Costume designer Pam Downe opened up about the Fifteenth Doctor’s spectacular wardrobe.
As we prepare for Ncuti Gatwa to land back on our screens in season 14 of Doctor Who, we’ve got so much to look forward to – not least his spectacular outfits.
It was previously confirmed that the stylish Fifteenth Doctor will have a whole range of costumes that differ each episode, rather than sticking to one style as many other Doctors have done.
Now, costume designer Pam Downe has revealed she’s included nods to past Doctors wherever she could in Gatwa’s wardrobe.
Speaking specifically about Gatwa’s Regency outfit, which will see him and Millie Gibson (Ruby Sunday) star alongside Jonathan Groff, Downe said: “I like to control the colours.”
She added to Doctor Who Magazine: “I don’t know if viewers will pick up on it, but the burgundy velvet of Ncuti’s jacket is a nod to past Doctors. I like to put little nods to the past in where I can.”
We can only assume the burgundy velvet is a reference to Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor, who Gatwa himself has previously spoken about with awe.
He told Rolling Stone: “I love Jon Pertwee, the Third Doctor’s, outfits. Lovely velvet jackets and frilly shirts.”
He added: “I feel a connection to him, our Doctors are the only two who dress like s**ts.”
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He went on to say: “The day Russell [T Davies] invited me to meet everybody, they asked me what sort of costume I wanted. I showed them this Ralph Lauren collection that was in partnership with Historically Black Colleges in America. I love those pieces, they’re so preppy and so Black.”
Gatwa has already had audiences hooked on his enigmatic and cheeky Doctor, with the 2023 Christmas special, The Church on Ruby Road, being his first full episode.
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In fact, the first scenes of the special kicked off the Fifteenth Doctor’s style in a big way, with the Time Lord seen dancing in a club rocking a gorgeous tartan kilt.
As for what other stunning outfits we’ll be blessed with, only time will tell.
Doctor Who will return in May. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on.