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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Rebecca Cook

Doctor Who fans treated to explosive Christmas trailer of David Tennant and Ncuti Gatwa

Doctor Who fans have been treated to a fresh nail-biting first look at the upcoming 60th-anniversary specials of the sci-fi show, featuring returning Doctor David Tennant and new star Ncuti Gatwa.

The fan favourite Time Lord made a surprise return to the character when Jodie Whittaker regenerated earlier this year, becoming the 14th iteration of the Doctor.

In a new teaser trailer for the 60th anniversary next year, released on Christmas Day, Tennant’s character is seen on a mission to save his old companion Donna Noble (played by returning star Catherine Tate).

However, the task to help proves harder than it may seem, after Donna was forced to forget about everything she did with the Doctor and their travels in her last stint on the show.

Fuelled by the knowledge she could die if she remembers him, the Doctor needs help to save her as "destiny comes after her".

The fan favourite Time Lord made a surprise return to the character (BBC)
Returning star Catherine Tate will once again plan Donna (BBC)

In the first look trailer, Donna is seen worriedly talking to her mum Sylvia (Jacqueline King), and says: "Sometimes I feel like something's missing. Like I had something lovely, and it's gone."

The Broadchurch actor, looking confused, then strolls out of the TARDIS into a busy street, saying: “I don’t know who I am anymore.”

It’s A Sin actor Neil Patrick Harris then makes his eerie appearance in a mime outfit as he offers a creepy wave – before transforming into an apparent circus master, complete with German accent.

The clip continues with explosive scenes as a car is blown up, a terrifying monster clomping its jaws and a shoot-out ensues on a suburban street.

As alien robots appear to invade the UK, the Doctor warns: “If she ever remembers me she will die,” before the clip ends with the new Doctor Ncuti shocked by the chaos he is entering.

Ncuti Gatwa will take over the reigns of the TARDIS (BBC)
Neil Patrick Harris makes his appearance as an eerie mime (BBC)

The final seconds of the clip sees Gatwa furiously asking: “Will someone tell me what the hell is going on here?!”

Other new additions to the cast include Heartstopper's Yasmin Finney as Rose, a character currently speculated by fans to be Donna's daughter.

On the new trailer, which is jam-packed with Easter Eggs for fans to digest, showrunner Russell T Davies said: "We wanted to give fans, friends and families a lovely little Christmas present - with a promise that 2023 will be a riot of Doctor Who goodness!"

The three episodes will air in November 2023 before Ncuti Gatwa, 30, takes over the reigns of the TARDIS for his stint on the show.

Doctor Who will return to the BBC in November 2023.

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