Could we see the Tenth Doctor – or the Fourteenth – again?

By Morgan Jeffery

Published: Wednesday, 01 November 2023 at 21:00 PM


David Tennant is about to stage a triumphant Doctor Who comeback, becoming the only actor to play two different incarnations as he makes his debut as the Fourteenth Doctor.

It’s not the first time that Tennant has returned to the BBC sci-fi series since his original departure in 2010 – he reprised the Tenth Doctor in 2013, for the 50th anniversary special The Day of the Doctor – and he’s not ruling out another appearance in the future.

“I think it would be disingenuous to imagine that I might never be asked again, because history would indicate that it was always a possibility,” he told SFX.

He continued: “So I’m not going to say never because I don’t think anyone would believe me.

“That doesn’t mean I know that I ever will. But I suppose until I can’t run down a corridor it’s always a possibility. But I promise to have no plans.”

Reminded that Patrick Stewart is still playing Star Trek’s Jean-Luc Picard aged 82, 52-year-old Tennant responded: “Oh, how nice. Maybe that should be my goal, to have one last outing as the Doctor at 82. I’ve got 30 years to wait.”

Doctor Who will return on Sunday 25th November 2023, with the first of three special episodes starring David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble to mark 60 years of the series, and Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa’s first episode as the Fifteenth Doctor following over the festive period.

Catherine Tate as Donna Noble, David Tennant as The Fourteenth Doctor holding the sonic screwdriver with a robot in the background
Catherine Tate and David Tennant in the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials.
BBC

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Gatwa will be joined by Coronation Street star Millie Gibson as new companion Ruby Sunday in episodes shepherded by returning showrunner Russell T Davies.

Doctor Who will premiere exclusively on the BBC in the UK and Ireland, while Disney Plus will be the exclusive home for new episodes internationally.

The new issue of SFX magazine is on sale now.

SFX Doctor Who cover

Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer with episodes of the classic series also available on BritBox – you can sign up for a 7-day free trial here.

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