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Doctor Who season 14 potential release date, cast, plot and everything you need to know

"Change is ahead..."

By David Opie

24 Oct 2022

Doctor Who spoilers follow.

Every time the Doctor regenerates, Doctor Who regenerates along with them, transforming into something new. But with the end of Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall's era comes a unique sense of familiarity thanks to the return of Russell T Davies, the TV legend who made Doctor Who popular again with his 2005 revival.

Anticipation for a new season has never been greater among the Whovian fandom, but what can we actually expect from the show moving forward? Hop in the nearest phone box and join us as we look ahead to what's coming in Doctor Who season 14.

Doctor Who season 14 potential release date: When will it air?

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Following Jodie Whittaker's final outing as the Thirteenth Doctor, and that highly-anticipated and very surprising regeneration, the BBC has confirmed precisely when we can expect new episodes – including our very first look at Ncuti Gatwa in action as the future Doctor.

Unfortunately, fans are going to be in for quite a lengthy wait.

Mark your calendars for November 2023, when the 60th anniversary specials – featuring fan favourites David Tennant and Catherine Tate – will arrive on screens.

Gatwa's first full episode as the Doctor will follow during the festive season in 2023.

Doctor Who season 14 cast: Who's in the new season?

doctor who star ncuti gatwa and showrunner russell t davies hug and smile at the baftas

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With the return of Russell T Davies as showrunner comes the arrival of a brand-new Doctor, as is traditional with a handover. Fans who expected the reveal to come in Jodie Whittaker's last adventure were shocked to learn on May 8, 2022, that Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa has already been confirmed as our brand-new Doctor.

"There aren't quite the words to describe how I'm feeling," Gatwa said of this historic moment. "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 utmost to do the same.

Doctor Who confirms Ncuti Gatwa is next Doctor

"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."

No one else has officially been announced yet for the new season 14 cast, although some of the fan picks for the Doctor themself could end up appearing in a different capacity. That includes someone we've already met before, Jo Martin, who could easily take centre stage as the Fugitive Doctor.

Digital Spy collated a few of our own picks for the Doctor just a short time ago, listing everyone from Michaela Coel and Michael Sheen to Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge. So who's to say they won't join the show in a different capacity?

Doctor Who boss talks keeping casting secret

One name that keeps popping up time and time again is Olly Alexander. Not only is he closely linked to Davies following It's a Sin, but during his time on that show, Olly even starred in a version of Doctor Who. It wouldn't be much of a stretch to make him a new companion or even give him a cheeky guest role.

Shortly before Ncuti's announcement, Mandip Gill hinted that Yaz could return to the show one day. While appearing on BBC's The One Show, the actress was asked if the centenary special will be Yaz's last outing, to which she replied:

"It will be mine. Well, not forever, because who knows in the world of Doctor Who? But [Yaz's story] definitely comes to an end in that episode, but not forever because who knows? See what I did there?" the actress remarked.

Doctor Who season 14 plot: What will happen?

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Even before Russell's return was announced, the BBC's Director of Drama Piers Wenger said (via Elliot Gonzalez), "As with any change of Doctor and showrunner, we'll be radical [...] Change is ahead."

However, few could have predicted that this change would involve the return of Doctor Who's most popular showrunner years after he first left the show. Speaking on this, Russell said:

"I'm beyond excited to be back on my favourite show. But we're time-travelling too fast, there's a whole series of Jodie Whittaker's brilliant Doctor for me to enjoy, with my friend and hero Chris Chibnall at the helm. I'm still a viewer for now."

Discussing his replacement, Chibnall said: "It's monumentally exciting and fitting that Doctor Who's 60th anniversary will see one of Britain's screenwriting diamonds return home. Russell built the baton that is about to be handed back to him.

It’s a Sin stars react to Doctor Who casting

"Doctor Who, the BBC, the screen industry in Wales, and let's be honest, everyone in the whole world have so many reasons to be Very Excited Indeed about what lies ahead."

However, fans did grow worried when it was announced that Bad Wolf would take over producing Doctor Who from BBC Studios, potentially causing a loss of £40 million for the BBC every ten episodes that are made. Crucially, The Times' report suggested that Bad Wolf would also take control of "creative direction", but the BBC has since pushed back on this, clarifying that they would continue to have commercial oversight.

"We're incredibly excited about the future of Doctor Who. BBC Studios is ultimately responsible for delivering the show and this production partnership is about long-term investment that will radically build on the already-huge success of the show and franchise worldwide," a BBC representative said.

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Let's hope this still allows Russell to put his stamp on the show, perhaps even bringing us more positive LGBTQ+ content than Doctor Who has ever seen before. The Flux finale hinted at queer love between Yaz and the Doctor, but hinting isn't really good enough. What's more, Jodie Whittaker's finale episode did very little to push this further forward.

It's about time that Doctor Who embraced the here and now with a queer Doctor in the lead.

And given all that, we wouldn't be surprised if Russell took this opportunity to make Ncuti's Doctor a queer one.

Doctor Who season 14 trailer: When can we see it?

Fans have now been given a sneak peek at what's to come next year, thanks to an exciting trailer.

It naturally offered a first-look at Ncuti Gatwa in action, with a short snippet showing the new Doctor passionately shouting the words: "Will someone tell me what the hell is going on here?"

It's also been confirmed by Russell T Davies that Ncuti will be the Fifteenth Doctor, following the regeneration which brought David Tennant back to the role (presumably as the Fourteenth).

"If you thought the appearance of David Tennant was a shock, we've got plenty more surprises on the way!" he said. "The path to Ncuti's Fifteenth Doctor is laden with mystery, horror, robots, puppets, danger, and fun!"

Doctor Who will return to the BBC in November 2023. In the US, the show airs on BBC America, with series 1-12 available on HBO Max.

For more information on Doctor Who: Time Fracture, head this way – tickets are also available via retailers including LOVEtheatre, London Theatre Direct, Fever and Ticketmaster.