Ncuti Gatwa's TARDIS Detail Teases Future Stories For Fifteenth Doctor's Adventures
Doctor Who's production designer teases how the jukebox in Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor's TARDIS is a key detail for his future stories, as the Doctor prepares for new adventures and a departure from the 60th Anniversary storyline.
The Musical TARDIS
With his own time machine and adventures in store, Doctor Who production designer Phil Sims teases how the jukebox in Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor's TARDIS is a key detail for his future stories. The Sex Education's first solo adventure will be 2023's seasonal special 'The Church on Ruby Road', as the Doctor meets companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) while facing legions of goblins. Gatwa and Gibson will then return in a full season of adventures in 2024, while his second full season is currently in production. With Gatwa departing Doctor Who's 60th Anniversary storyline in a new, personalized TARDIS, Sims revealed to SFX Magazine (Via GamesRadar+) that one item has received a significant amount of attention across his first full season. Revealing that the jukebox was one of a number of items that showrunner Russell T Davies requested for the impressive new TARDIS set, the production designer states that Gatwa's TARDIS has utilized the device multiple times, teasing that musical moments have played a significant role across the currently filmed episode.
Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Special Part 3 The Giggle
The idea is that the Wurlitzer is the hatstand of Tom Baker’s TARDIS, so it’s where there’s been a very carefully chosen bit of furniture or ephemera. Russell asked for it. He thought about it. We talked about hatstands, we talked about all sorts of things. We tried different chairs, wingback chairs, all sorts of different chairs or sofas, or bits and pieces. There’s no hatstand – the hatstand didn’t make the cut. But the jukebox did. I don’t know how far ahead he was thinking. But the music’s been a recurring thing, we’ve used the jukebox quite a lot. Music has been really important in this series, certainly since Ncuti’s been the Doctor. I think they’ve all been chosen very carefully. There are some that are deliberately there for the plot.
The TARDIS' Furniture and the Doctor's Journey
Across Doctor Who's history, the TARDIS has adopted a number of additional features that correlate with each incarnation's unique arc and traits. While Sims noted the hat and scarf-wearing Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) had a hatstand, the modern era saw Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor's TARDIS control room feature bookshelves and chalkboards that would occasionally play a role in episodes. These additions would fit with companion Clara's (Jenna Coleman) teaching career, as well as the Twelfth Doctor's own brief tenure as a university lecturer across Doctor Who season 10.
As such, the Fifteenth Doctor's jukebox could also provide hints at the current status of the Fifteenth Doctor in their life. Promotional trailers for 'The Church on Ruby Road' have seen the Doctor dancing in crowded nightclubs, while it has been confirmed an upcoming historical episode of Doctor Who season 14 will see the Doctor visit the rise of The Beatles in '60s Britain, with the episode featuring many pieces of significant iconography for the classic rock band. While details are currently under tight wraps, it can be speculated that the Doctor's bi-generation split that allowed his Fourteenth incarnation (David Tennant) to have the time to process his past traumas has paid off, giving the Fifteenth Doctor a clearer lease on life where he is less burdened by what he's been through and the opportunity to live in the moment and take in everything his travels can offer.
The Future of Doctor Who
Ncuti Gatwa's new adventures represent an entirely new era for Doctor Who, leaving Davies and the crew free to take chances and experiment with the show's formula. As such, Sims' musical tease will leave audiences keen on seeing just how musical will affect the Doctor's adventures, especially with 2023's seasonal special featuring its own dark yet silly musical number. With a jukebox full of tracks spanning all of time, certain fans may be eager to hear just what the Doctor's personal playlist might be, and how these songs can create standout moments.
Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road is set to air on December 25 on Disney+ for international audiences, and BBC One and BBC iPlayer for UK viewers. Season 14 is expected to air on both platforms in 2024.
