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David Tennant and Catherine Tate Return To 'Doctor Who' For 60th Anniversary Special

Home / Stars / David Tennant and Catherine Tate Return To 'Doctor Who' For 60th Anniversary Special

By Kristin Myers on May 16, 2022 at 11:30 AM EDT

Actor David Tennant is heading back to the TARDIS... and he's not alone!

He and fan-favorite companion Donna Noble, played by Catherine Tate, will be returning to "Doctor Who."

The BBC sent out a press release earlier today to reveal that the two actors had filmed scenes for the "Doctor Who" 60th-anniversary special.

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David Tennant & Catherine Tate Are Returning To 'Doctor Who'

Veteran showrunner Russell T Davies will be at the helm for the new anniversary special, returning from a 12-year absence.

As reported by Deadline, David Tennant appeared as the 10th Doctor and took over after Chris Eccleston started up the series again in 2005. Davies was the showrunner from 2005 to 2010. It's not clear how the pair will fit into the next season, but their scenes will air sometime next year as the long-running science-fiction series turns 60.

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In a press release, Davies said, “It looks impossible – first, we announce a new Doctor, and then an old Doctor, along with the wonderful Donna, what on earth is happening? Maybe this is a missing story. Or a parallel world. Or a dream, or a trick, or a flashback. The only thing I can confirm is that it’s going to be spectacular, as two of our greatest stars reunite for the battle of a lifetime.”

If that wasn't enough good news for "Doctor Who" fans, the identity of the 14th Doctor was also announced exactly one week ago on Mother's Day.

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Ncuti Gatwa Says It's A 'True Honor' To Be The 14th Doctor

The new 14th Doctor, Mizero Ncuti Gatwa, is a 29-year-old Rwandan-Scottish actor who was born in Rwanda. He appeared as Eric Effiong on Netflix’s “Sex Education,” which earned him a BAFTA Scotland Award for Best Actor in Television and three BAFTA Television Award nominations for Best Male Comedy Performance.

In a press release shared by the BBC, Gatwa 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.”

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“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,” he continued.  “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.”

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Russell T. Davies, who will return as showrunner next season, 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.”

At Sunday’s BAFTA TV Awards, Russell T. Davies revealed that Gatwa's audition blew them away, saying, “It was the most blazing audition. It was our last audition. It was our very last one. We thought we had someone and then in he came and stole it.”

Gatwa will be replacing Jodie Whittaker, who was the first woman to play of the infamous Doctor.

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