Reunion of the TARDIS: All 12 Doctor Who Characters Set to Return

Article Overview

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of

Doctor Who

, the spinoff

Tales of the TARDIS

brings back 12 beloved characters, offering closure or new adventures.

Younger viewers are given the opportunity to rediscover beloved characters from the original series, all of whom have played important roles within the Whoniverse. The past iterations of the Doctor along with their companions make a special appearance in memorable scenes, offering a delightful and exhilarating experience for fans.

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the classic Doctor Who series, the BBC has created a special series called Tales of the TARDIS. This spinoff features 12 beloved characters from the old series, who gather and reflect on their past adventures. As a tribute to the show's history, these characters make appearances in short scenes at the beginning and end of each story, followed by a feature-length episode showcasing a classic serial.

The characters selected for Tales of the TARDIS were part of the original series, spanning from 1963 to 1989. Among them are three different versions of the Doctor, along with several companions. In the special Memory TARDIS, they find closure for unfinished storylines or embark on one final adventure together. While some may be unfamiliar to younger viewers, each character played a significant role in the Whoniverse and its spinoffs. This series serves as a reintroduction for modern fans to appreciate their contributions.

12. Steven Taylor (Pete Purves)

Steven Returns In Doctor Who: Tales Of The TARDIS Episode 5: "The Time Meddlers"

11. Vicki Pallister (Maureen O'Brien)

Steven Taylor was a fellow adventurer who accompanied the First Doctor and Vicki. He originated from a future era and acquired pilot training before joining the Spaceforce. In an unplanned manner, Steven managed to hide aboard the TARDIS, participating in the Doctor's final escapade with Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright. Subsequently, he continued journeying with the Doctor after Vicki's departure and Dodo's inclusion in the crew. Eventually, Steven made the decision to part ways with the TARDIS to assume the role of a ruler on a planet inhabited by Elders and Savages. Nonetheless, he did have brief encounters with the Doctor at a later time when he was in both his First and Fifth incarnations.

Vicki Returns In Doctor Who: Tales Of The TARDIS Episode 5: "The Time Meddlers"

Vicki, a young companion of the First Doctor, became his adopted granddaughter following the departure of his actual granddaughter, Susan, from the TARDIS. Alongside Ian and Barbara, Vicki embarked on her travels before urging the Doctor to return them to their own time. Eventually, she made the decision to leave and marry Troilus in ancient Rome, assuming the name Cressida. During her time with the Doctor, she formed a close bond with Steven Taylor. Prior to joining the Doctor, Vicki, whose origins can be traced to the distant future, possibly the 24th or 25th century depending on the account, possessed extensive knowledge and familiarity with aliens.

10. Jamie McCrimmon (Frazer Hines)

Jamie Returns In Doctor Who: Tales Of The TARDIS Episode 2: "The Mind Robber"

Jamie McCrimmon, a highland Scot from the 18th century, embarked on countless adventures with the Doctor, making him the companion with the most appearances alongside Doctor Who's titular character. Witnessing the arrival and departure of numerous companions, Jamie ventured into unimagined worlds and eras. However, the Time Lords condemned the Second Doctor to exile on Earth and wiped Jamie's memories of their shared adventures by sending him back to the moment before they began traveling together.

9. Zoe Heriot (Wendy Padbury)

Zoe Returns In Doctor Who: Tales Of The TARDIS Episode 2: "The Mind Robber"

Also accompanying the recently regenerated Second Doctor is Zoe, a scientist from the late 21st century who proves to be a formidable match for the Doctor's intelligence. Together, they often engage in friendly competition to solve problems, and despite her youthful age, Zoe frequently surpasses her older companion. Following the Time Lords' decision to banish the Doctor, Zoe's memories are also wiped clean, and she is sent back to the moment just before she joined him on their thrilling adventures.

8. Jo Grant (Katy Manning)

Jo Returns In Doctor Who: Tales Of The TARDIS Episode 4: "The Three Doctors"

Jo Grant was employed by UNIT while the Third Doctor found himself trapped on Earth, frequently collaborating with the government agency. Jo also accompanied the Doctor on his travels after his exile had ended, making her one of the few companions who encountered multiple iterations of the Doctor. In the 1972 serial "The Three Doctors," which marked the show's nearly 10-year milestone, she made an appearance. Furthermore, she more recently resurfaced in an episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures as Jo Jones, interacting with the Eleventh Doctor portrayed by Matt Smith.

7. Clyde Langer (Daniel Anthony)

Clyde Returns In Doctor Who: Tales Of The TARDIS Episode 4: "The Three Doctors"

Clyde Langer plays a prominent role in The Sarah Jane Adventures, a Doctor Who spinoff, alongside Sarah Jane and the other students of Park Vale School. In one episode, Clyde and the Eleventh Doctor exchange bodies after news of the Doctor's death reaches Sarah Jane and Jo Grant. Together with Sarah Jane and his peers, Clyde helps save Earth from alien threats on multiple occasions. Eventually, he decides to pursue a career as a comic book artist.

6. The Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison)

The Fifth Doctor Returns In Doctor Who: Tales Of The TARDIS Episode 1: "Earthshock"

Peter Davison portrayed the Doctor during his fifth regeneration. His depiction of the Doctor exhibited a youthful and inquisitive nature, often accompanied by numerous companions on his adventures. Despite being known for his amiable demeanor, the Fifth Doctor frequently found himself caught in heated disputes among his companions and experienced a profound sorrow when Adric lost his life in a Cybermen assault. Notably, Davison's Doctor shared a unique bond with David Tennant's Tenth Doctor, uniting in a brief special episode titled "Time Crash." In a serendipitous twist, Tennant later married Georgia, Davison's daughter, who herself made a guest appearance in an episode fittingly entitled "The Doctor's Daughter."

5. Tegan Jovanka (Janet Fielding)

Tegan Returns In Doctor Who: Tales Of The TARDIS Episode 1: "Earthshock"

Tegan Jovanka, an air stewardess, stumbled into the TARDIS of the Fourth Doctor after his regeneration. She accompanied the Doctor throughout his tenure as the Fourth Doctor and continued her adventures into his Fifth incarnation, where she joined a larger group that included Adric and Nyssa. Over time, Tegan became increasingly unsettled by the cruel and horrifying aspects of the universe, such as the Daleks, leading her to make the decision to return home. In addition, she made an appearance in modern Doctor Who alongside the Thirteenth Doctor, aiding in the defeat of the Master and the CyberMasters.

4. Colin Baker Is The Sixth Doctor

The Sixth Doctor Returns In Doctor Who: Tales Of The TARDIS Episode 3: "Vengeance On Varos"

The Sixth Doctor exhibited a significantly livelier and more talkative nature compared to his previous forms. Furthermore, his tendency to lose his temper resulted in an incident where he momentarily strangled his companion Peri Brown shortly after undergoing regeneration, engaging in several acts of violence that were uncharacteristic of his other incarnations. However, as his regeneration progressed, he gradually became more composed and adept at managing his frustrations. Throughout his various adventures, he acquired numerous companions and came to understand the significance of relying on others rather than relying solely on himself.

3. Peri Brown (Nicola Bryant)

The Sixth Doctor Returns In Doctor Who: Tales Of The TARDIS Episode 3: "Vengeance On Varos"

Perpugilliam Brown, commonly known as Peri, journeyed extensively with both the Fifth and Sixth Doctors. Originally crossing paths with the Fifth Doctor during a casual vacation encounter, Peri made the deliberate choice to continue accompanying him, embarking on numerous captivating escapades on Doctor Who before the Doctor underwent his transformative regeneration into his sixth manifestation. Although their initial interactions were fraught with difficulties, Peri and the Sixth Doctor's relationship gradually bloomed into a profound connection, only to be abruptly severed due to the intervention of the Time Lords.

2. The Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy)

The Seventh Doctor Returns In Doctor Who: Tales Of The TARDIS Episode 6: "The Curse of Fenric"

The Seventh Doctor had acquired extensive knowledge and mastered the art of skillfully navigating any situation to achieve his objectives. Despite his outwardly lighthearted, eccentric, and peculiar demeanor, this particular incarnation of the Doctor possessed a dark side, as he manipulated those around him and treated everything as if it were a mere game. Ultimately, this version of the Doctor sought to gain control over everything and everyone, but his downfall came unexpectedly when he was shot by a gang in San Francisco and the subsequent surgery resulted in further complications.

1. Ace (Sophie Aldred)

Ace Returns In Doctor Who: Tales Of The TARDIS Episode 6: "The Curse of Fenric"

Ace, a 1980s rebellious teenager living on Earth, found herself taken under the wing of the Doctor. However, the Doctor's motives were not entirely pure, as he used Ace as a pawn in his battle against Fenric. Despite this, a bond formed between them over time, only to be shattered by the Doctor's lies and manipulations. Fast forward to 2022, and Ace teamed up with Tegan and the Thirteenth Doctor to confront the Master. During a special episode of Doctor Who, Ace had a poignant moment of reconciliation with the Seventh Doctor, who appeared as a hologram, just before the Thirteenth Doctor's regeneration.

Editor's P/S

As a long-time fan of Doctor Who, I am thrilled to see the return of so many beloved characters in Tales of the TARDIS. This spinoff series is a wonderful way to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the show and to give younger viewers a chance to discover some of the classic characters from the original series.

I am particularly excited to see the return of Steven Taylor, Vicki, Jamie McCrimmon, and Zoe Heriot. These characters were all companions of the Doctor during his first and second incarnations, and they played a significant role in the show's history. It will be great to see them back in action and to learn more about their adventures.

I am also intrigued by the premise of the series. The characters will be gathered together in the Memory TARDIS, where they will reflect on their past adventures and perhaps even embark on one final journey together. This is a great opportunity to explore the relationships between the characters and to see how they have changed over the years.

Overall, I am very excited about Tales of the TARDIS. This series is a must-watch for any fan of Doctor Who.