Season 1 (Doctor Who 2023)
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60tSeries 14 was a series of Doctor Who produced by BBC in collaboration with Bad Wolf,[1] which had been acquired by Sony.[2][3] It entered a new era of the programme as former showrunner and executive producer Russell T Davies made his return to the role he effectively started.[4] Davies' original era began with the series revival in 2005 and ended in 2010 with the Tenth Doctor's regeneration in The End of Time, thirteen years before this series.
Overview
Early announcements
In May 2017, it was announced that due to the terms of a deal between BBC Worldwide and SMG Pictures in China, the company has first right of refusal on the purchase for the Chinese market of past and future series and spin-offs of the programme.[5][6]
In October 2019, it was revealed that due to the show heading to HBO Max, the network had struck a deal for additional series of the programme.[7]
Return of a showrunner
On 29 July 2021, following the announcement of Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall's departure, the BBC noted, "We will announce plans for the new generation of Doctor Who in due course – watch this space!"[8]
The new series and Davies' return were first teased by Piers Wenger when he said an upcoming change for Doctor Who would be "radical" on 25 August.[9]
It was noted in a big reveal by the BBC on 24 September 2021 that Russell T Davies would make his return in the 60th anniversary in 2023 and remain as head writer in "series beyond".[4]
Davies first hinted at this reveal earlier that same day, telling his Instagram followers to watch for "News incoming 3.15pm", in a post which featured artwork of his forehead in front of Gallifrey.[10] Like the preceding series 13[11] the series was announced as happening before the previous series had even begun broadcasting.
Commenting on his return, Davies said:
I'm beyond excited to be back on my favourite show. But we're time-travelling too fast, there's a whole series of Jodie Whittaker's brilliant Doctor for me to enjoy, with my friend and hero Chris Chibnall at the helm — I'm still a viewer for now.
Chibnall himself added:
It's monumentally exciting and fitting that Doctor Who's 60th anniversary will see one of Britain's screenwriting diamonds return home. Russell built the baton that is about to be handed back to him. Doctor Who, the BBC, the screen industry in Wales — and let's be honest everyone in the whole world — have so many reasons to be Very Excited Indeed about what lies ahead.
Speaking at a press event on 11 October, Wenger said of the decision for Davies to return:[12]
I almost think that I don't need to answer that question. I think bringing back Russell for Doctor Who was one of the least painful decisions I've ever had to make. How will he evolve that show? I mean, he is a man with a vision, for sure. But, you know, we are way off filming. We've got a new series starting at the end of the month, and a whole year of Jodie [Whittaker] to go yet. And lots of adventures ahead for her. And so I think it's just a bit early to say what his vision will be, but it was a very exciting opportunity for the BBC to bring him back.
Speaking at a Q&A at the Oxford Union on 10 December, Steven Moffat said he knew about RTD's future plans for the show, saying:
I’m really curious to see what Russell’s second go-around is like, what he does now. Because being the restless man he is, it won’t be the same as the first time. Don’t think you know what you’re going to get. You don’t. And I know a little bit because we chatted. He wouldn’t be doing this unless he could scare the living shit out of you. So, it will be great.
Speaking to Radio Times on 14 February 2022, while talking about his show "It’s A Sin", Davies said:
The truth of it is that everyone lies when they leave Doctor Who and says they've moved on. I mean, I've been thinking about it since I was three, so there's no way you stop thinking about it. The reason I've worked on 34 programmes in my life is because I don't normally like continuing series. That's why It's A Sin came to an end and I just moved on. I like looking at a new set of challenges every time and a blank page – but Doctor Who is always a blank page. There are things coming up that are brand new ways of telling the stories that have never been done before, so it just feels new. I wouldn't go back if it wasn't feeling new. But that's the thing about Doctor Who – every episode is new. Every single episode. I'm sitting here now, 10 pages away from a climax thinking, 'God, I've never written in this territory before – this is strange and new' – so it's always new. It's a self-renewing show.
Speaking to Doctor Who Magazine issue 577 on 28 April, Chris Chibnall revealed that he only knew about Davies’ return to the show 36 hours before the fans, having been told by Piers Wenger and Charlotte Moore, but made it clear that he "had a suspicion".[13]
Promotion
The very first bit of promotion for this series came on 24 September 2021 with the reveal that Russell T Davies would be leading the show from the 60th anniversary and into "series beyond".[4]
On 22 December, Davies told The Guardian that he had already written a couple of his episodes for the new era, and confirmed that his first episode would indeed go out in November 2023, on the 60th Anniversary.[14]
On 3 March 2022, Matt Strevens told Doctor Who Magazine issue 575 that he was very excited for the Davies’ and Bad Wolf's plans for the show, saying "It meant a lot to Jodie [Whittaker] to know that she would regenerate – it’s lovely to pass that on.".[15]
On 14 March a group of "Year 10"'s and "Year 11"'s on a "Junior Apprenticeship" programme at "Cardiff and Vale College" got via "Screen Alliance Wales" to visit Wolf Studios to speak to crew, a sign that Series 14 preparations are well in creation.[16]
On 4 April, Head of Drama at Bad Wolf Jane Tranter told Variety that production on the series would begin "later this year".[17]
On 17 April it was revealed by BBC entertainment correspondent Lizo Mzimba in a BBC News article that the Jodie Whittaker's successor as the Doctor was "expected to be revealed in the coming weeks".[18]
On 8 May, Ncuti Gatwa teased on Instagram with a post containing two hearts and a blue box,[19] and shortly after, it was officially announced by the BBC that Ncuti would take on the role of the Doctor.[20] Speaking on it, Ncuti said:
There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling. A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared. This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care. I will endeavour my upmost to do the same. Russell T Davies is almost as iconic as the Doctor himself and being able to work with him is a dream come true. His writing is dynamic, exciting, incredibly intelligent and fizzing with danger. An actor’s metaphorical playground. The entire team have been so welcoming and truly give their hearts to the show. And so as much as it’s daunting, I’m aware I’m joining a really supportive family. Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart but I am giving it all to this show.
Showrunnner Davies added:
The future is here and it’s Ncuti! Sometimes talent walks through the door and it’s so bright and bold and brilliant, I just stand back in awe and thank my lucky stars. Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds. It’s an honour to work with him, and a hoot, I can’t wait to get started. I’m sure you’re dying to know more, but we’re rationing ourselves for now, with the wonderful Jodie’s epic finale yet to come. But I promise you, 2023 will be spectacular!
Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore further added:
Ncuti has an incredible dynamism, he’s a striking and fearless young actor whose talent and energy will set the world alight and take Doctor Who on extraordinary adventures under Russell T Davies’ new era.
On 15 May, the official Doctor Who accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook teased with a post containing two hearts and a blue diamond,[21] and shortly after, it was officially announced by the BBC that David Tennant and Catherine Tate would return to their roles of the Tenth Doctor and Donna Noble.[22]
On 16 May, Yasmin Finney teased on Instagram with a post containing a rose and a blue diamond,[23] and shortly after, it was officially announced by the BBC that Yasmin would take on the new character, Rose.[24]
On 17 May, Rachel Talalay posted two hearts, a blue diamond and a clapboard, announcing her return for the 60th Anniversary.[25]
On 26 May, Russell T Davies spoke to Doctor Who Magazine, issue 578, about his plans around the reveal of the new Doctor actor Ncuti Gatwa, and their follow-up appearance at the BAFTA-awards show.[26]
On 13 June, Davies teased on Instagram with two hearts and a gem emoji,[27] and shortly after the BBC announced that Neil Patrick Harris would take on the role of a powerful villain.[28]
On 23 June Davies spoke to Doctor Who Magazine issue 579 about the upcoming specials, teasing possibilites to how the Tenth Doctor and Donna Temple-Noble could possibly end up back together, also noting that fans might see some familiar, but new, villains.[29][30] Davies also said that his return came about around Christmas 2020 and that Doctor Who: Lockdown! played a role in that.[31]
Speaking at the London Trans+ Pride on 9 July, transgender actress Yasmin Finney confirmed that her character Rose would be transgender as well, also calling out former prime minister Boris Johnson at the same time for bigotry.[32]
On 28 July, Finney said "I get to open doors" in a speech after accepting the Attitude Magazine Pride Icon Award during the magazine’s annual Pride award show.[33]
In an interview with Variety on 30 July, Neil Patrick Harris teased that the new Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, would be "the first gay Doctor".[34]
On 14 August, speaking at Fan Expo Boston, Tennant spoke about the 60th anniversary specials, saying that "most of what’s been filmed with other people has all been inside. So, there is lots more coming than people think, which is very exciting.".[35]
On 8 September, in a video interview with Queerpiphany, Yasmin Finney revealed some information about her character Rose, saying she was a 15-year-old transgender woman with a "great supportive family" and said her character in Doctor Who was very similar to her character from another show she was in, Heartstopper.[36]
Broadcast
to be added
Cast
- The Doctor - Ncuti Gatwa[20]
Recurring
To be added
Guest
- Tenth Doctor - David Tennant[22]
- Donna Noble - Catherine Tate[22]
- Rose - Yasmin Finney[24]
- Wilfred Mott - Bernard Cribbins[37]
- Sylvia Noble - Jacqueline King[38]
- Shaun Temple - Karl Collins[38]
- TBA - Neil Patrick Harris[28]
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Production
As 2023 marked the return of Russell T Davies as showrunner, it also marked a change in Studio-location, with the new studio, Wolf Studios, taking over from Roath Lock Studios as the company for in-house filming.[39] This change came about as the company Bad Wolf was set to co-produce along with the BBC going forward.[40]
Bad Wolf had further filed for a new subsidiary company, also run by Julie Gardner, called Whoniverse1 LTD.[41]
On 5 May, the BBC spoke to TV Zone UK about the move from Roath Lock Studios to Wolf Studios, hoping that there would be a continued flow of production business.[42]
Crew
Producers
Russell T Davies made his "explosive return" to Doctor Who in the 60th anniversary and "series beyond".[4]
Phil Collinson also returned to the show as producer.[43]
Director
- 60th Specials
Rachel Talalay directed the 1st 60th Anniversary Special[37] along with director of photography Matt Gray.[44]
Tom Kingsley directed the 2nd 60th Anniversary Special along with DOP Nick Dance.[45]
Chanya Button directed the 3rd 60th Anniversary Special along with DOP Mika Orasmaa.[46]
- Series 14
To be added
Writers
Russell T Davies wrote the 60th Anniversary specials.[14]
Pre-production
On 19 January 2022, according to block producer Vicki Delow's CV, it stated that Series 14 was "currently in production”.[47]
On 4 April, Jane Tranter stated in an interview with Variety that production would begin "later this year [2022]".[17]
On 12 August, The Hollywood Reporter stated that Series 14 would begin filming in November.[48]
Filming
Filming began for the 60th Anniversary Specials in Wolf Studios, Wales on 3 May 2022 (with likely continuation for a few days).[49]
Public filming began in front of the Cyberdog facility in Camden Market, Camden Town, Camden, London on 16 and 17 May[37] and continued on 18 May and concluded with a nightshoot in the early morning hours of the following day.[50]
Filming continued in the Gold Car Park at Lakeside Way near the Wembley Stadium in Wembley Park, Wembley, London on 19 and 20 May.[38]
Filming took place at the Uskmouth Power Station in Newport, Wales on 25, 26 and 27 May.[51][52] Filming picked up again on 30, 31 May and 1 June.[53]
Filming moved to Axminster Road, Cardiff on 3 June.[54] Filming picked up again on 6 June and continued through 7, 8 and 9 June.[55][56] Filming also took place at the nearby The Sandies park on 9 June.[57]
Filming continued in Old City, St Stephens Street, Broad Street, Clare Street, Baldwin Street, Marsh Street and Corn Street in Bristol, England on 15 and 16 June.[58][59][60][61]
Filming went back to Wolf Studios, Wales on 27 June and continued on 28, 29 and 30 June and 1 July.[62][63][64]
Filming for the 60th Anniversary Specials ended on 25 July.[65]
Television stories
Anniversary specials
| Episode Number |
Title | Writer | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TBA | Russell T Davies[14] | Rachel Talalay[37] | 60th anniversary special[4] The Tenth Doctor, Donna Noble,[22] Wilfred Mott,[37] Sylvia Noble, Shaun Temple and UNIT return.[38] |
| 2 | TBA | TBA | Tom Kingsley[45] | 60th anniversary special[4] |
| 3 | TBA | TBA | Chanya Button[46] | 60th anniversary special[4] |
Regular series
To be added
Episode notes
- The large gap between the broadcast of the Centenary Special (Series 13), released in October 2022, and the broadcast of the 60th Anniversary Special, released in November 2023, marks the second time since the tradition began, that a Winter Special has been omitted.
- The first time this happened was when the Series 12 opener Spyfall: Part One was broadcast on New Year's Day 2020 instead.
Aliens and enemies
Rumours
- Billie Piper expressed a willingness to return as Rose Tyler at some point "if the circumstances and the story were right”.[67]
- Matt Smith expressed a willingness to return as the Eleventh Doctor at some point "if the timing was right, and after giving Jodie Whittaker a chance. I think we've got to give a few years to Miss Whittaker to get the TARDIS under her belt, as it were, and then yeah — one day". [68]
- Davies' new era could bring back the Christmas Special.[69][70]
- Joel Collins is executive producer on the show.[71]
- Paul McGann could return for the 60th Anniversary.[72]
- Neil Patrick Harris could be portraying the Celestial Toymaker.[73]
- The new TARDIS interior could be wheelchair friendly.[74]
- Ruth Madeley could be joining the cast.[74]
Adaptations and merchandising
to be added
Stories set during the season
to be added
