Doctor Who 2023 specials spoilers follow.
Doctor Who director Tom Kingsley has addressed speculation that there will be secret cameos in the next 60th anniversary special.
Very little is known about this week’s episode, ‘Wild Blue Yonder’, aside from a very brief clip from Doctor Who Unleashed showing The Doctor engaging in a potentially deadly taste test in what could be a classic ‘base under siege’-style adventure.
Fans tend to speculate whenever Doctor Who is cagey, so there have been lots of theories about returning characters or monsters as part of the show’s anniversary.
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However, ‘Wild Blue Yonder’ director Tom Kingsley has clarified that the production team’s secrecy around the episode is much more about the story they wanted to tell.
“I had the massive honour of directing a new episode of Doctor Who, with the dream team of Tennant, Tate and RTD. ‘Wild Blue Yonder’ is out on Saturday, it’s weird and exciting, and the plot is a TOTAL SECRET. I can’t wait to see what happens in it,” Kingsley wrote on Twitter / X.
“Fan PSA: the story of Wild Blue Yonder isn’t a secret because there are any surprise returning actors or villains. It’s just because we thought you might find it fun to watch it without knowing what’s going to happen next. Promise!”
But fans weren’t ready to give up their theories just yet, leading one to question whether Kingsley was specifically ruling out returning characters.
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“I can guarantee that David Tennant and Catherine Tate will both return in this episode,” the director replied.
There are certainly still characters who have been announced but not yet seen, including Jemma Redgrave reprising her role as UNIT boss Kate Stewart and the late Bernard Cribbins as Wilfred Mott.
Neil Patrick Harris hasn’t appeared yet either, though we already know he’s playing a new incarnation of the classic series villain the Toymaker.
Doctor Who returns for three 60th anniversary specials, continuing with ‘Wild Blue Yonder’ on December 2. The show airs on BBC One in the UK and Disney+ elsewhere.
Classic episodes of Doctor Who are now made available via BBC iPlayer in the UK as well.
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