Summary

David Tennant returns as The Doctor for three 60th Anniversary specials, streaming on Disney+ for viewers outside the UK and Ireland. The specials are speculated to air on November 11th, 18th, and 25th, with the finale coinciding with the show’s anniversary in November. The Doctor Who marathon on November 4th hints at the release dates of the specials and will feature episodes with David Tennant and Catherine Tate, who will also appear in the Anniversary specials.

After the exhilarating culmination of the BBC’s centenary Doctor Who special titled “Power of the Doctor,” fans have been abuzz with anticipation. David Tennant, a fan favorite, is returning to take the helm of the TARDIS for three episodes celebrating the 60th Anniversary. And if that wasn’t exciting enough, the torch will subsequently be passed to Ncuti Gatwa of Barbie and Sex Education fame as he gears up to helm the 14th season.

Tennant’s return coincides with three 60th Anniversary specials: “The Star Beast,” “Wild Blue Yonder,” and “The Giggle.” Intriguingly, these specials mark a pioneering venture where Doctor Who episodes will be streamed on Disney+ for viewers outside the UK and Ireland. However, the show will maintain its home base, airing on BBC One and the Player in its original territories.

And here’s the big question that has set the fandom alight: When will the specials air? An official statement from the Doctor Who X account (formerly known as Twitter) might hold the key to this riddle. The BBC has grand plans for a 14-hour marathon, a watch-along event showcasing episodes that spotlighted the iconic duo of David Tennant’s 10th Doctor and Catherine Tate’s Donna Noble. This event is all the more significant as these two will once again grace the screen for the Anniversary specials, set to premiere in November.

On November 4th, starting at 9:45 a.m. UK time, an event unfolds that’s beyond a typical marathon. It could very well hint at the release dates of the specials. As Doctor Who traditionally aired on Saturday nights on BBC One, and with Russell T. Davis returning to the helm, it’s widely speculated that the show will revert to its Saturday time slot. Given this and the timeline of the watch-along, it’s a good bet that the specials might air on November 11th, 18th, and 25th. This trajectory implies the grand finale of the trilogy could coincide with the week marking the show’s inception back in 1963.

RELATED: Doctor Who Theories That Could Explain David Tennant’s Return

Whoniverse Expands: Episode Launches, New Doctors, and Behind-the-Scenes Insights
BBC

The anticipated episode “The Star Beast” is slated to premiere on November 11. Following that, “Wild Blue Yonder” is set to air on November 18. Concluding the trio, “The Giggle” is expected to be broadcasted on November 25. Past patterns suggest episodes premiering between 6 pm and 8 pm on BBC One, subsequently gracing the BBC iPlayer. As for Disney+ subscribers outside the UK, they can expect to access the specials shortly after the UK broadcast.

Supplementing this lineup is Doctor Who: Unleashed, a dive into the production nuances, hosted by Steffan Powell. The horizon also whispers of an expansion, possibly with a UNIT spin-off featuring Jemma Redgrave’s character, Kate Stewart. Regardless of the lingering mysteries, it’s evident that The Doctor’s story will continue to grow, gracing screens via BBC One, iPlayer, and Disney+ across the globe.