Doctor Who star David Tennant reveals real reason behind return to role

It happened "by accident".

By George Lewis

11 Oct 2022

David Tennant has explained what saw him return to the role of The Doctor for Doctor Who's upcoming 60th anniversary special.

Speaking to BBC News, the actor, who played the Tenth Doctor, said the reunion happened "by accident".

During lockdown for COVID-19, Tennant took part in a series of online watchalongs along with former co-star, Catherine Tate, and showrunner, Russell T Davies, titled Doctor Who: Lockdown!

This led to informal talks between the trio about a potential reunion, and this eventually became a serious proposition.

david tennant, catherine tate, doctor who

Alistair HeapBBC

"That's where this all started," said Tennant. "At a certain time and day everyone would press play on a certain episode and some of the people who had been involved in those episodes were tweeting along."

"Me and Catherine would text, 'Wouldn't it be fun to do it again?' And Russell would say, 'We could do a one off, maybe they'd let us.'"

After it was announced in autumn 2021 that Davies would be returning as showrunner for the sci-fi series, Tennant then said he and Tate got the call to reprise their roles.

"Suddenly Russell let us know that he was taking over the show again and he would be back fully in charge and would we come and play a little bit for him?" he recalled.

catherine tate, david tennant, doctor who

BBC

"I don't know if we gave him the idea to take Doctor Who back but certainly we thought if he's doing it, we can't let these young people have all the fun."

Tennant, who was recently seen opposite Stanley Tucci in Inside Man, will return alongside companion Donna Noble (Tate) for the 60th anniversary special, which is due to air next year.

Ncuti Gatwa has also been cast as the next Doctor, succeeding Jodie Whittaker in the role.

Her final appearance as the Thirteenth Doctor will be in the BBC centenary special, 'The Power of the Doctor', which will air on October 23.

Doctor Who's next special premieres on October 23, 2022 on BBC One in the UK. In the US, the show airs on BBC America, with series 1-12 available on HBO Max. Classic Doctor Who streams exclusively on BritBox in the UK.