How Every Doctor Who Got Cast
2. David Tennant (Again)
The story of how the COVID-19 pandemic inadvertently led to David Tennant being cast as the Fourteenth Doctor is a fascinating one.
The chain of events is as follows. Former Doctor Who Magazine writer Emily Cook organised tweetalongs to several popular Doctor Who episodes, to keep fans entertained during lockdown.
After a tweetalong for The Runaway Bride in December 2020, Catherine Tate texted Russell T Davies and indicated she'd be down to do more Doctor Who. RTD loved the idea, and upon learning that David Tennant was also up for it, he informed the BBC.
With the future of the show uncertain and no clear plan in place for Chibnall and Whittaker's successors, the promise of new episodes with Tennant and Tate must've been music to the Beeb's ears. RTD soon agreed to return as showrunner, bringing with him a bold vision for the show that is currently unfolding before our eyes.
The return of David Tennant as an older, weather-beaten incarnation of the Doctor was the perfect way to reinvigorate wider public interest in the show during Doctor Who's 60th anniversary year.