Doctor Who has given fans a first look at Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor – after David Tennant's shock return.
Jodie Whittaker's Doctor regenerated during tonight's special feature length episode, with fans expecting to see Sex Education star Ncuti take on the role. Earlier this year, it was confirmed he would be the next Doctor.
However, in surprise scenes this evening, Jodie bid farewell to the Tardis and her version of the Doctor, only for David Tennant to be regenerated instead as fans rushed to social media to share their excitement. The BBC have now given fans a first look at Ncuti as the Doctor as they released a special trailer to show how his Time Lord will arrive.
A clip was shared online of the Doctor – played by David – as he admits "I don’t know who I am anymore," before the clip ends with Ncuti screaming: "Someone tell me what the hell is going on here."
Returning showrunner Russell T Davies shared in a statement about the upcoming new episodes: "If you thought the appearance of David Tennant was a shock, we’ve got plenty more surprises on the way!
"The path to Ncuti’s Fifteenth Doctor is laden with mystery, horror, robots, puppets, danger and fun! And how is it connected to the return of the wonderful Donna Noble? How, what, why? We’re giving you a year to speculate, and then all hell lets loose!"
It has been confirmed David will be back – presumably as the fourteenth doctor – to mark the BBC show's 60th anniversary. He described it as a "no brainer" to return and heaped praise on Ncuti, who will be joining as the fifteenth doctor.
Fans were left reeling when Jodie's Doctor regenerated into David Tennant's Doctor.
One wrote: "I’ve just been watching Doctor Who the power of the doctor what an amazing episode Jodie Whitaker has been an amazing Doctor. Her generation into David Tennant wow what a mind blowing episode #DoctorWho."
"The most beautiful regeneration yet. Thankyou Jodie for being magnificent! So good to see David back," a second shared, as a third penned: "DAVID TENNANT IS BACK! I’M ALREADY LOVING THIS. I’M ABOUT TO CRY #DoctorWho."
A fourth wrote: "im actually just so so so happy that david tennant is back again as the doctor, he was SUCH a huge part of my childhood welcome back, my doctor! #DoctorWho." [sic]
*The three special episodes will be aired in November 2023 as Doctor Who celebrates its 60th anniversary.