THE BBC unveiled the official teaser for Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary special this Sunday (25th). Set in 2023, the threeepisode event marks the meeting between the 10th Doctor (David Tennant) and his companion, Donna Noble (Catherine Tate).
The special bridges the arrival of Ncuti Gatwa (Eric from Sexual Education) as the 15th incarnation of the protagonist. Tennant, who is also now living as the 14th Doctor, agreed to “revive” his version of the Doctor to appear alongside Catherine at the anniversary event.
The teaser shows Donna commenting that she feels like she’s forgotten something that was very important to her. Upon her departure from the series at the end of Season 4, the companion’s memory was erased by the 10th Doctor.
“Sometimes I think something is missing. Like I have something lovely and it’s gone,” says the character. Alongside Catherine, Jacqueline King and Karl Collins return as Sylvia Noble and Shaun Temple, Donna’s mother and husband, respectively.
However, the teaser does not explain how the encounter between the two former protagonists will take place. At one point in the video, the now 14th Doctor says that Donna will die if she remembers her adventures with him.
The preview also reveals the mysterious villain, played by Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother). His name and goals remain confidential.
With Tennant back in his signature role, the BBC will have one of the show’s most beloved actors back for the character’s 60th birthday. The three special episodes will be broadcast in November next year. The series originally launched on November 23, 1963 and ran through 1989 before resuming in March 2005 to introduce the hero to a new generation.
The British broadcaster made fun of the whole situation in a press release about the actor swap. “David Tennant, formerly known as the 10th Doctor, is now also known as the 14th Doctor. Confused? Don’t worry, he looks a bit perplexed too.”
Behind the scenes, the 60th anniversary special episodes will also mark the return of showrunner Russell T. Davies, who was responsible for the franchise’s return in 2005. “If you thought David Tennant’s performance was shocking, you know we have more surprises on the way. The journey to the 15th Doctor, played by Ncuti, will be filled with mystery, horror, robots, puppets, danger and fun. And how does this all tie into the return of the amazing Donna Noble? Like? What? There? We give you a whole year to speculate, and then anything can happen.”
The 14th season of the series, starring Ncuti Gatwa, is scheduled to premiere in the UK in 2024. Millie Gibson will be Ruby Sunday, the protagonist’s new companion, while trans actress Yasmin Finney, one of the highlights of Heartstopper, will play Rose Temple Noble.
Watch the nonsubtitles teaser of Doctor Who’s 60th special below: