As the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who approaches, both the BBC and Disney+ have unveiled the highly-anticipated trailer and release dates for the three-part special celebrating this iconic series.
The milestone 60th anniversary event welcomes the return of showrunner Russell T Davies, along with beloved actors David Tennant and Catherine Tate reprising their roles as The Doctor and Donna Noble, respectively, in this space-and-time-traveling adventure.
Adding to the excitement, this special introduces new talent to the Doctor Who universe, with a particular focus on LGBTQ+ representation. Trans icon Yasmin Finney, known for her role in “Heartstopper,” takes on the character of Rose Temple-Noble, who is Donna’s daughter. Furthermore, Neil Patrick Harris, of “Uncoupled” fame, and the legendary Miriam Margolyes join the cast as classic Doctor Who villains, The Toymaker and Beep the Meep.
The latest trailer, released by Disney+ on October 25th, showcases Tennant’s 14th Doctor forebodingly hinting at the return of something ominous. With the help of Rose, Donna, and UNIT, they embark on a mission to save the universe. Neil Patrick Harris as The Toymaker is seen donning a suit and top hat, exuding an air of menace before undergoing a startling transformation into a colossal, smoky figure. In another moment, he appears in red and white attire, playfully scattering rose petals.
Fans of the series can mark their calendars with the release schedule for the three-part special. Although the official 60th anniversary of Doctor Who is on November 23rd, the first episode titled “The Star Beast” is set to air on Saturday, November 25th. The trilogy concludes with David Tennant’s Doctor regenerating into the 15th Doctor, portrayed by Ncuti Gatwa. The 15th Doctor’s inaugural full-sized TARDIS adventure will be broadcast on Christmas Day, with the complete series slated for 2024.
Exciting developments are on the horizon for Yasmin Finney’s character in the forthcoming special. Earlier this year, Russell T Davies expressed his delight in collaborating with the 19-year-old rising star and gaining insight into her values, politics, and experiences. In addition, Yasmin Finney shared her special on-screen connection with fellow queer Black actor Ncuti Gatwa, emphasizing the significance of their joint representation.
Doctor Who’s triumphant return is scheduled for November 25th on BBC One in the UK, and it will be available to a global audience on Disney+.
