Tate reprises Donna Noble, reuniting with Tennant for special 60th anniversary episodes
Catherine Tate and David Tennant have reprised their roles as Donna Noble and the Doctor for Doctor Who, stepping back into the Tardis in a major return for the franchise’s 60th anniversary. Tate’s character Donna, who was the Doctor’s companion, originally had her memory wiped in a 2008 episode to save her life after absorbing the “power of the Time Lords.” Tennant, portraying the 10th Doctor at the time, last appeared regularly between 2005 and 2010 but made a surprise return as the 14th Doctor after Jodie Whittaker’s final episode in 2022.
In a new episode titled The Star Beast, Donna’s daughter Rose, portrayed by Heartstopper’s Yasmin Finney, crosses paths with the Doctor and her mother. Despite encountering a UFO, Donna fails to recognise the Doctor due to her previous memory wipe. Donna’s husband, played by Shaun Temple, and Jacqueline King as Sylvia Noble also make a return, adding depth to the story’s emotional stakes.
The episode introduces a fluffy alien called the Meep, voiced by Miriam Margolyes, and brings back memories of Wilfred “Wilf” Mott, played by the late Bernard Cribbins. In a poignant exchange, the Doctor expresses sorrow for Wilf’s absence, adding further emotional weight to the storyline.
As events unfold, Donna joins the Doctor in the Tardis, willing to sacrifice herself to protect her daughter. In a significant twist, the Doctor restores Donna’s memories without jeopardising her safety, thanks to the Time Lord’s genderfluid nature, allowing Donna and Rose to share the knowledge safely. The newly revealed, larger Tardis even features a coffee machine but quickly catches fire, setting up more unpredictable adventures.
The special episode is the first of three celebrating Doctor Who’s anniversary, followed by Wild Blue Yonder on December 2 and The Giggle on December 9. Both Tennant and Tate have previously made comebacks, including during the 50th-anniversary special The Day Of The Doctor. Acclaimed showrunner Russell T Davies also returns for this series. Ncuti Gatwa will step into the role of the 15th Doctor during the festive season, bringing a fresh era to the beloved series.
