David Tennant and Catherine Tate to return for Doctor Who specials in 2023

BBC announced just one week ago that Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa would be taking the reins of the Tardis as the new Doctor Who. But, it turns out that before the Doc regenerates, we’re going to see a little more of some old favourites. Beloved Doctor Who vets David Tennant and Catherine Tate are set to return to the show for some special programming in 2023 before Gatwa takes on the part. How is this possible if the Doctor regenerated several times since Tennant last took the role? As Russell T. Davies himself said in a post on the BBC’s official Doctor Who page:

“They’re back! And it looks impossible – first, we announce a new Doctor, and then an old Doctor, along with the wonderful Donna, what on earth is happening? Maybe this is a missing story. Or a parallel world. Or a dream, or a trick, or a flashback. The only thing I can confirm is that it’s going to be spectacular, as two of our greatest stars reunite for the battle of a lifetime.”

When we last left the pair, Tennant, as the tenth Doctor, was forced to wipe his companion Donna’s (played by Tate) memory to save her life. Tennant and Tate have reunited before, reprising their roles in a series of audio dramas. Their return coincides with Davies’ return to the show for the first time since 2010. Since then, he’s become one of the most in-demand showrunners in the UK, with his limited series A Very English Scandal, Years and Years, and It’s a Sin critically beloved, star-studded favourites. Davies must have something very special cooked up for the pair.

My own Doctor Who knowledge pretty much ends way back in the days of Tom Baker re-runs on PBS, but I must admit that the show’s rabid fanbase intrigued me, as does the involvement of Davies. Is this show worth a marathon binge? And where does one start? Have your say in the comments!