David Tennant and Catherine Tate will star in Doctor Who for three specials next year.

Last night we witnessed Jodie Whittaker’s final episode as the Thirteenth Doctor regenerated. None other than David Tennant who appeared as the Fourteenth Doctor with the BBC teasing: “What has led to the return of a much loved face?”
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Actor David Tennant and Catherine Tate will reprise their roles as the Doctor and Donna Noble for the 60th anniversary.

They will appear in three special episodes, set to air in November 2023. The next Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, will then take control of the TARDIS, with his first episode airing over the festive period in 2023.

Returning showrunner Russell T Davies said: “If you thought the appearance of David Tennant was a shock, we’ve got plenty more surprises on the way!

“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? How, what, why? We’re giving you a year to speculate, and then all hell lets loose!”

A teaser for the upcoming specials read: “The Doctor and Donna parted ways when the Doctor had to wipe Donna’s memory, making her forget him, in order to save her life.

“He left her family with a warning: if ever she remembers, she will die. But with the two coming face to face once more, the big question is, just what brings the Doctor and Donna back together?

“In his last ever episode, David’s critically acclaimed portrayal of the Doctor famously said “I don’t want to go…” Well it seems he – and fans across the globe – have got what they wanted as the iconic duo are on their way back…”

It was confirmed earlier this year that Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa is to become the new Doctor.

Ncuti said: “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 utmost to do the same.”

Doctor Who: David Tennant’s clothes spark confusion in regeneration scene

Doctor Who fans have voiced their confusion after Jodie Whittaker regenerated into David Tennant but in different clothes.

The Power Of The Doctor episode revealed Tennant’s return to the BBC sci-fi drama, confirming that he will reprise the titular role ahead of Ncuti Gatwa, who will now be the 15th Time Lord.

Traditionally, the Doctor’s clothes stay the same during regeneration and fans should have seen the returning character dressed in Whittaker’s outfit.

However, Tennant was seen coming out of his TARDIS dressed in a suit and black overcoat – a far cry from Whittaker’s blue t-shirt and cagoule.

Unsurprisingly, the move didn’t go unnoticed by eagle-eyed fans who were armed with a bucketload of questions.

One wrote: ‘I have been wondering though. How did the Doctor regenerate their clothes? Normally just the body regenerates.’

‘It’s either the way regenerations are going to go now, or, something has gone wrong. Money on the latter!’

Tennant first stepped into the Tardis in 2005 to play the 10th Doctor.

It was previously announced that he would be returning to the sci-fi series for the show’s 60th-anniversary celebrations, although it wasn’t revealed in what capacity.

Following Sunday’s 90-minute special, the BBC confirmed Tennant will become the 14th incarnation with Catherine Tate reprising her role as his former companion Donna Noble for three special episodes set to air in November 2023.

Gatwa will then take control of the Tardis as the 15th Doctor, with his first episode due to air over the festive period in 2023.

Talking about the future, returning showrunner Russell T Davies, said: ‘If you thought the appearance of David Tennant was a shock, we’ve got plenty more surprises on the way.

‘The path to Ncuti’s 15th Doctor is laden with mystery, horror, robots, puppets, danger, and fun.

‘And how is it connected to the return of the wonderful Donna Noble? How, what, why? We’re giving you a year to speculate, and then all hell lets loose.’

Whittaker’s last foray as the Doctor was loaded with drama as it saw her fight for her existence against some of her deadliest enemies: The Master, the Daleks and the Cybermen.

The episode, titled The Power Of The Doctor, also saw the surprise return of actors who have played Time Lords from the ages including Colin Baker, Peter Davison, Paul McGann and Sylvester McCoy.

It opened with the Doctor thrown straight into the action alongside companions Yasmin Khan, played by Mandip Gill, and John Bishop’s Dan Lewis, after being called to help out a spaceship that was being attacked by Cybermen.

Whittaker, 40, became the first woman to portray the Doctor when she took over the role from Peter Capaldi in 2017.