What a year it’s been for Whovians, and new episodes haven’t even aired yet.
Earlier this year when Russell T. Davies—returning showrunner to Doctor Who—said “all hell lets loose” when discussing what was to come, he was not kidding. Since then, we’ve gotten trailers for the upcoming 60th anniversary specials which will stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on Disney+ globally beginning Nov. 25. Confirmation that up to 800 episodes of Doctor Who and its various spinoffs will join to form a massive catalog on iPlayer for UK residents for ease of availability, and an official crossover between Doctor Who and Magic the Gathering with absolutely stunning card art.
Not to mention all the various new books being published for the 60th, as well as the constant work being put out by the good people over at Big Finish. In short, Doctor Who fans have been swimming in gold lately and I’m sure I’m forgetting something else that’s been announced.
However, yesterday we got one of the biggest announcements for the 60th anniversary yet: a new spinoff series! Tales of the TARDIS is a trans-narrative show that, over the course of six episodes, will see veteran actors from Doctor Who—and one from The Sarah Jane Adventures—return to their roles as various incarnations of the titular Time Lord and companions from throughout the series.
Interweaving this new footage with footage from classic stories, we will get new scenes where these characters meet one another again within the confines of a new TARDIS set that’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. Part of the primary console for instance looks like a campfire and that is just so cute.
First- and Second-Doctor-era actors such as Peter Purves as Steven Taylor, Maureen O’Brian as Vicki, Frazer Hines as Jaimie McCrimmon, and Wendy Padbury as Zoe Heriot will be returning. As well as Katy Manning as Jo Grant representing the Third Doctor’s era alongside Daniel Anthony as Clyde Langer, both of whom met one another in The Sarah Jane Adventures where Clyde originates. For other eras of the show, Peter Davidson will once again reprise his role as the Fifth Doctor alongside Janet Fielding as Tegan Jovanka. Colin Baker as the Sixth Doctor and Nicola Bryant as Peri Brown. And finally, Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor and Sophie Aldred as Ace.
Almost if not all of these actors have reprised their roles in expanded media, some of them just recently in Doctor Who proper, but for some this is their first time returning to their role on screen in almost 60 years. It’s bound to be emotional.
Alongside this news, we also got the announcement that Doctor Who‘s branding is about to change as well as the BBC is officially adopting the fan-moniker “Whoniverse” as the official name for the franchise’s home on iPlayer.
Russell T. Davies was quoted as saying, “The word ‘Whoniverse’ was invented by fans, so it’s time to give it official status. And Tales of the TARDIS is one of the greatest delights of my career — to see old Doctors and companions reunited, still fighting the good fight, is a perfect way to celebrate the Doctor’s 60th birthday!”
Per this writer’s opinion, no other franchise is run by creatives who love their fans as well as the actors who brought these iconic roles into existence as much as Doctor Who. This franchise is built around not only continuously regenerating itself, but never failing to celebrate what came before. These actors aren’t de-aged with new technology, not even the Doctors, and if it can be helped they aren’t recast. They get to return as they look naturally and fans get to accept that and it’s fine. I love it.
Tales of the TARDIS launches Nov. 1 on BBC iPlayer alongside the vast back catalog of older episodes. Unfortunately, it will not be available for streaming outside of the UK. In the U.S., Disney+ will host new Doctor Who episodes beginning Nov. 25. You can watch Classic Doctor Who in the U.S. on Britbox. Revival-era Doctor Who (2005-2022) as well as its spinoffs, The Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood, are available on Max. Other modern spinoffs such as CLASS can be bought on Prime Video, and K9 can be streamed on Tubi TV.
