BBC is showing 5 hours straight of David Tennant Doctor Who episodes – and we’re confused

If Doctor Who has taught us anything, it’s that time flies.

Somehow, it has been 20 years since David Tennant started his full-time tenure as the 10th Doctor.

After a minuscule appearance at the end of Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston’s finale, Parting of Ways, in 2005, he spent much of his full-length debut festive special, The Christmas Invasion, asleep in Jackie Tyler’s bed.

So, come April 2006, Whovians finally got acquainted with the brand new, spanking Doctor in season two, episode one, New Earth, where he quickly forged himself as a fan-favourite.

Tennant went on to star in seasons three and four, return for the 50th anniversary and regenerate into the 14th Doctor for 2023’s 60th anniversary special.

(It’s confusing, we know.

We’re hoping that if you’re interested in a night of Doctor Who reruns, you have a grip of the basic lore).

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Now, the BBC is marking 20 years since that fateful season two episode with five hours of non-stop David Tennant Doctor action on BBC Three on Thursday, April 16.

Starting at 7:05pm, it will air the three 60th anniversary specials – The Star Beast, Wild Blue Yonder, The Giggle – where Catherine Tate also returns as Donna Noble.

Next up is Talking Doctor Who, where the 54-year-old Scottish actor ‘tells the story of the Doctor’s Classic era’, followed by a trio of behind-the-scenes Unleashed episodes diving into the 60th anniversary trio.

All in all, with popcorn in hand, it’ll be wrapped up by half-past midnight.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

Why on earth would the broadcaster air episodes that came out only three years ago and not feature any 10th Doctor adventures, the very anniversary of which they are marking?

I’m afraid, to that we have no answers.

Your guess is as good as ours!

As one X user, Kit, The Great Inferno, put it: ‘Personally, I’d have chosen five or six all-timer episodes of Tennant if we were doing this.’

Which David Tennant episodes would we have picked?

New Earth: Although this is not the best episode, it is the one we’re using to mark twenty years of his Doctor, so I think it deserves to kick off the night.

The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit: A stellar two-parter that shows just how unsettling and confronting the show can be.

Doomsday: Look, it’s a well-remembered end of an era for a reason!

Human Nature/Family of Blood: If it were up to me, I would do the six-episode run from Human Nature to the Last of the Time Lords – Martha Jones, the queen that you are.

Midnight: Although it doesn’t have much Donna in it, this episode remains a standout adventure from Tennant’s time on the Tardis.

Honourable mentions: School Reunion, Turn Left, End of Time Part One and Two, Wild Blue Yonder

Which David Tennant episodes would you have liked to see included?Comment Now
The Twenty Years of Tennant special evening comes amid growing speculation that the screen star could be making a comeback for the 2026 Christmas special after Billie Piper’s unexpected return.

There’s no word yet from showrunner Russell T Davies on how the plot will unfold, but with the 14th Doctor (also played by David Tennant) currently alive and living in Donna’s back garden, a return is certainly possible.

Meanwhile, some fans believe that a post on the in-universe UNIT blogpost discussing the disappearance of Rose Tyler could be another sign of what’s to come.

Twenty Years of Tennant will air on BBC Three from 7:05pm on Thursday, April 16.

Doctor Who will return for a 2026 Christmas special.
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