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{{real world}}
{{real world}}
{{Infobox Series
{{Infobox Series
|image       = Doctor Who Series 7-B The Bells of Saint John Logo.jpg
|image         = <gallery>
|image2     = Specials promo postcard.jpg
Doctor Who 50th anniversary logo.jpeg|Anniversary
Doctor Who Series 7-B The Bells of Saint John Logo.jpg|Christmas
</gallery>
|image2         = Specials promo postcard.jpg
|broadcast year = 2013
|broadcast year = 2013
|nth season =  
|nth season     =  
|story count =  
|ep count       = 2 minisodes & 2 full
|ep count    = 4
|story count    = 4
|first ep   = The Night of the Doctor (TV story)
|first ep       = The Night of the Doctor (TV story)
|doctor     = Eleventh Doctor
|doctor         = Eleventh Doctor
|doctor2     = War Doctor
|doctor2       = Eighth Doctor
|companion   = Clara Oswald
|companion     = Clara Oswald
|producer   = Denise Paul
|main enemy    = [[Dalek]]s
|producer2   = Marcus Wilson
|producer       = Denise Paul
|exec prod   = Steven Moffat
|producer2     = Marcus Wilson
|exec prod2 = Faith Penhale
|exec prod     = Steven Moffat
|exec prod3 = Brian Minchin
|exec prod2     = Faith Penhale
|start date = [[14 November (releases)|14 November]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]]
|exec prod3     = Brian Minchin
|end date   = [[25 December (releases)|25 December]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]]
|start date     = [[14 November (releases)|14 November]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]]
|network     = BBC One
|end date       = [[25 December (releases)|25 December]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]]
|runtime     = various
|network       = BBC One
|DWM             = DWM 462
|runtime       =  
|DWM2             = DWM 463
|DWM           = DWM 462
|DWM3             = DWM 464
|DWM2           = DWM 463
|DWM4             = DWM 465
|DWM3           = DWM 464
|DWM5             = DWM 466
|DWM4           = DWM 465
|DWM6             = DWM 467
|DWM5           = DWM 466
|DWM7             = DWM 468
|DWM6           = DWM 467
|DWM8             = DWM 469
|DWM7           = DWM 468
|DWMSE       = DWMSE 38
|DWM8           = DWM 469
|DWMSE         = DWMSE 38
|ref book      = TCH 75{{!}}The Complete History 75
|ref book2      =
|ref book3      =
|ref book4      =
|ref book5      =
|doc            =
|doc2          =
|doc3          =
|doc4          =
|doc5          =
|action figures =  
|action figures =  
|prev       = Series 7 (Doctor Who)
|prev           = Series 7 (Doctor Who 2005)
|next       = Series 8 (Doctor Who)
|next           = Series 8 (Doctor Who 2005)
|trailer         = The Day of the Doctor The Second TV Trailer - Doctor Who 50th Anniversary - BBC One
|trailer       = The Day of the Doctor The Second TV Trailer - Doctor Who 50th Anniversary - BBC One
|trailer2      = The Time of the Doctor second trailer - Doctor Who Christmas Special 2013 - BBC
|trailer2      = The Time of the Doctor second trailer - Doctor Who Christmas Special 2013 - BBC
|clip          = Eighth Doctor Regenerates into War Doctor - Paul McGann to John Hurt - Doctor Who - BBC
|clip          = Eighth Doctor Regenerates into War Doctor - Paul McGann to John Hurt - Doctor Who - BBC
|clip2          = The Eleventh Doctor Meets The Curator (Tom Baker) - Doctor Who - Day of the Doctor - BBC
|clip2          = The Eleventh Doctor Meets The Curator (Tom Baker) - Doctor Who - Day of the Doctor - BBC
|clip3          = The Eleventh Doctor Regenerates - Matt Smith to Peter Capaldi - Doctor Who - BBC
|clip3          = The Eleventh Doctor Regenerates - Matt Smith to Peter Capaldi - Doctor Who - BBC
}}
|bts            = Steven Moffat On Matt Smith's Era, Writing The 50th Anniversary & MORE! - Doctor Who The Fan Show
The '''2013 specials''' were a number of television stories that were written and produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. Like the 20th anniversary special, ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'', these specials are not considered to be part of a numbered season.
}}{{You may|60th Anniversary Specials|List of anniversaries|n1=the 60th Anniversary Specials|n2=another anniversary altogether}}
The '''50th Anniversary Specials''' were a number of stories released in [[2013 (releases)|2013]] to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. Like the 20th anniversary special, {{cs|The Five Doctors (TV story)}}, these specials are not considered to be part of a numbered season.
 
The two main stories were {{cs|The Day of the Doctor (TV story)}} and {{cs|The Time of the Doctor (TV story)}}, principally starring [[Matt Smith]] as the [[Eleventh Doctor]] and [[Jenna Coleman]] as [[Clara Oswald]].


== Overview ==
== Overview ==
The 2013 specials follow on from the final moments of ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'', in which [[Clara Oswald]] discovers the Doctor's greatest secret, a previously unknown incarnation.  
The 50th Anniversary Specials followed on from the final moments of {{cs|The Name of the Doctor (TV story)}}, in which [[Clara Oswald]] discovered the Doctor's greatest secret, a previously unknown incarnation known as the [[War Doctor]]. Because of this narrative connection, ''The Name of the Doctor'' was subsequently included in the ''[[50th Anniversary Collector's Edition]]'' box set.
 
The anniversary stories revolved around the War Doctor and the final events of the [[Last Great Time War]]. The Christmas special also followed on from ''Name'' by focusing on the Doctor's life on [[Trenzalore]] and resolving a great deal of conflicts and mysteries surrounding his lifetime, and the coming end of his life.
 
The specials featured a number of the Doctor's regenerations, specifically those of the [[Eighth Doctor|Eighth]], War, and [[Eleventh Doctor|Eleventh]] Doctors. As such, the regenerations of all but the [[Second Doctor]] have now been depicted on-screen.


The anniversary stories revolve around this incarnation, known as the [[War Doctor]], and the final events of the [[Last Great Time War]]. The Christmas special follows on
During the specials, the [[regeneration cycle]] introduced in the [[1976 (releases)|1976]] serial ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'' was addressed. Before the specials aired, discussions and rumours about the War Doctor's true nature made it unclear whether or not the Doctor had truly undergone just ten regenerations up to Matt Smith's incarnation.
from ''Name'' by focusing on the Doctor's life on [[Trenzalore]].


The specials also featured a number of the Doctor's regenerations, specifically those of the [[Eighth Doctor|Eighth]], [[War Doctor|War]], and [[Eleventh Doctor|Eleventh]] Doctors. As such, the regenerations of all but the [[Second Doctor]] have now been depicted on-screen.
Furthermore, the specials answered the long-standing fan speculation that had arisen since the events of the two-part [[Series 4 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 4]] finale in [[2008 (releases)|2008]], {{cs|The Stolen Earth (TV story)}} and {{cs|Journey's End (TV story)}}, where the Tenth Doctor circumvented a regeneration and whether or not that had counted in the cycle.


== Cast ==
The formal introduction of the War Doctor and the eventual depiction of his own regeneration into the [[Ninth Doctor]] meant the Doctor actually had regenerated more times than previously suggested. When the birth of the [[Meta-Crisis Tenth Doctor]] was also proven to have used up a regeneration, it signified all twelve regenerations in the cycle were exhausted. The Doctor was then bestowed a second regeneration cycle to bypass this limit.
The 2013 specials saw the end of [[Matt Smith]]'s tenure as the [[Eleventh Doctor]], and ended with his regeneration into the [[Twelfth Doctor|Twelfth]], played by [[Peter Capaldi]].
 
The 2013 specials saw the end of [[Matt Smith]]'s tenure as the Eleventh Doctor, and ended with his regeneration into the [[Twelfth Doctor|Twelfth]], played by [[Peter Capaldi]].


Celebrating the shows 50th anniversary, several of the specials also featured previous actors who had portrayed the Doctor. [[Paul McGann]] portrayed the [[Eighth Doctor]] on-screen for the first time since his initial portrayal in [[TV]]: ''[[Doctor Who (TV story)|Doctor Who]]'', [[David Tennant]] returned as the [[Tenth Doctor]], and all other former actors were seen through the use of archive footage. The War Doctor was also played by [[John Hurt]].
Celebrating the shows 50th anniversary, several of the specials also featured previous actors who had portrayed the Doctor. [[Paul McGann]] portrayed the Eighth Doctor on-screen for the first time since his initial portrayal in [[TV]]: {{cs|Doctor Who (TV story)}}, [[David Tennant]] returned as the [[Tenth Doctor]], and all other former actors were seen through the use of archive footage. [[Tom Baker]] also returned but instead playing the role of [[the Curator]], an enigmatic character who is a future incarnation of the Doctor. The War Doctor was also played by [[John Hurt]].


Although [[Jenna Coleman]] returned as sole companion [[Clara Oswald]], [[Billie Piper]] returned to the series, but portraying a representation of the [[Bad Wolf (entity)|Bad Wolf]], rather than her regular character of companion [[Rose Tyler]].
Although [[Jenna Coleman]] returned as sole companion Clara Oswald, [[Billie Piper]] returned to the series, but portraying a representation of the [[Bad Wolf (entity)|Bad Wolf]], rather than her regular character of companion [[Rose Tyler]].


[[Tom Baker]] also played the role of the [[The Curator (The Day of the Doctor)|Curator]], an enigmatic character who may or may not be a future incarnation of the Doctor.
== Cast ==
* [[Eleventh Doctor]] - [[Matt Smith]]<!--Two pre-title credits-->
* [[Clara Oswald]] - [[Jenna Coleman]]<!--Two pre-title credits-->
* [[War Doctor]] - [[John Hurt]]<!--pre-title for an episode and credit for a minisode-->
* [[Eighth Doctor]] - [[Paul McGann]]<!--pre-title for a minisode and credit for an episode-->
* [[Tenth Doctor]] - [[David Tennant]]<!--one pre-title only-->
* [[The Moment]] - [[Billie Piper]]<!--one pre-title only-->
: and introducing [[Peter Capaldi]] as [[Twelfth Doctor|the Doctor]]


=== Recurring ===
=== Recurring ===
* The [[Eleventh Doctor]] - [[Matt Smith]]
* [[Ohila]] - [[Clare Higgins]]
* [[Clara Oswald]] - [[Jenna Coleman]]
* [[Time Lord soldier 1 (The Last Day)|Time Lord soldier]] - [[Chris Finch]]
* The [[Tenth Doctor]] - [[David Tennant]]
* [[Ninth Doctor]] - [[Christopher Eccleston]]
* The [[War Doctor]] - [[John Hurt]]
* [[Seventh Doctor]] - [[Sylvester McCoy]]
* [[Sixth Doctor]] - [[Colin Baker]]
* [[Fifth Doctor]] - [[Peter Davison]]
* [[Fourth Doctor]] - [[Tom Baker]]
* [[Third Doctor]] - [[Jon Pertwee]]
* [[Second Doctor]] - [[Patrick Troughton]]
* [[First Doctor]] - [[William Hartnell]] and additionally voiced by [[John Guilor]]
* [[Kate Stewart]] - [[Jemma Redgrave]]
* [[Kate Stewart]] - [[Jemma Redgrave]]
* The [[First Doctor]] - [[John Guilor]]
* [[Petronella Osgood|Osgood]] - [[Ingrid Oliver]]
* The [[Eighth Doctor]] - [[Paul McGann]]
* [[The General]] - [[Ken Bones]]
* The [[Twelfth Doctor]] - [[Peter Capaldi]]
* [[Elizabeth I]] - [[Joanna Page]]
* [[Queen Elizabeth I]] - [[Joanna Page]]
* [[Zygon]]s - [[Aidan Cook]], [[Paul Kasey]] and voiced by [[Nicholas Briggs]]
* [[Osgood (The Day of the Doctor)|Osgood]] - [[Ingrid Oliver]]
* [[Dalek]]s - [[Dalek operator|operated]] by [[Barnaby Edwards]], [[Nicholas Pegg]] and voiced by [[Nicholas Briggs]]
* [[Dave Oswald]] - [[James Buller]]
* [[Clara Oswald's gran|Clara's gran]] - [[Sheila Reid]]
* [[Cyberman|Cybermen]] - [[Aidan Cook]] and voiced by [[Nicholas Briggs]]
* [[Silent]]s - [[Ross Mullan]]
* [[Sontaran]] - [[Dan Starkey]]
* [[Weeping Angel]] - [[Sarah Louise Madison|Sarah Madison]]
* [[Amy Pond]] - [[Karen Gillan]]


=== Guest ===
=== Guest ===
* [[The Moment]] - [[Billie Piper]]
* [[Cass Fermazzi|Cass]] - [[Emma Campbell-Jones]]
* [[Cass (The Night of the Doctor)|Cass]] - [[Emma Campbell-Jones]]
* [[Curator]] - [[Tom Baker]]
* [[Ohila]] - [[Clare Higgins]]
* [[Androgar]] - [[Peter De Jersey]]
* [[The General]] - [[Ken Bones]]
* [[The Curator (The Day of the Doctor)|The Curator]] - [[Tom Baker]]
* [[Tasha Lem]] - [[Orla Brady]]
* [[Tasha Lem]] - [[Orla Brady]]
* [[Handles]] - [[Kayvan Novak]]


== Television stories ==
== Television stories ==
=== Mini-episodes ===
=== Special episodes ===
{| {{prettytable}}
{| {{prettytable}}
!'''Title''' || '''Writer''' || '''Director''' || '''Notes'''
!'''Episode<br />Number''' || '''Title''' || '''Writer''' || '''Director''' || '''Notes'''
|-
|-
|''[[The Night of the Doctor (TV story)|The Night of the Doctor]]''||[[Steven Moffat]]||[[John Hayes]]||Reappearance and regeneration of the [[Eighth Doctor]]. Chronological debut of the [[War Doctor]].
|50th Anniversary||{{cs|The Day of the Doctor (TV story)}}||[[Steven Moffat]]||[[Nick Hurran]]||First full appearance of the [[War Doctor]]. Guest appearances by the [[Tenth Doctor]] and [[Elizabeth I]]. Reintroduction of the [[Zygon]]s. First appearance of the [[Twelfth Doctor]], [[Petronella Osgood]], [[the General]], and [[the Curator]]. [[War Doctor's regeneration|Regeneration]] of the War Doctor into the [[Ninth Doctor]]. [[Gallifrey]] saved from [[Fall of Gallifrey|destruction]].
|-
|-
|''[[The Last Day]]''||Steven Moffat||[[Jamie Stone]]|| [[Dalek]] invasion of [[Gallifrey]]
|Christmas||{{cs|The Time of the Doctor (TV story)}}||Steven Moffat||[[Jamie Payne]]||Final regular appearance of the [[Eleventh Doctor]]. Origin of [[the Silence]] and fate of Gallifrey revealed. The [[Siege of Trenzalore]] is depicted. The Doctor's regeneration cycle is extended. Conclusion of the "Trenzalore" arc. Official [[Fall of the Eleventh|debut]] of the [[Twelfth Doctor]].
|}
|}


=== Special episodes ===
=== Mini-episodes ===
{| {{prettytable}}
{| {{prettytable}}
!'''Episode<br />Number''' || '''Title''' || '''Writer''' || '''Director''' || '''Notes'''
!'''Title''' || '''Writer''' || '''Director''' || '''Notes'''
|-
|{{cs|The Night of the Doctor (TV story)}}
| rowspan=3|[[Steven Moffat]]
|[[John Hayes]]
|Reintroduction of the [[Sisterhood of Karn]]. Guest appearance by the [[Eighth Doctor]], and depicts his [[Eighth Doctor's regeneration|regeneration]] into the [[War Doctor]].
|-
|-
|50th Anniversary||''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]''||[[Steven Moffat]]||[[Nick Hurran]]||First full appearance of the [[War Doctor]]<br>Reappearance of the [[Tenth Doctor]], [[Dalek]]s, and the [[Zygon]]s. Regeneration  of the War Doctor into [[Ninth Doctor]]. First appearance of the [[Twelfth Doctor]].  [[Tom Baker]] makes a cameo as [[The Curator (The Day of the Doctor)|the Curator]].
|''[[The Last Day (TV story)|The Last Day]]''
|[[Jamie Stone]]
|The Doctors do not appear.
|-
|-
|Christmas||''[[The Time of the Doctor]]''||Steven Moffat||[[Jamie Payne]]||Regeneration of the [[Eleventh Doctor]]. Chronological debut of the Twelfth Doctor.
|''[[Cinema Introduction to The Day of the Doctor (theatrical film)|Cinema Intros: Strax & The Doctor]]''
|
|Features [[Strax]] and the Doctors addressing the cinema audience.
|}
|}


== Related episodes ==
== Related specials ==
Alongside the canonical continuation of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' itself, a number of specials were also made relating to the real world production of the ''Doctor Who'' [[Doctor Who universe|universe]].
Alongside the continuation of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' itself, a number of specials were also made relating to the real world production of the ''Doctor Who'' [[Doctor Who universe|universe]].


{| {{prettytable}}
{| {{prettytable}}
!'''Title''' || '''Writer''' || '''Director''' || '''Notes'''
!'''Title''' || '''Writer''' || '''Director''' || '''Notes'''
|-
|-
|''[[An Adventure in Space and Time (TV story)|An Adventure in Space and Time ]]''||[[Mark Gatiss]]||[[Terry McDonough]]||Docudrama of [[William Hartnell]]'s tenure as [[The Doctor]].
|''[[An Adventure in Space and Time (TV story)|An Adventure in Space and Time]]''
|[[Mark Gatiss]]
|[[Terry McDonough]]
|Docudrama of [[William Hartnell]]'s tenure as [[The Doctor]].
|-
|-
|''[[The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot (TV story)|The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot]]''||[[Peter Davison]]||Peter Davison||Parody episode starring Peter Davison, [[Colin Baker]], and [[Sylvester McCoy]].
|''[[The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot (TV story)|The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot]]''
| colspan=2|[[Peter Davison]]
|Parody episode starring Peter Davison, [[Colin Baker]], and [[Sylvester McCoy]].
|}
|}
== Aliens and enemies ==
* [[Gallifreyan]]s
** [[Sisterhood of Karn]]
*** [[Ohila]]
* [[Zygon]]s
* [[Time Lord]]s
** [[Time Lord soldier 1 (The Last Day)|Soldier 1]]
** [[Time Lord soldier 2 (The Last Day)|Soldier 2]]
** [[The General]]
** [[Androgar]]
* [[The Moment]] ([[Sentience|Sentient]] [[weapon]])
* [[Dalek]]s
* [[Handles]]
* [[The Church]] of [[the Silence]]
** [[Tasha Lem]]
** [[Meme (The Time of the Doctor)|Colonel Meme]]
** [[Silent]]s
* [[Weeping Angel]]s
* [[Sontaran]]s
* [[Cybermen]]
** [[Wooden Cyberman]]


== Adaptations and merchandising ==
== Adaptations and merchandising ==
=== Home media ===
=== Home media ===
==== DVD / Blu-ray ====
==== DVD / Blu-ray ====
{{Section stub|This section need to have images added, showing the individual sets.}}
The Collector's edition also featured the [[Series 7 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 7]] finale {{cs|The Name of the Doctor (TV story)}}.
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
|-
Line 118: Line 197:
! style="width:10%;" | '''R1 release date'''
! style="width:10%;" | '''R1 release date'''
|-
|-
| Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor<br />''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]''<br />''[[The Night of the Doctor (TV story)|The Night of the Doctor]]''<br />''[[The Last Day (TV story)|The Last Day]]'' || 1 × 75 min.<br />1 × 8 min.<br />1 × 3 min. || [[2 December (releases)|2 December]] [[2013]] || [[4 December (releases)|4 December]] 2013 || [[10 December (releases)|10 December]] 2013
| Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor<br />{{cs|The Day of the Doctor (TV story)}}<br />{{cs|The Night of the Doctor (TV story)}}<br />{{cs|The Last Day (TV story)}} || 1 × 77 min.<br />1 × 8 min.<br />1 × 3 min. || [[2 December (releases)|2 December]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]] || [[4 December (releases)|4 December]] 2013 || [[10 December (releases)|10 December]] 2013
|-
|-
| Doctor Who: An Adventure in Space and Time<br />''[[An Adventure in Space and Time (TV story)|An Adventure in Space and Time]]'' || 1 × 90 min. || [[2 December (releases)|2 December]] [[2013]] || [[4 December (releases)|4 December]] 2013 || [[27 May (releases)|27 May]] [[2014]]
| Doctor Who: An Adventure in Space and Time<br />{{cs|An Adventure in Space and Time (TV story)}} || 1 × 90 min. || [[2 December (releases)|2 December]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]] || [[4 December (releases)|4 December]] 2013 || [[27 May (releases)|27 May]] [[2014 (releases)|2014]]
|-
|-
| Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor<br />''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]'' || 1 × 60 min. || [[20 January (releases)|20 January]] 2014 || [[22 January (releases)|22 January]] 2014 || [[4 March (releases)|4 March]] 2014
| Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor<br />{{cs|The Time of the Doctor (TV story)}} || 1 × 60 min. || [[20 January (releases)|20 January]] 2014 || [[22 January (releases)|22 January]] 2014 || [[4 March (releases)|4 March]] 2014
|-
|-
| Doctor Who: 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition<br />''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]''<br />''[[The Night of the Doctor (TV story)|The Night of the Doctor]]''<br />''[[The Last Day (TV story)|The Last Day]]''<br />''[[The Time of the Doctor (TV story)|The Time of the Doctor]]''<br />''[[An Adventure in Space and Time (TV story)|An Adventure in Space and Time]]''<br />''[[The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot (TV story)|The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot]]'' || 1 × 75 min.<br />1 × 8 min.<br />1 × 3 min.<br />1 × 60 min.<br />1 × 90 min.<br />1 × 30 min. || [[8 September (releases)|8 September]] 2014 || [[10 September (releases)|10 September]] 2014 || TBA
| Doctor Who: 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition<br />{{cs|The Name of the Doctor (TV story)}}<br />{{cs|The Day of the Doctor (TV story)}}<br />{{cs|The Night of the Doctor (TV story)}}<br />{{cs|The Last Day (TV story)}}<br />{{cs|The Time of the Doctor (TV story)}}<br />{{cs|An Adventure in Space and Time (TV story)}}<br />{{cs|The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot (TV story)|The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot}} || 1 x 45 min.<br />1 × 77 min.<br />1 × 8 min.<br />1 × 3 min.<br />1 × 60 min.<br />1 × 90 min.<br />1 × 30 min. || [[8 September (releases)|8 September]] 2014 || [[10 September (releases)|10 September]] 2014 || TBA
|}
|}
The 50th Anniversary Specials released on [[21 November (releases)|21 November]] [[2023 (releases)|2023]] in a limited edition Blu-ray box set containing every "New Who" series up to [[Series 13 (Doctor Who 2005)|Series 13]].<ref>https://www.ign.com/articles/doctor-who-limited-edition-complete-new-who-blu-ray-set-is-up-for-preorder</ref>
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" widths="150">
Limited Edition New Who Blu-Ray Collection Box Set front.jpg|New Who Limited Edition (front)
Limited Edition New Who Blu-Ray Collection Box Set back.jpg|New Who Limited Edition (back)
Limited Edition New Who Blu-Ray Collection Box Set promo front.jpg|New Who Limited Edition (front)
Limited Edition New Who Blu-Ray Collection Box Set promo back.jpg|New Who Limited Edition (back)
Limited Edition New Who Collector's promo 1.jpg|New Who Limited Edition promo
Limited Edition New Who Collector's promo 2.jpg|New Who Limited Edition promo
</gallery>


{{DWTV}}
{{DWTV}}
[[Category:Doctor Who seasons|Season 33 1]]
[[es:Especiales de 2013]]
[[pt:Especiais de 2013]]
[[pt:Especiais de 2013]]
[[Category:Doctor Who seasons]]

Latest revision as of 10:40, 4 September 2024

RealWorld.png

The 50th Anniversary Specials were a number of stories released in 2013 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who. Like the 20th anniversary special, The Five Doctors [+]Loading...["The Five Doctors (TV story)"], these specials are not considered to be part of a numbered season.

The two main stories were The Day of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Day of the Doctor (TV story)"] and The Time of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Time of the Doctor (TV story)"], principally starring Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor and Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald.

Overview[[edit] | [edit source]]

The 50th Anniversary Specials followed on from the final moments of The Name of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Name of the Doctor (TV story)"], in which Clara Oswald discovered the Doctor's greatest secret, a previously unknown incarnation known as the War Doctor. Because of this narrative connection, The Name of the Doctor was subsequently included in the 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition box set.

The anniversary stories revolved around the War Doctor and the final events of the Last Great Time War. The Christmas special also followed on from Name by focusing on the Doctor's life on Trenzalore and resolving a great deal of conflicts and mysteries surrounding his lifetime, and the coming end of his life.

The specials featured a number of the Doctor's regenerations, specifically those of the Eighth, War, and Eleventh Doctors. As such, the regenerations of all but the Second Doctor have now been depicted on-screen.

During the specials, the regeneration cycle introduced in the 1976 serial The Deadly Assassin was addressed. Before the specials aired, discussions and rumours about the War Doctor's true nature made it unclear whether or not the Doctor had truly undergone just ten regenerations up to Matt Smith's incarnation.

Furthermore, the specials answered the long-standing fan speculation that had arisen since the events of the two-part Series 4 finale in 2008, The Stolen Earth [+]Loading...["The Stolen Earth (TV story)"] and Journey's End [+]Loading...["Journey's End (TV story)"], where the Tenth Doctor circumvented a regeneration and whether or not that had counted in the cycle.

The formal introduction of the War Doctor and the eventual depiction of his own regeneration into the Ninth Doctor meant the Doctor actually had regenerated more times than previously suggested. When the birth of the Meta-Crisis Tenth Doctor was also proven to have used up a regeneration, it signified all twelve regenerations in the cycle were exhausted. The Doctor was then bestowed a second regeneration cycle to bypass this limit.

The 2013 specials saw the end of Matt Smith's tenure as the Eleventh Doctor, and ended with his regeneration into the Twelfth, played by Peter Capaldi.

Celebrating the shows 50th anniversary, several of the specials also featured previous actors who had portrayed the Doctor. Paul McGann portrayed the Eighth Doctor on-screen for the first time since his initial portrayal in TV: Doctor Who [+]Loading...["Doctor Who (TV story)"], David Tennant returned as the Tenth Doctor, and all other former actors were seen through the use of archive footage. Tom Baker also returned but instead playing the role of the Curator, an enigmatic character who is a future incarnation of the Doctor. The War Doctor was also played by John Hurt.

Although Jenna Coleman returned as sole companion Clara Oswald, Billie Piper returned to the series, but portraying a representation of the Bad Wolf, rather than her regular character of companion Rose Tyler.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

and introducing Peter Capaldi as the Doctor

Recurring[[edit] | [edit source]]

Guest[[edit] | [edit source]]

Television stories[[edit] | [edit source]]

Special episodes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Episode
Number
Title Writer Director Notes
50th Anniversary The Day of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Day of the Doctor (TV story)"] Steven Moffat Nick Hurran First full appearance of the War Doctor. Guest appearances by the Tenth Doctor and Elizabeth I. Reintroduction of the Zygons. First appearance of the Twelfth Doctor, Petronella Osgood, the General, and the Curator. Regeneration of the War Doctor into the Ninth Doctor. Gallifrey saved from destruction.
Christmas The Time of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Time of the Doctor (TV story)"] Steven Moffat Jamie Payne Final regular appearance of the Eleventh Doctor. Origin of the Silence and fate of Gallifrey revealed. The Siege of Trenzalore is depicted. The Doctor's regeneration cycle is extended. Conclusion of the "Trenzalore" arc. Official debut of the Twelfth Doctor.

Mini-episodes[[edit] | [edit source]]

Title Writer Director Notes
The Night of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Night of the Doctor (TV story)"] Steven Moffat John Hayes Reintroduction of the Sisterhood of Karn. Guest appearance by the Eighth Doctor, and depicts his regeneration into the War Doctor.
The Last Day Jamie Stone The Doctors do not appear.
Cinema Intros: Strax & The Doctor Features Strax and the Doctors addressing the cinema audience.

Related specials[[edit] | [edit source]]

Alongside the continuation of Doctor Who itself, a number of specials were also made relating to the real world production of the Doctor Who universe.

Title Writer Director Notes
An Adventure in Space and Time Mark Gatiss Terry McDonough Docudrama of William Hartnell's tenure as The Doctor.
The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot Peter Davison Parody episode starring Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy.

Aliens and enemies[[edit] | [edit source]]

Adaptations and merchandising[[edit] | [edit source]]

Home media[[edit] | [edit source]]

DVD / Blu-ray[[edit] | [edit source]]

This section's awfully stubby.

This section need to have images added, showing the individual sets.

The Collector's edition also featured the Series 7 finale The Name of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Name of the Doctor (TV story)"].

Title Number and duration
of episodes
R2 release date R4 release date R1 release date
Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor
The Day of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Day of the Doctor (TV story)"]
The Night of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Night of the Doctor (TV story)"]
The Last Day [+]Loading...["The Last Day (TV story)"]
1 × 77 min.
1 × 8 min.
1 × 3 min.
2 December 2013 4 December 2013 10 December 2013
Doctor Who: An Adventure in Space and Time
An Adventure in Space and Time [+]Loading...["An Adventure in Space and Time (TV story)"]
1 × 90 min. 2 December 2013 4 December 2013 27 May 2014
Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor
The Time of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Time of the Doctor (TV story)"]
1 × 60 min. 20 January 2014 22 January 2014 4 March 2014
Doctor Who: 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition
The Name of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Name of the Doctor (TV story)"]
The Day of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Day of the Doctor (TV story)"]
The Night of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Night of the Doctor (TV story)"]
The Last Day [+]Loading...["The Last Day (TV story)"]
The Time of the Doctor [+]Loading...["The Time of the Doctor (TV story)"]
An Adventure in Space and Time [+]Loading...["An Adventure in Space and Time (TV story)"]
The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot [+]Loading...["The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot (TV story)","The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot"]
1 x 45 min.
1 × 77 min.
1 × 8 min.
1 × 3 min.
1 × 60 min.
1 × 90 min.
1 × 30 min.
8 September 2014 10 September 2014 TBA

The 50th Anniversary Specials released on 21 November 2023 in a limited edition Blu-ray box set containing every "New Who" series up to Series 13.[1]