Grab your sonic screwdrivers, locate the nearest police phone box and get ready for adventures across time and space: that’s right, Doctor Who is finally back for a new season.
The show, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, is heading back to screens in May with a whole new look, and a whole new Doctor. Ncuti Gatwa will be making his full debut alongside Millie Gibson as his companion Ruby Sunday, and we’re already getting excited.
Even better, Russell T Davies has returned as showrunner after rebooting the show all the way back in 2005. There’s a buzz in the air, and rightly so: here’s what you need to know about the upcoming season.
When is it out?
Good news, Whovians: not long. The first two episodes will be dropping on BBC iPlayer at in the early hours of Saturday, May 11; they’ll then be aired on BBC One that night just before the Eurovision Song Contest. Basically, why leave the sofa at all?
Following episodes will then air weekly on Saturdays, and for those overseas, they’ll be dropping on Disney+.
What do we know about the plot?
Not a lot, so far. The trailer has teased adventures through several different time periods, though there’s no clue as yet about what the overall series arc will be.
The trailer shows hints of the Doctor and Ruby exploring Abbey Road and meeting the Beatles; getting stuck into courtly dramas during the Regency period (complete with wigs and waistcoats) and even a trip to visit the dinosaurs, during which Ruby steps on a butterfly and seemingly transforms into an alien.
And of course, there’s also a fair amount of ominous disaster on the horizon: a ruined London, lots of running away from monsters and a voiceover from Ruby’s mother Carla Sunday (Michelle Greenidge), saying “I’m still her mum. I need to know she’ll be okay. You’ll keep her safe?”
“I’ll keep her safe. I promise,” the Doctor replies. Of course, if there’s one thing we know, it’s that he can’t always keep his promises.
Who’s starring?
There’s the two leads: Scottish-Rwandan actor Ncuti Gatwa plays the Doctor after making his first appearance in the Christmas special last year. He’s joined by Gibson as Ruby Sunday – the foundling whose past is still intriguingly vague.
Over the course of the season, they’re also set to be joined by some terrific guest stars. There’s Yasmin Finney, who’ll be returning as Rose (the younger version, aka Donna’s daughter) from the 2023 specials. There’s Anita Dobson, who’ll be returning as Ruby’s neighbour Mrs Flood; and she definitely knows more about the Doctor than she’s letting on.
Old Who companion Bonnie Langford will also be returning as Mel Bush, now a member of London-based alien-fighting squad UNIT, alongside Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, the commander of UNIT. And don’t forget Jonathan Groff: the American actor will be making an appearance in the Regency-themed episode.
There’s even a special baddie to look forward to. We don’t know who they are yet, but we do know that they’ll be played by Ru-Paul’s Drag Race star Jinkx Monsoon and have been teased as “the Doctor’s most powerful enemy yet.” Intriguing.
Is there a trailer?
There is indeed: we’ve popped it in at the top of the page.
