David Tennant's Doctor Who comeback achieves highest ratings in four years
David Tennant's triumphant return to Doctor Who after four years secures the show's highest ratings in nearly a decade, as the eagerly awaited debut of his new Doctor mesmerizes fans worldwide
The Doctor Who special "The Star Beast," which marks the full debut of David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor, achieved the show's highest ratings since 2019. Premiering on BBC One in the UK & Ireland and on Disney+ elsewhere on November 25, the episode is one of three Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials scheduled for release in 2023.
The last two parts of the trilogy, "Wild Blue Yonder" and "The Giggle," are scheduled to be released on December 2 and 9. Each of the three specials stars Tennant and his former co-star Catherine Tate, with Tate returning to her original role as Donna Noble and Tennant taking on a new incarnation of the Doctor.
David Tennant’s Doctor Who return marks best ratings in four years
Tennant and Tate's return to Doctor Who in "The Star Beast" generated a lot of buzz due to their fan-favorite status. The anticipation surrounding their comeback has paid off in terms of ratings, as evidenced by the impressive viewership figures reported by The Daily Mail.
The Daily Mail reports that "The Star Beast" attracted approximately 5 million viewers on average, with a peak of over 6 million. This is a notable increase from "The Power of the Doctor," which had an average of 3.6 million viewers and a peak of 4 million in the final episode featuring Tennant's predecessor, Jodie Whittaker.
According to Digital Spy, "The Star Beast" achieved Doctor Who's highest viewership since the 2019 New Year's Day special "Resolution." Additionally, the outlet reported that "The Star Beast" performed better than the premiere of any other UK drama in 2023.
However, the success of the first Doctor Who 60th anniversary special outside of the UK & Ireland remains uncertain. Disney+ has yet to release any "Star Beast" viewership data, but the special did rank among the Top 5 most-watched shows in multiple regions.
David Tennant makes way for Doctor Who’s new star
The sustainability of Doctor Who’s high ratings post-Tennant’s departure is still uncertain. The transition will see Scottish actor handing over the reins to his successor, Ncuti Gatwa from Sex Education, in the finale episode titled “The Giggle.”
Gatwa will take on the role of the leading man from the 2023 holiday special "The Church on Ruby Road" onward. His first set of episodes will be broadcast in 2024 and will feature Millie Gibson as the new companion, Ruby Sunday. For the most up-to-date Doctor Who content, be sure to visit Dexerto's full coverage.
Editor's P/S
The triumphant return of David Tennant to Doctor Who has been met with excitement and enthusiasm by fans around the world. The show's highest ratings in nearly a decade are a testament to Tennant's enduring popularity and the enduring appeal of the Doctor Who franchise.
The chemistry between Tennant and Tate, who played Donna Noble, was electric and a key factor in the episode's success. Their return to the show was highly anticipated, and it seems that fans were not disappointed. The episode's strong ratings suggest that there is still a strong appetite for Doctor Who, and that the show's future is bright.
