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Doctor Who has broken the record for the longest gap between TV appearances with the return of William Russell in Jodie Whittaker’s latest episode.
The hit sci-fi series delighted longtime fans by bringing back some familiar faces for Jodie’s final hurray in The Power of the Doctor, which aired in October.
Among those returning to the show was William, 98, who starred as science teacher Ian Chesterton, a companion to the First Doctor played by William Hartnell.
He’s back: Doctor Who has broken the record for the longest gap between TV appearances with William Russell’s return to the show in Jodie Whittaker’s final episode
He appeared in 77 episodes during the first two seasons from 1963 to 1965, returning to the show after 57 years for Jodie’s nostalgic final episode as the Doctor.
And his return has broken the record for the longest gap between TV appearances at 57 years and 120 days, the Guinness World Records has revealed.
They announced the record on the BBC show’s 59th anniversary, confirming: ‘The longest gap between TV appearances is 57 years and 120 days, and was achieved by William Russell (UK) as the Doctor Who character Ian Chesterton in the ‘The Power of the Doctor’ episode airing October 23, 2022.”
Philip Lowrie of Coronation Street previously held the record for the longest gap between TV appearances, returning to the role of Dennis Tanner after 43 years.
Original run: He appeared in 77 episodes during the first two seasons from 1963 to 1965, returning to the show after 57 years for Jodie’s nostalgic final episode as the Doctor
William returned to the series as Ian for a brief appearance in the final episode when, in a heartwarming moment at the end of the episode, he attended a support group for the Doctor’s former companions.
As the group all discussed their mutual time-travelling friend, Ian expressed surprise that the Doctor is female, whom Jodie’s version of the character has not met. The Doctor had also not been reinstated until Ian left the show in 1965.
In addition to Ian’s brief appearance, fans of the original show were also treated to the return from ex-companions Ace (Sophie Aldred) and Tegan (Janet Fielding).
Former doctors Peter Davison and Colin Baker also made cameo appearances in the epic as a series of famous faces returned for the nostalgic episode.
Familiar Faces: The hit sci-fi series delighted fans by bringing back familiar faces for Jodie’s final hurrah in The Power of the Doctor. Pictured: William as Ian in the original show
Stars: Among those returning to the show was William Russell, who starred as science teacher Ian Chesterton, a companion of the First Doctor, played by William Hartnell (pictured)
The power of the doctor was also brimming with excitement when Jodie quit after five years as Time Lord, David Tennant returned, and fans saw Ncuti Gatwa as the 14th Doctor for the first time.
The episode came to a very dramatic end as Jodie’s Doctor shockingly made a remake into a very familiar face – David’s 10th Doctor.
Despite not being ready to regenerate, as she watched the sunset, she said, “The most blooming blossom.” That’s the only sad thing. I want to know what happens next.
“Exactly, Doctor whoever I am. Tag, it’s you,” before Tennant made his shocked appearance.
Exciting: The Power of the Doctor was also packed with excitement when Jodie quit after five years as Time Lord
The newly recovered doctor ran his fingers over his teeth and said, clearly bewildered, “I know this one” as he returned to his former body.
David returns for three special episodes, airing in November 2023, having stepped down from the role in 2010.
The sci-fi series’ 60th anniversary celebrations will also see Catherine Tate star before Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa takes control of the Tardis.
The last episode of Jodie ended with a short trailer for the new series, which will hit the screens at the end of 2023.
Surprise: The episode came to a very dramatic end as Jodie’s doctor made a shocking recovery into a very familiar face – David Tennant’s 10th Doctor
The trailer teased Ncuti’s highly anticipated arrival as the star was seen asking, “Can someone tell me what the heck is going on?”
After the episode, Russell said, “If you thought David Tennant’s appearance was a shock, we’ve got plenty more surprises on the way!”
‘The path to Ncuti’s Fifteenth Doctor is fraught with mystery, horror, robots, dolls, danger and fun! And how is it connected to the return of the great Donna Noble? How, what, why? We’ll give you a year to speculate and then all hell will break loose!’
Meanwhile, it was also recently revealed that Ncuti Coronation star’s new companion is Millie Gibson, becoming the youngest ever assistant named Ruby Sunday.
Big changes: The sci-fi series’ 60th celebration will also star Catherine Tate before Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa takes control of the Tardis
The 18-year-old actress made a special appearance at the 2022 Children in Need fundraiser on Friday, live on BBC One, where the news was shared.
In a statement, the star said the new role is a “dream come true” as the long-awaited secret was finally revealed, much to the delight of fans.
“While I am still in disbelief, I am beyond honored to be cast as the Doctor’s Companion,” Millie said in the statement. BBC.
“It’s a gift of a role, and a dream come true, and I’ll do everything I can to try and fill the boots the traveling companions have traveled in before me.”
She added, “And what better way to do that than to be at the side of the fantastic Ncuti Gatwa, I just can’t wait to get started.”
At just 18, Millie is the youngest actor to be cast in the role, surpassing a record held by Matthew Waterhouse, who was 19 when he was cast in Doctor Who in the 1980s.
Ncuti, 30, was recently announced as the new doctor and said in a statement that Millie is “full of talent.”
Co-stars: Meanwhile, it was also recently revealed that Ncuti’s new companion is the coronation star Millie Gibson, the youngest ever assistant named Ruby Sunday
“She’s full of talent, power, she’s got a brutal sparkle in her eyes and she’s sharp as a razor,” he said.
“From the moment she entered the room, she captured all of our attention with her effervescence and then solidified that attention with the sheer power of her talent.”
He added, “This adventure is going to be so wild and so much fun, I can’t WAIT to sail across the universe with Millie!”
Millie made an appearance at the Children in Need fundraiser on Friday, walking through the Doctor Who TARDIS as she took the stage live to share the news.
“This is a dream come true!” Millie appeared at the Children in Need fundraiser on Friday and walked through the Doctor Who TARDIS as she took the stage live and shared the news
“I can’t believe it myself, I’ve had to keep it so secret that this is the first time I’ve believed it,” Millie said.
When asked how she feels about the role, she continued, “It’s insane, I’m so honored that I even got considered for an audition, I just hope I can make you all happy and live up to the others. “
“I’m going to be playing a character called Ruby Sunday.”
The Doctor’s Companion is the character who travels or shares adventures with the Doctor, and Millie will make her debut during the holiday season in 2023.
Star: At just 18, Millie is the youngest actor to be cast in the role, surpassing a record held by Matthew Waterhouse, who was 19 when he was cast in Doctor Who in the 1980s