The BBC has unveiled a new theme tune for long-running TV series Doctor Who, ahead of a concert celebrating its 60th anniversary.
To mark the occasion, radio presenter Jo Whiley will host a 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.
Ahead of the programme, which will be broadcast on Radio 2 from 8pm to 10pm on Sunday, the BBC has released a clip teasing the new theme tune.
THIS IS WORLD PREMIERE OF THE NEW DOCTOR WHO THEME TUNE!!!🚨
Tune in for the iconic Doctor Who Theme, performed by BBC NOW at Doctor Who @60: A Musical Celebration!
Full concert on @BBCSounds🚀🎶@BBCRadio2 @jowhiley #DoctorWho60 @bbcdoctorwho @BBCWales @bbcstudios pic.twitter.com/TQtbWtimwU
— BBC NOW (@BBCNOW) October 12, 2023
Doctor Who will return for three special episodes this November, featuring David Tennant as the 14th doctor and Catherine Tate playing his sidekick Donna Noble, to coincide with the celebrations.
The first of the three specials will be titled The Star Beast, the second is Wild Blue Yonder and the third is The Giggle.
Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa will take over as the Time Lord after the three specials, and will star alongside Coronation Street actress Millie Gibson, who is playing the Doctor’s companion Ruby Sunday.
The series will also include RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon, Heartstopper actress Yasmin Finney and American actor Neil Patrick Harris.
📢: THIS IS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF THE NEW DOCTOR WHO THEME TUNE!!! pic.twitter.com/UFs6xDOvx5
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) October 12, 2023
Actress Miriam Margolyes, who has starred in Blackadder, Babe and the Harry Potter films, will appear in the anniversary specials as the voice behind Meep, the creature adapted from The Star Beast comic strip.
The series revamp sees It’s A Sin writer Russell T Davies return as showrunner, the man behind the 2005 revival of the long-running BBC show, succeeding Chris Chibnall who introduced Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor.
Doctor Who will air on the BBC in the UK and Ireland, while streaming platform Disney+ will show episodes to audiences elsewhere.
Doctor Who @60: A Musical Celebration will be available on BBC Sounds after it has been broadcast and has also been filmed for BBC iPlayer.
The series, which follows a time-travelling Time Lord as they journey through space and time, celebrates its 60th anniversary on November 23.