TV & Movies

Doctor Who Season 14: Everything we know so far

A promotional image of Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson as The Doctor and Ruby Sunday in Season 14 of Doctor Who.BBC / Doctor Who

Season 14 of Doctor Who starring Ncuti Gatwa as The Fifteenth Doctor is well and truly on the way, so here’s everything we know about it so far.

If Doctor Who has taught us anything, it’s that the only constant is change. The classic BBC series – which is now heading onto Disney+ in the US for this upcoming season – is known for how the Doctor changes; not just in the actor that plays them, but in the companions that they have.

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This means that when a new season comes along, the series may have a new showrunner, a new companion, and of course, a new Doctor. It can be quite hard to keep track of it all.

Here’s everything we know about Season 14 of Doctor Who so far.

Contents

Is there a release date for Doctor Who Season 14?

As of writing, there is no confirmed release date for Season 14 of Doctor Who – however, it’s likely it will arrive in 2024, following the 60th anniversary special next year.

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Jodie Whittaker’s time as the Doctor has ended, and it’s going to be another year until the Tardis appears on our screens again. We still have the 60th anniversary in November 2023, which will star David Tennant in a return to his iconic role and also introduce Gatwa’s Doctor.

Filming has begun on Doctor Who Season 14, with Dylan Holmes Williams, who earlier helmed episodes of M. Night Shyamalan’s Servant, directing the first episode.

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This likely means that the series will be coming shortly after the 60th anniversary, sometime in 2024.

Filming is still currently underway, with some footage being leaked on Twitter of the new Doctor and Companion dancing through the streets.

Furthermore, showrunner Russell T. Davies – who is returning from his time with the 9th and 10th Doctors – has revealed that Doctor Who will be resuming annually, with no gap years in between seasons, meaning more Doctor Who goodness than we’ve gotten in a long while.

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Doctor Who Season 14 trailer: Is there a trailer?

Sadly, as filming has only just begun, there is no official trailer for Doctor Who Season 14 – but there is a trailer for the anniversary special featuring Gatwa, which you check out below:

Also, while you may think that the teaser clip and image of Gatwa’s Doctor is promotion enough, reportedly the background of his scene is actually fake, and he will be somewhere else entirely in the actual show. Mysterious!

There has been a reveal of the new Doctor and his Companion in their costumes on Twitter, which you can check out below:

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On April 20, 2023, a handful of new images of The Doctor and Ruby were shared online that feature the pair in smart 60s-style outfits – confirming that the TARDIS will land in the swinging 60s at some point in Season 14.

The looks continue, as more set images have been released, showing the pair in what appears to be the regency period. “Dress to impress, and beware the Duchess…” the caption states.

The Doctor’s new version of the iconic Sonic Screwdriver has also been revealed, and it looks just as great as Gatwa does in the role:

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Doctor Who Season 14 cast: Who is starring in the next season?

So far, seven cast members have been confirmed for Doctor Who Season 14, and these are:

  • Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor
  • Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday, the Doctor’s companion
  • Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart
  • Aneurin Barnard as Roger ap Gwilliam
  • Michelle Greenidge in an unknown role
  • Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood
  • Jack Forsyth-Noble as Will
  • Indira Varma as the Duchess
  • Bonnie Langford as Melanie Bush
  • Lenny Rush as Morris
  • Jinkx Monsoon in an unknown role
  • Jonathan Groff in an unknown – potentially Regency era – role
  • Bhav Joshi in an unknown role
  • Eilidh Loan in an unknown role
  • Pete MacHale in an unknown role
  • Miles Yekinni in an unknown role
  • Hemi Yeroham in an unknown role

Gatwa is best known for his role as Eric Effiong in Sex Education, whereas Gibson recently won an award for her performance as Kelly Neelan in Coronation Street.

Both cast members were announced on social media, with clever emojis hinting at their reveal.

Gibson was also revealed during the BBC charity show, Children in Need, where she popped out of a Tardis onstage.

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After Gatwa’s casting was revealed to the world, he said: “There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling. A mix of deeply honored, beyond excited, and of course a little bit scared.

“This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care. I will endeavor my utmost to do the same.”

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Reacting to her casting, Gibson said (as per Digital Spy): “Whilst still being in total disbelief, I am beyond honored to be cast as the Doctor’s companion.”

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Jemma Redgrave’s return was also announced via social media. Redgrave, who plays Kate Lethbridge-Stewart has of course been a recurring character in Doctor Who since Season 7.

RuPaul’s Drag Race winner, Jinkx Monsoon is set to play a major role in the upcoming season. Russell T Davies expressed his excitement for the casting when the news was announced, stating “In a galaxy of comets and supernovas, here comes the biggest star of all. Jinkx Monsoon is on a collision course with the TARDIS, and ‘Doctor Who’ will never be the same again,”

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On April 19, 2023, a first look at Monsoon’s character was shared via Doctor Who’s social channels where they were described as “The Doctor’s most powerful enemy yet.” The piano pattern on the costume and the actor’s Broadway background suggests that there could be a musical element to this villain – could this mean the first musical episode of Doctor Who is on the horizon? Only time will tell.

On May 5, 2023, it was announced that Jonathan Groff will play a ‘key role’ in Season 14. The actor has worked on a number of hit TV shows and films over the years, including voicing the role of Kristoff in Frozen and starring alongside Keanu Reeves in The Matrix Resurrections.

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Groff’s career began on Broadway where he gained recognition for originating the role of Melchior Gabor in Spring Awakening, and he has most recently played the role of King George III in Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s Hamilton which earned him a Tony Nomination. Funnily enough, he appears in similarly historical garb in the regency images further up in this article.

The actor’s musical background has led to more fan speculation that a musical episode of Doctor Who could be coming in Season 14.

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No doubt there will be more cast members featured throughout the series, and likely there will be some more celebrity guest stars, akin to Stephen Fry and Kylie Minogue’s past appearances. As soon as anymore cast news is revealed, we’ll be sure to update you right here.

Doctor Who Season 14 plot: What will happen next season?

While we gather that Season 14 will follow the regular premise of the show – that being a regenerative Time Lord traveling around time and space with a companion while saving the universe here and there – there is currently no confirmed plot for Doctor Who Season 14.

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The series will likely address the Doctor’s previous regeneration, as we can expect that Tennant will transition into Gatwa during the 60th anniversary special.

It’s also been revealed that UNIT will appear again, due to Jemma Redgrave’s return as Kate Stewart.

We do know that Season 14 will consist of eight episodes – including a two-part finale – along with a Christmas special. While this is a fewer number of episodes than seasons usually get, a return to the Christmas Special will no doubt excite many fans of the show. As Russell T Davies told Doctor Who magazine, “Okay, that’s fewer episodes than the last full season. But give us time. We have plans, and that’s a promise!”

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While plot details are being kept tightly under wraps for now, Russell T Davies did recently claim that an upcoming episode is one of “the greatest things” he’s ever made.

During a radio interview with Michael Ball, he briefly mentioned his excitement for Season 14, stating “I have [started work on new Doctor Who] I sat here and watched Episode 4 last night, and I think it’s one of the greatest things I’ve ever made in my life. So I’m very very happy.”

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The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine that hit shelves on March 2, 2023, also featured a few insights from crew members including VFX Coordinator, Sian Reynish, who has spoken about some of the new techniques and technology being used to film Season 14 and the Christmas Special that will usher in Ncuti Gatwa’s time in the TARDIS.

Reynish emphasized the use of drones on set, stating: “In the Christmas special we’re shooting, we’re shooting with drones on the set, which no one’s done before because of the way The Doctor races erratically around the TARDIS. It’s amazing to have those sorts of shots.” It was also revealed that “top of the range technology, the kind that Marvel uses” is currently being used to make Doctor Who in Wales, which the VFX coordinator “thinks is pretty speculator. It means Doctor Who’s at the forefront of pushing the boundaries.”

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Finally, Reynish praised Ncuti Gatwa’s portrayal of the titular Time Lord, stating that “He’s young and fun. The crew say he’s up for anything, and I think he’ll really make it his own and not try to copy the mannerisms of anyone else. He’s really individual and that’s what we want, a new new Doctor!”

Doctor Who Season 14 soundtrack

On April 24, 2023, it was announced that composer Murray Gold will be returning to Doctor Who alongside the National Orchestra of Wales for the highly anticipated 60-anniversary celebrations and will remain at the show’s musical helm for Season 14.

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Gold originally began working on Doctor Who during the 2004 revival, and he remained with the series for over twelve years, soundtracking the entire runs of Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, and Peter Capaldi’s Doctors before departing in 2017.

During his initial stint as Doctor Who’s composer, Gold was responsible for revitalizing the classic theme song, as well as creating many iconic themes for The Doctor’s closest companions and deadliest enemies. His emotional score was an integral part of the revival with songs including ‘Doomsday’, ‘I Am The Doctor’, and ‘Rose’s Theme’ becoming beloved fan favorites.

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Commenting on his return to the series, Gold stated: “I’m so happy to be invited back for another joyful ride in the TARDIS. I didn’t think twice. Working with Russell and his team is just a pleasure.”

That’s everything we know about Doctor Who Season 14. In the meantime, check out our other TV hubs:

The Sandman Season 2 | Stranger Things Season 5 | The Witcher Season 3 | Squid Game Season 2 | Wednesday Season 2 | Extraction 2 | Murder Mystery 3 | Gears of War movie | Cobra Kai Season 6

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