Doctor Who is due to return to television in late 2023 for a series of specials marking the series’ 60th anniversary. These specials see the return of David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor, after a shocking regeneration twist at the end of Jodie Whittaker’s final episode, “The Power of the Doctor.” However, Tennant isn’t back for long. At the end of the three upcoming specials he is due to hand over control of the TARDIS to new Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa.
While Gatwa did not get to appear in Whittaker’s final episode himself, owing to Tennant’s surprise appearance as the new Doctor, the first teaser trailer for Doctor Who‘s 60th anniversary specials featured a fleeting glimpse of Gatwa’s incoming Fifteenth Doctor. Little was revealed from the single shot of Gatwa’s Doctor that was featured in the trailer. However, the fact that it was featured at all may suggest that Gatwa’s Doctor will factor into the story of the specials before the Fourteenth Doctor’s regeneration. This could open the door to resolving one of Doctor Who‘s longest standing regeneration mysteries.
Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor Who Debut Could Echo The Watcher
The first teaser for the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials features one shot of Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor in the shirt and tie worn by Tennant’s Fourteenth Doctor, yelling “Will someone tell me what the hell is going on here?” In the trailer, he is seen standing in front of a cloudy backdrop, but returning showrunner Russell T Davies has confirmed this background was changed for the trailer to avoid a major spoiler. It’s possible this shot comes from shortly after the Fourteenth Doctor’s regeneration into the Fifteenth. But in the past, Doctor Who trailers have avoided showing any footage of a new Doctor from their regeneration scene. This suggests that audiences may be getting a glimpse of Gatwa’s Doctor before he officially takes the reins.
No other Doctor has properly appeared before their regeneration, with the exception of Peter Capaldi’s brief cameo in “The Day of the Doctor.” However, Tom Baker’s Fourth Doctor was visited by a strange apparition that seemed to be connected to his future self. Shortly before his death and regeneration in “Logopolis,” the Fourth Doctor was visited by a ghostly figure called the Watcher. His purpose was apparently known only to the Doctor. When the Doctor died in a battle with the Master, he signalled to the Watcher, who approached and merged with him, triggering his regeneration. The Doctor’s companion Nyssa then claimed the Watcher “was the Doctor all the time,” but no further explanation was ever given.
The Fifteenth Doctor Can Explain What The Watcher Was
Should Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor appear before the Fourteenth Doctor’s regeneration, it could mean that he too will play a part in triggering the regeneration process, guiding his past self to his new form. Of course, the Watcher didn’t look like the Fifth Doctor, whereas it seems likely Gatwa’s Doctor will appear as himself before the moment of regeneration occurs. In any case, the Doctor witnessing some form of manifestation of his next incarnation shortly before his death could allow him to explain the reason behind this phenomenon and why it so rarely happens.
The Fourth Doctor’s regeneration has been the only time so far that a figure like the Watcher has appeared to guide the Doctor through the regeneration process. While this added a layer of mystery and portentousness to the Fourth Doctor’s transition into the Fifth, it was odd that the Watcher’s presence and his true nature was never fully explained. Now Doctor Who can finally resolve this old mystery by having the Fifteenth Doctor appear to the Fourteenth in a similar manner. As Tennant’s last Doctor wasn’t ready to face his death, perhaps seeing his future self before his next regeneration will reassure him that, this time around, the moment has been prepared for.
Doctor Who returns to BBC One and Disney+ this November.