Running off and on for 60 years is no mean feat.  And there is no series like Doctor Who.  The 60th anniversary year is already underway, with audio drama outfit Big Finish reuniting the seven actors behind Doctors #4  to #10 in audio dramas released monthly through October, followed by the surprise return of the actor behind the Tenth Doctor, David Tennant, in a brief turn as the new 14th Doctor coming via three end-of-year Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials, before Ncuti Gatwa takes over as the next 15th Doctor at year end.

But the best news may be a redemption of sorts for one of the most unusual characters of the series’ 60 years.  That’s Catherine Tate’s Donna Noble returning with era co-stars Jacqueline King as Sylvia, Karl Collins as Shaun, and Bernard Cribbins in his final performance as Wilfred.  And the specials are all written by Who veteran Russell T. Davies, with composer Murray Gold back, too.  The shows will be airing on BBC One in the UK and somewhere new… Disney+ internationally.

Davies wrote a part for Neil Patrick Harris as the villain of what will be three specials: “The Star Beast” directed by Rachel Talalay, “Wild Blue Yonder” directed by Tom Kingsley, and “The Giggle” directed by Chanya Button.  Take a look at these previews for the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials:

The audio adventures coming from Big Finish are titled Once and Future, with new dramas available this month through October.

First, get out your scarf, Fourth Doctor actor Tom Baker, Sadie Miller, Jemma Redgrave, and Ingrid Oliver star in Past Lives, available now here at Big Finish.

In June look for the Fifth Doctor actor Peter Davison, Sixth Doctor actor Colin Baker, and Georgia Tennant in The Artist at the End of Time. 

The Eighth Doctor actor Sylvester McCoy returns in July in A Genius for War.  Then look for Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, and David Tennant starring in Two’s Company in August, The Martian Invasion of Planetoid 50 in September, The Union in October, Time Lord Immemorial also in October, followed by Coda–The Final Act.

Neither BBC One nor Disney+ has released official launch dates yet for the three Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials, but it’s very likely they will be spread out over November 18-19 and November 25-26, 2023.

C.J. Bunce / Editor / borg