The 2023 specials of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who are a series of three special episodes that are airing to celebrate the programme’s 60th anniversary. The specials were written by Russell T Davies and mark the start of his second tenure as showrunner, having served in the role from the start of Doctor Who’s revival in 2005 until leaving in 2010. The specials are being broadcast from 25 November to 9 December 2023 on BBC One in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and on Disney+ internationally.
David Tennant and Catherine Tate returned to the series as part of the 60th anniversary. Tennant starred as the Fourteenth Doctor for the first time, having previously portrayed the Tenth Doctor, while Tate reprised her role as Donna Noble. Miriam Margolyes and Neil Patrick Harris guest starred as the voice of the Meep and the Toymaker, respectively, alongside returning cast members Jacqueline King, Karl Collins, Bernard Cribbins, and Jemma Redgrave, as well as newcomer Yasmin Finney.
The specials were led by Davies as head writer and executive producer in his first episodes since his return to the programme. They preceded and were announced alongside the fourteenth series; both were announced with Davies’ return to the programme for its 60th anniversary and “series beyond”. The three specials were directed by Rachel Talalay, Tom Kingsley, and Chanya Button, respectively. Filming occurred between May and July 2022, with production moving from Roath Lock Studios to Wolf Studios once Bad Wolf became a co-producer of the series. A multitude of new Doctor Who media and re-releases accompanied the specials for the occasion of the anniversary.
