The new sonic has a distinct look and features a Rwandan proverb written in Gallifreyan symbols.
After Doctor Who‘s shock twist which saw the Doctor ‘bi-generate’ and essentially split in two – with both the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Doctor continuing to co-exist – the Fourteenth incarnation sauntered off to live a slower, happier life with Donna and her family.
As he did so, he took with him his sonic screwdriver, meaning that the Fifteenth Doctor needed a brand-new device. Now, Gatwa has introduced us to his sonic, in a behind-the-scenes video.
In the video, Gatwa introduces the sonic, calling it “a magnificent piece of Gallifreyan technology that helps the Doctor through all his scrapes and has lots of useful nooks and crannies too”.
Gatwa says that his favourite thing about his sonic is a message that is written in Gallifreyan symbols, which is a Rwandan proverb, translating to “the sharpness of the tongue defeats the sharpness of the warrior”.
The new sonic is powered by a purple crystal, and has what equates to, in Gatwa’s words, “a USB port”, meaning the Doctor can connect it to other technologies.
The new screwdriver is notably flatter than most and is made up of a combination of colours, including dark blue, gold and silver.
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As seen in The Giggle, Gatwa’s TARDIS is also slightly different to the Fourteenth Doctor’s, notably incorporating a jukebox.
New Doctor… new Sonic!
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) December 10, 2023
Here’s your first look at the new Sonic Screwdriver for Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor #DoctorWho ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/10oIZNpj3c
However, showrunner Russell T Davies has been quick to clarify that, despite the TARDIS duplicating, this is still “the old TARDIS”.
He said in a commentary for The Giggle: “I think, if I’m any judge of fandom, people will worry that that is a new TARDIS and not the old TARDIS, Ncuti’s TARDIS, and I’m here to say, in a story to come there is proof that it’s still the old TARDIS.”
Doctor Who will return for The Church on Ruby Road on BBC One at 5:55pm on Christmas Day.
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