Russell T Davies and David Tennant offer a glimpse into the 'startling' Doctor Who special titled 'Wild Blue Yonder'

The prospect of nobody knowing what lies ahead is quite delightful,' Tennant remarks about the second episode of the 60th anniversary.

By M Muzamil Shami

The inaugural Doctor Who 60th anniversary adventure, "The Star Beast," featuring David Tennant and Catherine Tate reprising their roles as the Doctor and Donna, evoked a delightful sense of familiarity last Saturday as they confronted an extraterrestrial menace on English streets. However, the upcoming episode, "Wild Blue Yonder," seems poised to diverge from this pattern.

In an exclusive interview with EW, Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies shared that he recently witnessed a remarkable reaction from the hosts of the show's official podcast. Having just viewed "Wild Blue Yonder," they were evidently left profoundly affected. Davies, who himself is making a return to Doctor Who after an absence of over a decade, expressed his exhilaration at observing the podcast hosts in a state of shock.

"It's akin to witnessing three individuals in sheer disbelief; it stands out as one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life," exclaimed Davies. Reflecting on the usual spirited nature of the hosts, known for their opinions and sass, Davies noted how they were rendered wide-eyed by the astonishing revelations of the episode.

     "Doctor Who" - Photo: Disney+/BBC

Ahead of its premiere, various details about "The Star Beast" were extensively publicized. This included the highly anticipated return of Tennant and Tate, the casting revelation of Yasmin Finney as Donna's daughter Rose, and the introduction of an ostensibly charming extraterrestrial entity known as "The Meep." In stark contrast, "Wild Blue Yonder" remains shrouded in secrecy, a situation that suits Davies perfectly.

Davies expresses his commitment to maintaining the element of surprise until the episode airs, pondering the feasibility of such secrecy in the current era. He remarks, "Can we do that in this day and age? Is that remotely possible? So far! So far, we’ve managed it. Even the very first scene is a surprise."

Teasing the nature of the episode, the showrunner hints at its distinctive qualities, labeling it as "a much more weird story, set far away from earth, a very mysterious episode." He characterizes it as peculiar, ominous, and boundary-pushing, pushing the show into unexplored territories.

Tennant echoes the sentiment of delight, emphasizing the rarity of keeping the episode's details under wraps. Reflecting on the filming process, he notes, "It was the only [show] where we didn’t leave the studio," highlighting the usual challenges of filming on location due to the enthusiasm of observant Doctor Who fans. He relishes the unique opportunity to present an episode entirely indoors, avoiding any pre-announcement and maintaining an unusual level of secrecy in the Doctor Who universe.

As for hints about the content, Tennant playfully shares, "Um, what can I tell you, what’s a nice little teaser? There’s a very fun scene with an apple very early on!"

Scheduled to premiere on Disney+ on November 2, "Wild Blue Yonder" promises an intriguing and enigmatic addition to the Doctor Who saga.