David Tennant talks Ncuti Gatwa as Doctor Who: “God, he’s good casting”

The Doctor Who universe (also known as the Whoniverse) is as popular today as it’s ever been in its 60 years on our screens. Later this month, David Tennant — who played the Tenth Doctor in the 2000s — will make his triumphant return to the show for its 60th anniversary specials, alongside his fan favorite co-star Catherine Tate (Donna Noble). Moreover, the BBC has recently commemorated 60 years of programming by dropping every single classic Doctor Who episode on BBC iPlayer.

The future of the Whoniverse is in safe hands. With beloved showrunner Russell T. Davies back at the helm for at least two more seasons and Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa starring as the new Time Lord alongside companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), these are exciting times indeed. David Tennant is certainly impressed with the little he’s seen so far. “I have managed to admire, from afar, a little bit of Ncuti,” he told SFX Magazine.

Turns out, Tennant couldn’t contain his excitement, so he snuck onto the set and catch a glimpse of Gatwa in action as the Fifteenth Doctor. “I’ve been sneaky,” he said. “I’ve been sniffing around the studios today, and I may have crept on set at one point. God, he’s good casting. It’s very exciting to think about what’s gonna happen to the show when he takes over.”

But before any of that, Tennant will return as the Fourteenth Doctor. The trio of 60th anniversary specials boasts a stellar cast. Besides Tennant and Tate, we’ll also see Neil Patrick Harris star as the Toymaker, as well as British icon Miriam Margolyes as the adorable Beep the Meep.

Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor Who era is known as “season one”

Doctor Who has aired hundreds and hundreds of episodes since its inception in the 1960s. In that time, it’s undergone one main revival in 2005, thanks to Russell T. Davies. And now, with the series getting a bigger budget and landing on Disney+, it’s time for a brand new era. “Next year, season one. Yes, we’re calling it season one,” Davies revealed to Screen Rant.

This is probably a sensible idea, and it opens up the Whoniverse to a whole new generation of viewers. “Season one” sounds a lot less daunting to newcomers than season 14, right?

The 60th anniversary specials of Doctor Who begin on November 25 on BBC One in Britain and on Disney+ for international viewers. Big things are on the horizon!

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