“Being Given A Big Present”: David Tennant Reveals How Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Return Made Him Appreciate Show More

David Tennant reverently reflects on returning for the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials. Tennant originally played the Tenth Doctor in the series from 2005 to 2010. Now, the beloved Doctor actor returns to the series as the Fourteenth Doctor, who will facilitate the transition between Thirteenth Doctor Jodie Whittaker and Doctor Who season 14’s Ncuti Gatwa in the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials.

Reflecting on his return, Tennant speaks to BBC on their Doctor Who: Unleashed podcast. Tennant explained that when he originally left Doctor Who, he felt like he was “sort of aware that nothing else will be like this.” He described the chance to act on the show as “like being given a big present.” Check out the full quote from Tennant below:

I remember way back sort of leaving the show and saying, “I’m sort of aware that nothing else will be like this,” and I was, but it’s only when you go away from it and then you come back that you realise how true that is. There isn’t another job I have done before that has this much joy attached to it, actually. It is like being given a big present.

Why David Tennant’s Doctor Who Return Is So Important

Tennant and Doctor Who possessed a symbiotic relationship throughout Tennant’s time on the show. For Tennant, acting in Doctor Who was a huge launching point for the actor’s visibility, likely landing him his other notable roles including in Broadchurch and Good Omens. In turn, Tennant was extremely helpful to the revival, as he instantly became one of the most beloved Doctor actors and restored many viewers’ faith in the series.

A lot of the progress Doctor Who made was set back in the Chris Chibnall era. Chibnall was Doctor Who’s showrunner for seasons 11 through 13, and during his time on the show, he produced some of the most controversial episodes. Many were disappointed with how the Chibnall-run seasons altered Doctor Who canon.

By bringing back Tennant for the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials, the series has the chance to bring back lapsed viewers. Tennant reunites with former Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies as he plays the Fourteenth Doctor with the pairing hopefully bringing back the energy from the early days of the revival, as the show continues into the last two Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials.