In 2022, BBC and Disney Branded Television announced their collaboration to bring the fan-favorite series “Doctor Who” to an international audience. The trailer and premiere dates were released in October 2023, for the three new 60th-anniversary specials, debuting on Disney+ globally, except in Ireland and the UK. The three specials, under the names “The Star Beast,” released on November 25, “Wild Blue Yonder,” released on December 2, and “The Google,” launched on December 9, reunited the Fourteenth Doctor (David Tennant) and Donna Noble (Catherine Tate), as they face their haunting villain, the Toymaker, portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris.
Other cast members include Yasmin Finney as Rose Temple-Noble, Miriam Margolyes as the voice of Meep, and Ruth Madeley voicing Shirley Anne Bingham. Jacqueline King also returns to play Sylvia Noble, Karl Collins as Shaun Temple, and Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart.
This is exciting for the Disney audience, as “Doctor Who,” produced by BBC Studios and Bad Wolf, is renowned for being the longest-running science fiction series in the world and has won over a hundred awards. The classic British show has a massive global following, with 9.6 million fans across various platforms and channels, and garnered over 100 million views on YouTube in 2022. The return of the show is powered by the vision of writer, executive producer, and showrunner Russell T. Davies. Additional executive producers include Phil Collinson, Joel Collins, Jane Tranter, and Julie Gardner. The 60th-anniversary specials are directed by Rachel Talalay, Chanya Button, and Tom Kingsley, with global distribution handled by BBC Studios.
Ncuti Gatwa takes charge of the TARDIS as the Fifteenth Doctor throughout the festive season. The new season of “Doctor Who” has landed globally on Disney+ this year and is streaming on the BBC in Ireland and the UK.
