As much as certain franchises likeDoctor Whomay be willing to take risks and try new things, many of them just can’t resist coming back for some good old-fashioned fanservice. Luckily, this isn’t the anime kind of fanservice. But given how excited some diehard devotees can get, maybe it’s close enough.
Doctor Who’s upcoming 60th anniversary in 2023 just gained a couple of guests of honor, but they aren’t just going to give a speech and call it a day. David Tennant and Catherine Tate, known for playing the 10th Doctor and Donna Noble, respectively, have signed on to reprise their beloved roles in a currently unannounced project. According to the BBC’s blog, the pair are currently filming scenes set to release in 2023 as part of the milestone celebration. First, fan-favoriteRussell T. Davies returns as showrunner, and now this? Whovians the world over are eating good tonight.
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“They’re back!” Davies teased in a prepared statement about the news. “And it looks impossible - first, we announce a new Doctor, and then an old Doctor, along with the wonderful Donna, what on earth is happening? Maybe this is a missing story. Or a parallel world. Or a dream, or a trick, or a flashback. The only thing I can confirm is that it’s going to be spectacular, as two of our greatest stars reunite for the battle of a lifetime.” This news comes right on the heels of the announcement thatSex EducationstarNcuti Gatwa will take over as the next Doctorafter Jodie Whittaker leaves the role at the end of 2022. That’s a nice collection of big reveals all at once.
While Gatwa is set to make his first appearance as The Doctor right after Whittaker’s time is up, it’s unclear when the new story featuring The 10th Doctor and Donna will air. But fans can rest easy knowing it shouldn’t take long, since their return coincides with the show’s 60th-anniversary celebration in 2023. Whether that entails a crossover episode or another theatrical special has yet to be seen. However, Davies' own words seem to indicate that it won’t just be a small cameo.
Tennant quickly won the hearts of audiences when he debuted as the 10th iteration of the time-traveling and dual-hearted lead character ofDoctor Whoin 2005, with Tate easily earning similar popularity asThe Doctor’s outspoken companion Donna. The nature of The Doctor’s character allows them to change faces every few years through “regeneration” rather than dying, giving numerous actors the chance to try their hand at the character since the show’s premiere way back in 1963. While fans hold infinitely diverse opinions on which version they prefer, Tennant’s portrayal is widely considered one of the most universally praised.
It’s an excellent time to be aDoctor Whofan, even if Whittaker’s time in the role still feels tragically short. Here’s hoping that, with the new focus on giving fans what they want, maybe she’ll one day get another chance to make it her own likeAndrew Garfield’s stunning performance inSpider-Man: No Way Home. Hey, nothing wrong with dreaming.
Doctor Whoairs on BBC.
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