Last fall, Disney Branded Television and the BBC announced that they had joined forces to bring fan-favorite series “Doctor Who” to a global audience.
The three new “Doctor Who” 60th anniversary specials, are set to debut on Disney+ globally except in the UK and Ireland, where they will air on the BBC. The three specials, titled “The Star Beast” (Nov. 25), “Wild Blue Yonder” (Dec. 2) and “The Giggle” (Dec. 9) will reunite the Fourteenth Doctor (David Tennant) and Donna Temple-Noble (Catherine Tate) as they come face-to-face with their most terrifying villain yet: the Toymaker (played by Neil Patrick Harris in his “Doctor Who” debut).
Additional new cast includes Yasmin Finney as Rose Temple-Noble, Miriam Margolyes as the voice of the Meep and Ruth Madeley as Shirley Anne Bingham, as well as returning characters Jacqueline King as Sylvia Noble, Karl Collins as Shaun Temple, and Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart.
First reactions are beginning to drop online for the first episode of the 60th Anniversary specials. The vast majority of responses have been highly positive with critics saying its classic “Doctor Who,” a great starting point for new viewers to jump in, and praising the special for the performances of its two lead actors.
Take a look at the early reactions below:
Total Film says:
“The question is then, does it deliver on such a promise, despite the hype being at an all-time high? Thankfully, the answer is a resounding yes! ‘The Star Beast’ kickstarts a whole new era of ‘Doctor Who’ with style, providing a warm embrace for the already dedicated Whovians and welcoming with open arms those who are new to the widely adored show.”
“Sure, we do see The Doctor and co. fighting off aliens, but the story dives much deeper than that, exploring more complex themes relating to identity, all of which are beautifully handled with a sensitive touch. Many of the characters may be otherworldly, but Davies understands that, ultimately, ‘Doctor Who’ is a very human show.”
The Streamr says:
“The special works really well as a new starting point for first-time viewers, or as mentioned, people who haven’t necessarily watched it for some time.”
At Darren’s World of Entertainment says:
“Equally, the Tennant and Tate double act is one of the main reasons to watch.”
Decider’s Alex Zalben says:
“‘Doctor Who: The Star Beast’ is the most fun I’ve had watching ‘Doctor Who’ in… Years? David Tennant and Catherine Tate prove, once again, they are the perfect pairing for the show, able to flip from heartbreaking emotion to laugh-out-loud comedy on a dime. ‘Who’ is back, baby!
“It’s definitely goofy at times, but that’s part and parcel with ‘Doctor Who.’ The increased budget of the specials is on-screen, too… Rachel Talalay directs some excellent sequences, big explosions, and a character who is destined to become an iconic DW creation.”
“Doctor Who” is the longest running action-adventure television series in the world spanning 60 years and winning over 100 awards. This quintessentially British show has a huge global following, with 9.6m fans across social platforms/channels and 100m video views on YouTube in the last year alone.
“Doctor Who” is produced by Bad Wolf and BBC Studios. The series returns under the creative vision of returning showrunner Russell T. Davies, who also serves as a writer and executive producer. Additional executive producers include Phil Collinson, Joel Collins, Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter. The 60th-anniversary specials are written by Russell T. Davies and directed by Rachel Talalay, Tom Kingsley, and Chanya Button, respectively. BBC Studios is handling global distribution.
You can watch a trailer for the 60th Anniversary specials below:
Source: The Direct