Spoilers! A press release arrives from the BBC following the transmission of The Reality War. Read on at your peril…
It’s hard to come up with a headline for this story that doesn’t give much about Doctor Who away for those who haven’t yet seen the season 2 finale, The Reality War. Apologies for the sort-of-veer into clickbait, but it’s hard to avoid without spoiling things for people.
Please note therefore that if you go any further, you’re in spoiler territory.
Still here?
Right. At the end of The Reality War, viewers were show Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor regenerating into Billie Piper. A BBC press release has filled in some of the blanks.
Firstly, yep, Ncuti Gatwa is 100%, definitely gone.
The official quote he’s given to the press statement reads as follows…
“You know when you get cast, at some point you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it. This journey has been one that I will never forget, and a role that will be part of me forever. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe.
The fans are truly the final character and beating heart of this show and I can’t thank the Whoniverse, and the Whovians, enough for welcoming me in, and making this such a touching experience. I’ve loved every minute of it, but now is the time to hand over the keys to that beloved blue box and let someone else take control and enjoy it every bit as much as I have. I’ll truly miss it, and forever be grateful to it, and everyone that has played a part in my journey as the Doctor.”
And then there’s Russell T Davies, who adds…
“What a Doctor! Thank you, Ncuti! As his final words say, this has been an absolute joy, and the team in Cardiff and everyone who has worked on this show for the past few years, are so lucky to have been part of Ncuti’s great adventure as he shoots off to stratospheric new heights.”
Moving onto the other matter in hand, the press release then goes on to talk about Billie Piper’s return to the show. By the quote she’s given, it may be a short visit, but I’ll copy and paste the exact language to let you see if I’m reading too much into that…
Suggested product
SPECIAL BUNDLE! Film Stories issue 54 PLUS signed Alien On Stage Blu-ray pre-order!
£29.99
“It’s no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that TARDIS one more time was just something I couldn’t refuse, but who, how, why and when, you’ll just have to wait and see”
There remains uncertainty over the future of the show, in particular what happens if Disney, as is widely expected, withdraws its funds (might Piper turned up, perhaps, in The War Between The Land And The Sea?). But the press release seems to imply that Russell T Davies is still involved, and indeed, he appears to have just cast another Doctor.
His quote?
“Billie once changed the whole of television, back in 2005, and now she’s done it again! It’s an honour and a hoot to welcome her back to the TARDIS, but quite how and why and who is a story yet to be told. After 62 years, the Doctor’s adventures are only just beginning!”
Much to digest there. Our review of The Reality War is here.
