
I believe it would be insincere to assume that I may never be asked again, considering that history has shown it to be a recurring possibility. Therefore, I won't outright say never, as I doubt anyone would find that credible. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that I anticipate being asked again. I suppose as long as I am physically able to continue running down a corridor, the possibility remains open. Nevertheless, I assure you that I have no intentions of making plans for it.
"[Regarding Patrick Stewart in Star Trek] Perhaps my aspiration should be to have one final appearance as The Doctor at the age of 82. I still have 30 years to wait."
Why Another Doctor Who Return For David Tennant Is Possible
The anticipation surrounding Tennant's return to Doctor Who for the 60th-anniversary specials is immense. Not only will he be reprising his role in the series, but he will also be making history as the second actor to have a second reincarnation, taking on the role of the Fourteenth Doctor instead of his Tenth Doctor character. Although Tennant is not scheduled to appear in Doctor Who season 14, his return sets the stage for the show to explore similar canonical choices.
Sylvester McCoy was the first Doctor Who actor to portray two different incarnations. After briefly playing the Sixth Doctor, McCoy took over as the primary actor for the Seventh Doctor when Colin Baker, the original Sixth Doctor, did not return for the regeneration sequence.
The possibility of the Fourteenth Doctor regenerating into the Fifteenth Doctor relies on the outcome of the Doctor Who anniversary specials. The BBC has hinted that the Fourteenth Doctor will not survive these specials. This foreshadowing is alluded to through a picture of a bell, symbolizing that "it will chime four times." This alludes to the previous Doctor Who prophecy of "he will knock four times," which served as a sign of the Doctor's impending death.
However, Tennant's return demonstrates that even the most significant farewells of Time Lords, such as Tennant's emotional departure in season 4 of Doctor Who, do not necessarily mark the end of an actor's tenure. Fellow Time Lord actors McCoy and Paul McGann have also made recent comebacks to the show after being away for years. This indicates that future actors could potentially do the same. Given Tennant's status as one of the most beloved Doctor Who actors, it is entirely possible for him to return, even if he currently does not have any concrete plans to do so.
Source: SFX Magazine (via GamesRadar+)
Editor's P/S
As a passionate fan of Doctor Who, I am thrilled at the prospect of David Tennant potentially returning to the show beyond the 60th-anniversary episodes. His portrayal of the Tenth Doctor was iconic and beloved by fans, and I would be overjoyed to see him grace our screens once again.
The idea of Tennant's Doctor regenerating into a future incarnation is particularly exciting, as it opens up a wealth of possibilities for the show's future. It would also be a fitting tribute to the character's enduring legacy and popularity. Of course, whether or not Tennant will actually return remains to be seen, but the mere possibility is enough to set my heart racing with anticipation.