The BBC has revealed the Doctor Who Series 14 theme music which comes ahead of the three specials airing next month and the debut of Ncuti Gatwa as the 15th Doctor in 2024.
The new theme is performed by the BBC Now orchestra in Cardiff’s Hoddinott Hall for the Doctor Who @60: A Musical Celebration.
Listen below!
15th Doctor’s theme debuted at Doctor Who @60: A Musical Celebration
To mark the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who, Jo Whiley presents a very special edition of Sunday Night is Music Night on BBC Radio 2 – Doctor Who @60: A Musical Celebration, with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the BBC Singers, conducted by Alastair King, celebrating the glorious musical sounds of the iconic and much-loved TV series.
Since its launch on BBC Television in November 1963, Doctor Who has been delighting millions of fans all over the world as they have followed the adventures of the Time Lord. With its instantly recognisable theme, specially composed music has always been at the heart of the show.
The concert features world exclusive first live performances of Ruby Sunday’s (the Doctor’s new companion) theme The Life of Sunday, the theme tune of the Fifteenth Doctor called Fifteenth, and the new iteration of the iconic Doctor Who theme tune, brilliantly reimagined by composer Murray Gold, who was interviewed on the night, as well as fellow composer Segun Akinola.
Fans of the show will also recognise I Am The Doctor, Abigail’s Song, This Is Gallifrey, The Impossible Girl, I Am A Good Man and The Shepherd’s Boy.
There are contributions from showrunners Russell T Davies, Steven Moffat and Chris Chibnall, and also a trip back in time to the classic years of Doctor Who from the 1960s, 70s and 80s featuring the vintage synthesisers of BBC Radiophonic Workshop veterans Mark Ayres and Peter Howell.
Plus there’s a look ahead to the keenly awaited 60th anniversary specials on BBC One later in the year.
Doctor Who @60: A Musical Celebration will be broadcast on Radio 2 from 8-10pm on Sunday 15th October and available to hear on BBC Sounds, and also filmed for BBC iPlayer, to be broadcast at a later date.
Jo says: “As listeners to my Radio 2 show know I’m a HUGE Doctor Who fan, so presenting this concert is a dream come true. How better to mark the incredible 60th anniversary of the show than with this wonderful celebration of the music that has featured across the decades.”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “BBC Radio 2 just had to mark this momentous anniversary of one of our most-loved BBC TV series. We’re thrilled to bring the amazing BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the BBC Singers to the station to play the memorable music of Doctor Who which we know our listeners will love.”
Lisa Tregale, Director, BBC NOW: “Everyone at BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales is looking forward to welcoming Doctor Who fans to our home, BBC Hoddinott Hall, in Cardiff for this special 60th anniversary concert with BBC Radio 2. The stage is set, the Daleks have descended, the TARDIS has landed and all Doctor Who fans are in for a special treat! Tune into Radio 2 or BBC Sounds to hear these classic and brand new Doctor Who soundtracks performed by BBC NOW and the BBC Singers.”
The concert was recorded at the home of BBC National Orchestra of Wales – Hoddinott Hall at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. Doctor Who was relaunched in 2005, and primarily filmed in and around Cardiff.
Radio 2’s My Life in a Mixtape continues the special celebrations in the autumn, when much loved Doctor Who actors will share the music that has been the soundtrack to their life, from childhood through to now.
Ncuti Gatwa exited to play the 15th Doctor
“There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling,” said Gatwa following have been announced last year in May. “A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared. This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care.”
Gatwa added, “I will endeavour my upmost to do the same. Russell T Davies is almost as iconic as the Doctor himself and being able to work with him is a dream come true. His writing is dynamic, exciting, incredibly intelligent and fizzing with danger.”
Russell T Davies is also returning as the new showrunner for Series 14 and said with the announcement: “The future is here and it’s Ncuti! Sometimes talent walks through the door and it’s so bright and bold and brilliant, I just stand back in awe and thank my lucky stars. Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those Tardis keys in seconds. It’s an honour to work with him, and a hoot, I can’t wait to get started.”
David Tennant is also back
The three specials will feature the return of David Tennant and Catherine Tate, with the new 60th Anniversary trailer featuring Neil Patrick Harris who plays the villain.
“This is just the start, as the fever starts to burn. We’re heading for a November full of Doctor Who surprises, for fans and new viewers alike. Stay alert!” said Davies.
Doctor Who returns in November 2023 with three special episodes with David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor to coincide with the 60th anniversary. Ncuti Gatwa’s first episode as the Fifteenth Doctor will air over the festive period.
The series will premiere exclusively on the BBC for the UK and Ireland. Disney+ will be the exclusive home for new seasons of Doctor Who outside of the UK and Ireland.
Listen to the new Doctor Who theme:
