British Network Television
Coming Soon: “Doctor Who” The 60th Anniversary Specials
BBC One’s “Doctor Who”, with three explosive 60th Anniversary Specials, returns in November 2023…
Much excitement, possibly because David Tennant and Catherine Tate are returning to the beloved series, surrounds the coming three Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials. The three yet untitled episodes, with teleplays penned by Russel T. Davies, see Rachel Talalay, Tom Kingsley, and Chanya Button directing an instalment. Vicki Delow and Chris May serve as producers on the three coming episodes.
Filming on the three episodes, beginning in May 2022, was completed by July. It was a fairly quick affair. Russell T. Davies, in late 2022, gave Doctor Who fans a promise.
“We wanted to give fans, friends and families a lovely little Christmas present with a promise that 2023 will be a riot of Doctor Who goodness!,” said the returning Doctor Who showrunner.
Previously published press releases, other than Tennant and Tate, have revealed significant returning cast members. Fan favourites Jacqueline King and the now late Bernard Cribbins, respectively playing Sylvia Noble and Wilfred Mott are prominently featured. Cribbins, on Wednesday, 27 July 2022, died shortly after filming wrapped.
Davies, on Monday, 13 June 2022, announced Neil Patrick Harris would be joining the cast. The showrunner, at the time, pointed to Harris’ character as being “villainous.” Oddly, even though not much else was said, Davies did point to Harris’ character as being the “the greatest enemy the Doctor has ever faced.”
Interestingly, since Harris’ name became associated with Doctor Who, it has become increasingly obvious Harris’ character is the Celestial Toymaker. The Celestial Toymaker, as legacy fans will recall, is also known by other titles: The Toymaker, The Crystal Guardian, and The Mandarin.
The villainous character, a transcendental being, traps other lifeforms in childish games. It is what it is. Every Doctor Who villain is known for something. The victims soon discover their freedom is at stake. There is a fairly good chance playing one of The Celestial Toymaker’s games could lead to death for the unwilling participants. The Celestial Toymaker, always a sore loser, is known to rig games in his favour.
Karl Collins, playing Donna’s husband Shaun Temple, was last seen in ‘The End of Time: Part 2’. Ruth Madeley and Yasmin Finney, respectively playing Shirley Anne Bingham and Rose Temple-Noble, will be part of the cast.
Another talent showing up for the anniversary, one familiar to Wizarding World fans, is Miriam Margolyes. Margolyes, referenced in the IMDb cast list, is to play a yet unnamed character.
A legacy character, Susan Foreman, will be making her first appearance in decades. Susan Foreman, once again played by Carole Ann Ford, is the granddaughter to the original Doctor. Ford, in 1963 and 1964, appeared in the first and second series. Fans will likely want to know what Susan has been doing since we last saw her.
