David Tennant says he is open to returning as 14th Doctor

The actor, who recently reprised his role in three special episodes marking Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary in 2023, has not yet returned in audio form as the 14th Doctor.

Mr Tennant has already returned to the Doctor Who universe in Big Finish audio adventures as the Tenth Doctor.

David Tennant says he is open to returning as 14th Doctor

Speaking to Doctor Who Magazine about the possibility of revisiting his latest incarnation, he said: “I’m open to anything that’s suggested, to be honest.

“It’s fun to dip a toe back in these worlds.”

At the time of the anniversary, it was decided that the 14th Doctor’s adventures would remain exclusive to television, with no spin-off media except a Doctor Who Magazine comic strip and a Children in Need short special clip.

Mr Tennant said he wasn’t aware of this decision.

He said: “It’s interesting, I didn’t know that there was a sort of embargo on any other worlds for that particular strain of the character.”

The 14th Doctor’s story concluded with the character settling down for a quieter life alongside Catherine Tate’s Donna Noble, her family, and friends including Bonnie Langford’s Mel.

The Scottish actor said: “It’s hard to imagine that’s where it would end, isn’t it?”

He was described as giving a “broad grin” before adding: “And yet that does seem to be where it’s ended.

“So, I guess he’s just enjoying Bonnie Langford’s tray bakes.

“Who wouldn’t?”

Mr Tennant also spoke about how his return came about.

He said: “That was briefly talked about.

“Then it all went really quiet, and I just thought about other things and imagined it had gone away.

“Then, six months later, Russell said, ‘Okay, so I’m taking the reins of Doctor Who, and will you come back and be part of the ongoing story?’”

Russell T Davies, who originally ran Doctor Who from 2005 to 2010, returned to the show between 2023 and 2025.

His departure was announced earlier this year, alongside news that the show would be put out to tender.

When is Doctor Who returning?

The return date for Doctor Who has not yet been confirmed, but it is anticipated it will not return to TV for at least a year or two.

The BBC show is currently ‘out to tender’, meaning the network or rights-holder is opening the daily production duties for competitive bidding.

Independent production companies pitch proposals, and the network awards the contract to the best one.

The network, however, retains the show’s ownership and broadcasting rights.

The BBC has also confirmed that it is not selling the show as part of the process.

It said: “The BBC retains all IP in Doctor Who.

“BBC Studios will continue to lead the global distribution of Doctor Who as well as licensing, consumer products, digital and immersive experiences on behalf of the BBC.”

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While the future of Doctor Who on screen remains uncertain, audio adventures continue to expand the universe.

The upcoming Big Finish stories will see the Tenth Doctor team up with Rani, played by Anjli Mohindra.

Other audio dramas in development include new episodes featuring Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor, Billie Piper as Rose, and Derek Jacobi as The War Master.

Would you like to see David Tennant return as the 14th Doctor? Let us know in the comments.