Doctor Who season 14 release date speculation, cast, news
Ncuti Gatwa previously promised "some extraordinary storylines for this season".
Important news, Whovians - even more directors for Doctor Who season 14 have been announced.
The season, helmed by returning showrunner Russell T Davies, appears to be coming together nicely, with new Doctor Ncuti Gatwa and companion Millie Gibson (Ruby Sunday) both being spotted on set and the TARDIS looking rather weathered (what on Earth has the Fourteenth Doctor done to it?!).
It's also been revealed that renowned director Julie Anne Robinson is joining the fold to direct Block Three of the new season.
It follows cast announcements, including EastEnders legend Anita Dobson, who revealed that she'll be playing Ruby's neighbour Mrs Flood.
Michelle Greenidge has also been confirmed to appear in the next season of Doctor Who, having previously collaborated with showrunner Russell T Davies on his acclaimed Channel 4 drama It's A Sin (in which she played Rosa Babatunde).
Aneurin Barnard will also be joining the gang, as politician Roger ap Gwilliam.
It seems there's no end to the exciting season 14 news either - following the new deal with Disney Plus, the BBC show will be using the same technology as Marvel, so we're expecting big things.
Filming officially began in December 2022, with Gatwa set to take over following the 60th anniversary specials, starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate.
So, when exactly can we expect season 14 of the popular sci-fi show? Read on for everything you need to know.
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Doctor Who season 14 release date speculation
Doctor Who season 14 is expected to premiere over the 2023 festive season.
Following the end of Jodie Whittaker’s reign as the Thirteenth Doctor, the BBC has confirmed when we can expect new episodes.
Unfortunately, it’s quite a long way off in the future.
The 60th-anniversary specials, featuring David Tennant and Catherine Tate, are set to arrive in November 2023.
Following that, Ncuti Gatwa’s first full episode as the new Doctor will air “over the festive season” in 2023.
It's as yet unclear if this means a New Year's Day instalment, or a Christmas Day episode, and only time will tell...
Who will star in the Doctor Who season 14 cast?
The following cast members have been confirmed for Doctor Who season 14.
- Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor
- Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday
- Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart
- Aneurin Barnard as Roger ap Gwilliam
- Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood
- Michelle Greenidge as TBC
- Jack Forsyth-Noble - Will
Our brand-new Doctor Who was unveiled back in May 2022 ahead of Jodie Whittaker’s last adventure in The Power of the Doctor, with Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa announced in the role.
Gatwa said at the time: “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."
He added: "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. 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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Meanwhile, returning showrunner Russell T Davies said: “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. I’m sure you’re dying to know more, but we’re rationing ourselves for now, with the wonderful Jodie’s epic finale yet to come. But I promise you, 2023 will be spectacular!”
Meanwhile, the other major casting is former Coronation Street star Millie Gibson in the role of new companion Ruby Sunday.
After being unveiled as the new companion during Children in Need 2022, Gibson said in a statement: "Whilst still being in total disbelief, I am beyond honoured to be cast as the Doctor’s companion.
"It is a gift of a role, and a dream come true, and I will do everything to try and fill the boots the fellow companions have travelled in before me. And what better way to do that than being by the fabulous Ncuti Gatwa’s side, I just can’t wait to get started."
On Gibson's casting, Gatwa said: "Millie just is the companion. She is full of talent, strength, she has a cheeky sparkle in her eye and is sharp as a razor.
"From the moment she walked into the room she captured all of our attention with her effervescence and then solidified that attention with the sheer torque of her talent.
"This adventure is going to be so wild and so fun, I cannot WAIT to sail the universe with Millie!"
Meanwhile, returning showrunner Russell T Davies revealed he had been a fan of Gibson's work on Coronation Street.
"It’s the great honour of my job to find the next generation of talent, and Millie shines like a star already," said Davies in a statement. "She’s brilliant, dynamic, clever and a wonderful actor. As a Coronation Street fan, I’ve seen Millie survive chases, guns and sieges, but that’s nothing compared to what lies ahead for Ruby Sunday."
Finally, the 60th-anniversary specials are set to reintroduce viewers to Donna Temple-Noble (Catherine Tate) and her family, while also introducing us to a new character named Rose, played by Heartstopper actress Yasmin Finney.
Could we be seeing them again too?
Doctor Who season 14 plot: What could happen?
Of course, little is known about the plot of the upcoming season, but we have had some clues.
The return of showrunner Russell T Davies, who made Doctor Who popular again with his 2005 revival, promises change is ahead.
Speaking in February 2022 about his shock return, he teased a "brand new ways of telling stories".
He said: "The truth of it is, everyone lies when they leave Doctor Who and says 'Oh, I've moved on! – I've been thinking about it since I was three, so there's no way you stop thinking about it."
"There are things coming up that are brand new ways of telling stories that have never been done before, so it just feels new – I wouldn't have gone back if it wasn't feeling new," he added.
He went on to explain that Doctor Who has a unique appeal to writers, as each week brings its own distinct premise and cast of characters.
"I'm sitting here now, 10 pages away from a climax thinking, 'God, I've never been in this territory before – this is strange and new and hopefully I'll learn something out of it," added Davies.
"The reason why I've worked on 34 programmes in my life is that I don't normally like continuing series. That's why It's A Sin came to an end and I just moved on."
He concluded: "I just like looking at a new set of challenges every time and another blank page, but Doctor Who is always a blank page."
What's more, to mark the BBC's recent deal with Disney that will allow streamer Disney Plus to become the home of Doctor Who outside the UK and Ireland, Gatwa took part in a Doctor Who Q&A shared on Twitter and revealed what his ideal storyline would look like.
"I cannot wait to put my stamp on the character," he said. He also reveals where he would like his Time Lord to travel, saying: "I would take my TARDIS to Africa, I would take my TARDIS to Nigeria."
Adding that the location would give the Doctor the chance to interact with African mythology, he said: "I would love for the Doctor to meet the Orisha, which were a set of gods in Nigerian mythology, and I think that he'd have a lovely old time," he says.
He also revealed that "there are some extraordinary storylines for this season".
Additionally, Gatwa has quizzed Gibson in a new video about her thoughts on Doctor Who and what it means to be a companion.
We can't wait!
Is there a trailer for Doctor Who season 14?
No, not yet, but we do have a teaser trailer for the 60th-anniversary specials for you to enjoy, which was released following the airing of The Power of the Doctor.
Crucially, the trailer concludes with a glimpse at Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor as he shouts: "Someone tell me what the hell is going on here!"
Gatwa may feature on Doctor Who at the end of the anniversary specials – and before season 14 kicks off – if the teaser is anything to go by. But only time will tell...
Read more:
- How will the Tenth Doctor and Donna Noble return to Doctor Who?
- David Tennant and Catherine Tate's return proves Doctor Who is still full of surprises
- Who is Ncuti Gatwa? Meet Sex Education star to front Doctor Who
- Who is Yasmin Finney? Meet Heartstopper star joining Doctor Who
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