Summary
- Doctor Who season 14’s release window was briefly revealed in a BBC press release before being removed, sparking speculation about the premiere date.
- Ncuti Gatwa will star as the fifteenth incarnation of the Time Lord, joined by Millie Gibson as companion Ruby Sunday in adventures across different time periods.
- The removal of the release window could be due to the upcoming 60th anniversary specials taking precedence, or disagreements between the BBC and Disney regarding distribution.
The 2024 release window for Doctor Who season 14 was seemingly revealed in a recent BBC press release, only to be quickly removed. Season 14 will be Ncuti Gatwa’s first full season as the fifteenth incarnation of the eponymous Time Lord following his debut in this year’s anniversary specials. Gatwa will be joined by Millie Gibson, who will portray the Fifteenth Doctor’s companion Ruby Sunday in adventures taking them to the near-future, Regency-era England, and the Beatlemania of the 1960s.
Following Gatwa wrapping filming on Doctor Who season 14 in July, the BBC Culture website seemingly shared a release window for the new episodes in a recent press release discussing the global premiere of the upcoming 60th anniversary specials.
As reported by Den of Geek, the David Tennant-led anniversary specials have a November release window, while the latest Doctor Who Christmas special will arrive in December. This was followed by apparent confirmation that Doctor Who season 14 is expected to air in spring 2024. The article was soon amended, however, removing the spring 2024 release window from the original sentence.
What Could The BBC’s Release Date Removal Mean For Doctor Who Season 14?
Production on Doctor Who season 14 began in December 2022 following confirmation of both Gatwa and Gibson’s involvement, with regular updates arriving online until filming wrapped in July. Furthermore, work on Gatwa’s second season is already underway, with showrunner Russell T Davies writing Doctor Who season 15 alongside filming. Gatwa also confirmed he would be back for more. With a seemingly smooth production that allowed for future work to take place, the BBC’s sudden amendments are curious.
While the removal of Doctor Who season 14’s release window may raise alarms for some, there could be a number of reasons for why the BBC walked back its own statement. With the 60th anniversary set to air in November, the BBC may want to maintain focus on that, just as how they kept Jodie Whittaker’s successor hidden until her last episode aired. Furthermore, with Disney contributing to Doctor Who‘s production and distribution outside of the UK, both the company and the BBC may not have agreed on a firm release window.
Regardless of whether the BBC’s initial report proves to be accurate, hopefully Doctor Who will maintain its spring 2024 release. Between all-star cast members, returning favorite characters, and a wide variety of teased adventures, many are keen to see Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor take flight in the TARDIS, and having it arrive sooner in the year would be a delight. While a spring release may not be guaranteed, Doctor Who season 14 is undoubtedly one of 2024’s most anticipated TV releases.
Source: Den of Geek, BBC.com