10 Greatest Doctor Who Moments Of 2023
8. Gatwa Meets Hartnell
With the specials reserved for Saturdays, the centrepiece of the 60th anniversary itself was The Daleks in Colour, the first official Doctor Who colourisation.
It was a brilliant production in its own right, bringing black-and-white Who to life like never before. But for many, it was upstaged by the programme shown immediately afterwards – a repeat of 50th anniversary docudrama An Adventure in Space and Time.
When it was first broadcast in 2013, viewers were surprised to see Matt Smith appear for a cameo opposite David Bradley’s William Hartnell as he prepares to film his regeneration.
Reportedly, writer Mark Gatiss had always intended for the scene to be updated for future anniversaries, with Smith replaced by the Doctor of the day. For the 60th anniversary, a brand-new edit incorporating Ncuti Gatwa was created, allowing him to meet the man who started it all!
It made what was already a moving moment all the more poignant – and, in an instant, created one of the defining images of the 60th anniversary. And top marks for not compositing the Doctor in front of the TARDIS console this time!