David Tennant’s Response to Remarkable Doctor Who Plot Twist

David Tennant and Russell T Davies have responded to the stunning and controversial twist unveiled in the recent episode of Doctor Who.

The pivotal moment unfolded in “The Giggle,” marking the final installment of three anniversary specials within the beloved BBC sci-fi series.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Doctor Who – proceed at your own risk!

As anticipated, the episode witnessed Tennant’s iteration of the Doctor undergoing regeneration, setting the stage for Ncuti Gatwa to assume the role as the 15th incarnation of the Time Lord.

However, in an unprecedented departure for Doctor Who, Tennant’s Doctor doesn’t vanish but rather divides into two, with Gatwa’s Doctor emerging from his form and existing independently.

Enthusiasts have speculated that this move might enable Tennant to persist in portraying the Doctor in spin-off projects, while Gatwa takes charge of the primary Doctor Who narrative. Nonetheless, given the twist’s deviation from established lore, it has sparked division among the show’s fanbase.

Tennant, joined by series showrunner Russell T Davies and producer Phil Collinson, recorded an in-depth commentary for the episode, now available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.

“It was a tightly controlled environment,” recounted showrunner Russell T Davies as the regeneration scene unfolds on screen. “There will be a significant number of viewers unaware of what’s about to transpire. The vast majority. And it plays with their expectations so profoundly here.”

Davies mentioned that handling the special effect where Tennant’s character is torn in two proved to be “quite challenging.”

Collinson explained that they experimented with various versions of the scene, including some where he was “torn apart,” but those were considered “too graphic.”

Discussing Gatwa’s introduction, Tennant remembered, “He simply walked on and started. It was a delightful moment,” the Scottish actor added.

In a four-star review of the episode, Ed Power pondered, “The pivotal question revolves around what this means for Gatwa’s tenure as the Doctor. Tennant’s 14th Doctor has departed to recuperate with Donna and her family, seemingly grappling with interstellar PTSD. However, he remains present and could make a comeback at any moment – an intriguing and distinctly Marvel-esque twist (perhaps not coincidental as Disney+ gains global distribution rights for the franchise).

“This also suggests that the BBC may not entirely trust Gatwa to solely helm the sci-fi flagship. Nonetheless, the Sex Education star seems unperturbed. Even without trousers, he exudes a devilishly enjoyable performance – retaining the essence of the Doctor we adore while adding enough charm to make the character his own. He’s exceptional – for now, let’s extend our trust to Davies and Tennant and observe how this strategy of having two Doctors unfolds.”

Doctor Who is accessible for streaming on BBC iPlayer, inclusive of the video commentary.