In 2023, sci-fi series Doctor Who turns 60 and is celebrating the event with a three-parter that will bring on stars like David Tennant and Neil Patrick Harris.
Nearly 60 years ago, an eccentric who travelled through time and space saw the light of day and was taken to heart by millions: the Doctor from Doctor Who. In 2023, the long-running science fiction series from the UK is celebrating this anniversary with a three-part special that brings back some stars and presents How I Met Your Mother actor Neil Patrick Harris as the villain. A new teaser trailer was recently released.
Watch the teaser trailer here:
The teaser trailer shows the old Doctor and the new Doctor
One of the secrets to the sci-fi series’ longevity is the treatment of its main character. The Timelord known as the Doctor regenerates at regular intervals. When the cast doesn’t feel like it anymore, there’s just someone new.
That was the case at the end of last season. At that time, Jodie Whittaker’s 13th Doctor regenerated, however, something went wrong and out came a Doctor who looked suspiciously like Number 10 (David Tennant). We also see the star of Marvel’s Jessica Jones and Broadchurch in the teaser trailer, as well as Donna Noble (Catherine Tate), the former companion of Tennant’s 10th Doctor.
David Tennant technically plays the 14th Doctor in the special, though he won’t be taking on that role for any length of time. That’s because Jodie Whittaker’s actual successor is named Ncuti Gatwa, and is known from the Netflix series Sex Education. Gatwa’s 15th Doctor also shows up in the teaser trailer, and in a somewhat confused way.
Also seen is Neil Patrick Harris, who will be making his Doctor Who debut in an as yet unknown role.
The three-part Doctor Who birthday special is coming in November
The special will consist of three episodes airing in the UK in November 2023. More specific dates have not yet been set.
Russell T. Davies, an old acquaintance, is also returning behind the scenes. The TV veteran (Queer as Folk, It’s a Sin) launched the revival of Doctor Who in 2005 and was formative for the Tennant years. After a much-criticised decline in quality in recent seasons, he returns to Doctor Who to lead the new season with Ncuti Gatwa.
The latter’s 15th Doctor gets a companion named Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) and those who want to meet the duo can do so with this video:
✨ The lewk ✨ DoctorWho NcutiGatwa @MillieGibson01 pic. twitter.com/dBUrWAOFZL
– Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) December 17, 2022
The first episode of the next season will air in the “festive season” of 2023, as reported by the Radio Times
