Bringing Back David Tennant And Catherine Tate Is The Worst Thing Doctor Who Could Do

thegamer.com:

There have been two huge pieces of news in the world of Doctor Who recently. Firstly, Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa was cast as the Doctor themselves, and secondly, David Tennant and Catherine Tate were confirmed to return for the 60th anniversary special. These two bits of news feel diametrically opposed in what they say about the future of Doctor Who. Gatwa suggests the series will begin looking forward to fresh adventures, while Tennant suggests the series will continue to look back and indulge its past.

David Tennant is the longest serving of the modern Doctors, and while everyone has different favourites, Tennant usually averages out as the top pick by a considerable margin. He represents the peak of the modern era, and bringing him back invites enormous pressure onto Gatwa. Doctor Who isn't in a great place right now. The series has fizzled under Chris Chibnall and while most fans have kind words for Jodie Whittaker as an actor, she is almost universally everyone's least favourite Doctor. Gatwa has to pick the series up from its lowest point this century - and let's not ignore the context that he has to do it as a Black man, meaning he is being written off as a woke diversity casting before he's even had a chance. Side note: if you are complaining that having a Black Doctor makes the show woke you have never understood a single minute of Doctor Who.

Related: Why Ncuti Gatwa Is The Perfect Choice For The Fourteenth Doctor

Returning Doctors is nothing new, of course. Tennant already returned for the 50th anniversary alongside Matt Smith, and when Christopher Ecclestone turned down the chance, John Hurt was cast to ensure that his character was still represented. The episode also saw Tom Baker make a cameo appearance