Ncuti Gatwa's first official Doctor Who episode will air in "festive period" 2023
Three specials have also been confirmed to celebrate the show's 60th anniversary.
New details have emerged regarding the future of Doctor Who.
Following tonight's BBC centenary special, The Power of the Doctor, David Tennant and Catherine Tate will appear in three special episodes, set to air in November 2023 to mark the show's 60th anniversary.
Fans saw Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor regenerate into Tennant in tonight's episode, with this new incarnation officially being referred to as "the Fourteenth Doctor".
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Following the anniversary specials, Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa will then take control of the TARDIS as the Fifteenth Doctor, with his first episode airing "over the festive period" in 2023.
It's as yet unclear if this means a New Year's Day episode, or if Doctor Who will be returning to a Christmas Day slot.
"If you thought the appearance of David Tennant was a shock, we’ve got plenty more surprises on the way!" said returning showrunner Russell T Davies. "The path to Ncuti’s Fifteenth Doctor is laden with mystery, horror, robots, puppets, danger and fun!
"And how is it connected to the return of the wonderful Donna Noble (Catherine Tate)? How, what, why? We’re giving you a year to speculate, and then all hell lets loose!”
Viewers have already been treated to a first-look teaser for the 60th anniversary specials, which feature a fleeting glimpse of Gatwa – so could it be that he appears in the 60th specials, prior to his first "official" appearance? Only time will tell...
Read more about Doctor Who:
- Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill open to Doctor Who returns after exit
- Doctor Who brings back classic Doctors for centenary special
- Jodie Whittaker’s final words in Doctor Who were changed at last minute
- Doctor Who: The Power of the Doctor review – A satisfying finale to an erratic 4-year chapter
- Doctor Who revisits old companions in touching scene
- Doctor Who’s classic companions on their return: "It was a total joy"
Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer with episodes of the classic series also available on BritBox – you can sign up for a 7-day free trial here.
Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight.
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Authors
Morgan Jeffery is the Digital Editor for Radio Times, overseeing all editorial output across the brand's digital platforms. He was previously TV Editor at Digital Spy and has featured as a TV expert on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 5 Live and Sky Atlantic.
