Anticipation is building ahead of new episodes of Doctor Who - and fans are speculating we could be getting a new trailer for the 60th anniversary special during Eurovision next week.
A special episode marking 60 years of the sci-fi show on screen is due to air later this year, with David Tennant and Catherine Tate returning to the show. Meanwhile, filming for series 14 starring Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa as the new Doctor and Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday.
Expectations are high for the latest iteration of the Time Lord’s story with star names returning on and off screen. Here is a rundown of everything we know so far about the return of the BBC series, with some mild spoilers about the upcoming episodes.
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Who is returning behind the scenes?
Russell T Davies, who was head writer during the Christopher Ecclestone and David Tennant years, is returning to the role. His co-producers during that time - Phil Collinson, Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter - are also working behind the scenes of the new operation.
Murray Gold is also making a comeback as composer for the show. Rachel Talay, who directed several episodes in the Peter Capaldi era, will be at the helm of the first special for the 60th anniversary.
When will the new episodes be released?
Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary specials will air in November 2023 on the BBC. This will mark six decades since the show first aired.
There will be three episodes to mark the occasion, with exact dates as yet unconfirmed. The official anniversary of the show is November 23, when the first ever episode was broadcast in 1963.
David Tennant and Catherine Tate will return to the show for these episodes. Series 14, featuring the 15th Doctor Ncuti Gatwa, will likely premiere in later this year or early next year.
Why are David Tennant and Catherine Tate returning?
David Tennant is returning to the show, having previously played the 10th Doctor from 2005-2010. However, officially he has been called the 14th Doctor, which implies he is playing a new version of the Doctor rather than reviving his old incarnation.
Catherine Tate will definitely reprise her role as former companion Donna Noble. On screen, the Doctor had to wipe Donna’s entire memory of their adventures in order to save her life.
Russell T Davies has kept details of their return shrouded in mystery. When the announcement was made, he said: "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.”
When will the trailer be released?
Several teaser trailers have already been released, which have featured Neil Patrick Harris playing an unnamed villain. A BBC One ident was interrupted last weekend with new footage from the specials.
When the trailer was reversed by fans, the 14th Doctor could be heard saying “Cryptic, I hate that” while Donna asked “Why did this face have to come back?”.
Fans have also examined lesser spotted moments within the teaser for further clues about the specials. One argued the presence of the number seven in some computer code indicated that another trailer could be released on May 7 - the day of the coronation.
At one point in the footage, the code EV1305 can be seen. Many have speculated that this could refer to Eurovision, which is taking place on May 13.
Therefore, a new trailer could arrive during the BBC’s coverage of the Grand Final next Saturday. The BBC have not confirmed whether this is the case.
What do we know about Series 14?
Official photos of Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson were released last month, sporting 1960s-era clothes. It has also been revealed US drag artist Jinkx Monsoon will be playing an unnamed villain in the series.
Further details about the series are likely to be revealed once the anniversary specials are released. Spin-offs to the show are also rumoured, with Ncuti posing in front of a sign this year saying “The Home of the Whoniverse”.
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