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Doctor Who 60th anniversary series gets dramatic new trailer

"I don't know if I can save your life this time"

By Alastair James

Doctor Who
David Tennant as Doctor Who (Image: BBC)

After several recent casting announcements, we think it’s fair to say that anticipation for the 60th-anniversary series of Doctor Who was already pretty high.

The specials will debut in November (not long to go!) and will see David Tennant return as the Time Lord. He will also be joined by Catherine Tate, returning as Donna Noble, as well as Yasmin Finney as Rose.

On Saturday (23 September) the BBC unveiled a brand new trailer for the series which came with no shortage of dramatics.

Seemingly central to everything is Donna, whose mind was wiped by Tennant as the tenth incarnation of The Doctor, who wonders what she’s missing in life.

“I don’t know if I can save your life this time”

“If she remembers me she will die,” The Doctor says, giving an indication of the series’ high stakes.

We then see Donna and Rose encounter what is probably Miriam Margolyes’ character, Meep. Multiple explosions follow while The Doctor narrates: “If destiny exists then it is heading for Donna Noble.”

Neil Patrick Harris also makes several appearances as a terrifying presence as The Toymaker, last seen in 1966. The How I Met Your Mother was announced as part of the cast in June 2022.

It was then said he would play “the greatest enemy” that Doctor Who has ever faced. Judging by the trailer, where a giant version of the Toymaker can be seen, that certainly appears to be the case.

The trailer ends with an exhausted Doctor telling Donna: “I don’t know if I can save your life this time.”

In a statement, Russell T Davies, the series’s showrunner said: “This is just the start, as the fever starts to burn. We’re heading for a November full of Doctor Who surprises, for fans and new viewers alike. Stay alert!”

Doctor Who will return in November with three special episodes featuring Tennant as the 14th Doctor. Ncuti Gatwa will then take over during the festive period.