In Doctor Who Series 14, showrunner Russell T Davies hinted at a cameo from one of the most iconic rock bands in history. The highly-anticipated series, also referred to as Doctor Who Season 1, is set to debut in 2024 and will feature Ncuti Gatwa of Sex Education as the Fifteenth Doctor for the first time.
Gatwa's first appearance as the Fifteenth Doctor was in the third and last Doctor Who 60th anniversary special, "The Giggle." He will be returning as the Doctor in the upcoming Christmas special, "The Church on Ruby Road."
In addition to Gatwa's return, the Christmas special will also feature the introduction of the Doctor's new companion, Ruby Sunday (played by Millie Gibson). The special will also include a cameo by UK TV personality Davina McCall, who will be appearing as herself.
Ncuti Gatwa’s first Doctor Who season will feature an iconic music act
In addition to McCall, there are more famous faces lined up for Gatwa's debut. According to Radio Times, Davies has just announced that the Beatles will also make an appearance in Doctor Who Series 14.
What's happening here and when? Get a sneak peek at Doctor and Ruby as they enter the vibrant 1960s! Filming is underway for the new season of #DoctorWho. 🕰️🎥
"He said, 'The Christmas special is a completely different to the next episode, isn’t it? And then the one after that, that’s the Beatles… that’s nuts!' This suggests that fans can expect to see the Fab Four in Doctor Who Series 14’s second episode.
It is currently unclear what role The Beatles will play in the episode and who will portray them. The specific point in the band's career when the Doctor and Ruby will encounter them is also unknown. However, previously released stills of the Fifteenth Doctor and companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) in 1960s attire suggest that the encounter will take place during The Beatles' early days."
Doctor Who showrunner clarifies Series 14 “reset”
Time travel is standard practice in Doctor Who, however, Davies has repeatedly emphasized how much Gatwa’s tenure in the TARDIS will “reset” the franchise.
Davies has announced that the iconic Doctor Who villains, the Daleks and the Cybermen, will not be returning in the Fifteenth Doctor's first set of episodes. Despite this, he has refrained from using the term "reboot" in a recent interview.
"It's a complete reinvention," he stated. "A reinvention of the show, completely new, but not a reboot. It's the same show, everything is starting fresh, and everything is viewed through the eyes of Ruby Sunday. It's a wonderful feeling of starting a new era."
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Editor's P/S
As a lifelong fan of Doctor Who, I am incredibly excited about Ncuti Gatwa's debut season as the Fifteenth Doctor. Gatwa is a talented actor who brings a unique energy and charisma to the role. I believe he will be a fantastic addition to the show's long and storied history.
I am also intrigued by the rumors of a cameo appearance by The Beatles in the second episode of Series 14. The Beatles are one of the most iconic bands in history, and their inclusion in Doctor Who would be a major coup for the show. I can't wait to see how the writers incorporate them into the story and how they interact with the Doctor and Ruby.