Doctor Who, a show that is constantly in flux, is preparing to change once again with the Doctor Who Centenary Special coming this fall. The special, celebrating the BBC’s hundredth birthday, also happens to be the last big outing for Jodie Whittaker as The Doctor, creating a hole that needs to be filled on and off camera. As we know, Russell T. Davies has already taken over the reins as showrunner from Chris Chibnall and is hard at work on a collection of specials for Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary. These are expected to air throughout 2023.
Not only is the show in good hands with the return of RTD, the man who revived Doctor Who in 2005, but fans are in for a treat as the next Doctors have already been announced. Yes, you heard that right, I said Doctors, with Ncuti Gatwa cast as the Fourteenth Doctor and a return of David Tennant for the 60th-anniversary specials. But he won’t be alone because Catherine Tate will also return as fan-favorite Donna Noble! But will she be the Doctor Donna once again?
While all of this is exciting, a new set of rumors hint that there may be more familiar faces and some familiar clothing returning for the Doctor Who Centenary Special.
[Warning: Potential spoilers about the Doctor Who Centenary Special are below!]
The Doctor Who Centenary rumor mill
According to a rumor originating from The Mirror, it seems that there are a ton of surprises and callbacks from Doctor Who’s past that are set to appear in the Centenary Special. However, before we share the rumor, please remember to take it with a grain of salt until it’s confirmed by the BBC or those in charge of Doctor Who.
Now without further ado, here’s what was reported:
“Jodie Whittaker’s big Doctor Who finale will see her don a mash-up of the iconic costumes worn by many of her Time Lord predecessors. And it will also see a comeback for Bradley Walsh as former companion Graham O’Brien, who returns to help her meet up with old friends and battle her oldest foes. Whittaker’s feature-length swansong as the 13th Doctor is timed to be part of the BBC’s huge centenary celebrations in October.
Eagle-eyed viewers will be pleased to spot her wearing many items worn in the TARDIS over the past six decades. They include the striped scarf belonging to the fourth Doctor Tom Baker from the 70s, the bizarre celery sprig sported by Doctor number five Peter Davidson in the early 80s plus the checked trousers favoured by Patrick Troughton as the second Doctor in 1963.
Also on display will be the question mark jumper worn by Sylvester McCoy as the seventh Doctor in the late 80s and tenth Doctor David Tennant’s brown and blue tie from his stint which ended in 2010.
One source said: “Getting Jodie – and some others – to wear some of the best-loved items from the Doctors’ wardrobes over the decades, seems a fitting and perfect way to mark the BBC’s 100-year anniversary.”
In the plot of the BBC1 special Whittaker’s Doctor is joined by Walsh as former companion Graham – last seen two years ago – makes a surprise return and organizes a gathering of some old pals. A host of cameo appearances by those who played former friends and companions are understood to have been recorded in secret – so far, the BBC has revealed that 80s companions Tegan and Ace – played by Janet Fielding and Sophie Aldred – will be among them.” – via The Mirror
Breaking down Doctor Who Centenary rumors
This new set of rumors gives quite a bit of information for fans to be excited about, so let’s break it down. From the sound of it, many faces from the Doctor’s past are returning for this celebratory episode. That bit of information lines up with what we already know.
As seen in the trailer for the Centenary Special, Ace (Sophie Aldred) and Tegan (Janet Fielding) are set to reprise their roles from classic Who. So it makes a lot of sense that we could and would see other faces from the sixty years of Doctor Who.
Interestingly, the rumor specifically name-dropped Bradley Walsh as Graham as one of the characters returning. While I was hoping for plenty of other former companions to return to the show, the thought of Graham returning never crossed my mind. However, it makes sense, with ties to both Whittaker’s Doctor as well as Yaz (Mandip Gill) who both joined The Doctor at the same time.
I hope this means that we’ll see the return of Rose (Billie Piper) and Clara (Jeanna-Louise Coleman), two of my favorite companions. What isn’t disclosed is what would bring all these familiar faces back, however it must be quite a large threat for Graham to assemble a team of former companions.
The rumor also indicates that many aspects from past incarnations of Doctor’s wardrobes will be incorporated into the special. It names specifically parts from the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Doctor being worn by Whittaker, with appearances of the Seventh and Tenth Doctor’s costumes. Hopefully, that means a return of the fez because fezes are cool.
No matter what expect surprises to delight fans
Up until now, information about the Doctor Who Centenary Special has been incredibly sparse. Hopefully, over the next couple of weeks as it gets closer, we’ll get more confirmed information about what to expect as fans say goodbye to Jodie Whittaker and her fam.
Regardless, I think it’s safe to say that fans and audiences around the world can expect big surprises and an exciting adventure when the Doctor Who Centenary Special finally arrives this October.
So what are your thoughts on these new rumors? If true, who are you hoping to see return to Doctor Who from classic Who and NuWho for this amazing celebration? And what Doctor fashion staples are you hoping to see Whittaker wear once again and why is it the 3D glasses from Tennant’s era? Let us know your thoughts over on Twitter.
And if you haven’t already, check out our review of the last Doctor Who adventure, Legend of the Sea Devils!
Review: Doctor Who: Legend of the Sea Devils
Source: The Mirror
