Russell T Davies teases ideas on how David Tennant is able return to Doctor Who

Virgin Radio

23 Jun 2022, 13:57

We’re still so shocked over the fact David Tennant is making his big return to Doctor Who that we haven't even considered how it would be possible. 

But now, showrunner Russell T Davies has hinted at how he’s able to bring back the tenth incarnation of the time traveller, alongside Catherine Tate’s Donna Noble, for the show’s 60th anniversary.

Writing for June’s Doctor Who Magazine, Russell seemingly had loads of fun mulling around ideas to get fans scratching their heads over what the reason might be for bringing back the beloved version of the Time Lord. 

He wrote: “A mysteriously forgotten excursion for the TARDIS in between Planet of the Ood and Sontaran Stratagem? Or maybe a multiverse thing, they’re all the rage these days. Maybe this is the Doctor and Donna from Universe 557, all set to collide with our own.

"Then again, maybe, just maybe, this return is so impossible that it’s actually an intricate illusion created by an old enemy of the Doctor’s. Or maybe an old enemy of Donna’s. Nerys!

"Of course, I wouldn’t give that away in the pages of DWM, would I? But then again. This magazine is the first place I ever revealed the name of Billie Piper’s Rose (in issue 340). So read carefully. There are truths in here."

Such a tease!

Tennant, who was the Time Lord between 2005-2010, is currently filming alongside Tate ahead of the show’s anniversary in 2023. The duo’s reappearance is sure to be popular with fans, as their 2008 series averaged a whopping audience of over eight million viewers per episode.

Not too much is known about what exact shape their return will take, but it will represent a reunion with writer Russell, who was in charge of the show back when they were involved before. Davies also left in 2010, but is now at the helm once again.

Sharing the news on Instagram, Russell dropped some very similar hints, and shared: “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?”

He added: “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.”

It was recently confirmed that the new Doctor will be Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa. He will replace Jodie Whittaker, who will leave the show later this year, along with showrunner Chris Chibnall.