Doctor Who: Jodie Whittaker’s regeneration reveals a new Doctor

Warning: This article contains spoilers

David Tennant has made a surprise appearance in Jodie Whittaker’s final Doctor Who story.

Whittaker unexpectedly regenerated into Tennant at the end of the 90-minute special The Power of the Doctor.

The BBC has confirmed that the popular actor, who previously played the role between 2005 and 2010, has officially returned as the 14th Doctor.

Previous incarnations of the Time Lord, including Peter Davison and Sylvester McCoy, also appeared in the story.

It was announced earlier this year that David Tennant had been filming scenes for the sci-fi drama’s 60th anniversary.

Now it’s been confirmed that he’s playing more than a brief cameo, and that he’s taken over from Whittaker to once more play the Doctor.

He’ll appear in three special episodes which will air in November 2023.

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies said: “If you thought the appearance of David Tennant was a shock, we’ve got plenty more surprises on the way!”

Whittaker’s final story was filled with characters from the Doctor’s past.

The fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth Doctors, played by Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann, all made brief appearances.

As did former companions Ace, Tegan and Jo, played by Sophie Aldred, Janet Fielding and Katy Manning.

97-year-old William Russell, who played one of the companions of the first Doctor, William Hartnell, also appeared in the story.

After the three 60th-anniversary specials in 2023, Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa will take over from David Tennant as the 15th Doctor.

Russell T Davies commented: “The path to Ncuti’s 15th Doctor is laden with mystery, horror, robots, puppets, danger and fun!

“And how is it connected to the return of the wonderful Donna Noble? How, what, why? We’re giving you a year to speculate, and then all hell lets loose!”

The Power of the Doctor is available on BBC iPlayer