Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has revealed that there are 'no plans' for David Tennant to return in the new series.
The actor reprized his role as Time Lord for a trio of Specials to celebrate the show's 60th anniversary, with a twist in the third and final episode, allowing The Fourteenth Doctor to embrace a new life on Earth.
Although David's return was praised by viewers and the conclusion has left the door open for him to reappear in the future, Russell has confirmed that new doctor Ncuti Gatwa will be the sole focus going forward.
After making his first appearance in the final special last week, Ncuti will make his full debut in a festive special on Christmas Day, alongside Millie Gibson, who will star as his companion Ruby Sunday.
During a Q&A after the premiere of the festive episode, Russell said: “Sorry, it's the Ncuti era now – it's 'David who?'
Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has revealed there are 'no plans' for David Tennant to return in the new series
After briefly reprising his role for a trio of 60th Anniversary Specials, David has handed over the role to Ncuti Gatwa
'Really, no plans yet as it's a busy TARDIS – these two (Gatwa and Millie Gibson as companion Ruby Sunday) are just going to sail through the universe and capture your heart, so it's time to look at these two.'
Elsewhere, Russell also revealed that when the new series hits screens in 2024, it will feature an appearance from '60s music icons The Beatles.
He said: '(The Christmas special is) completely different from the next episode, isn't it? And then the one after that, that's the Beatles… that's crazy!'
Viewers will see Ncuti make his full debut as The Doctor in the festive special where he encounters Ruby, before the pair encounter 'mythical and mysterious goblins'.
Ncuti made his first appearance as The Doctor in the third and final 60th Anniversary Special, The Giggle.
His arrival came when the 'creepy' recurring villain The Toymaker, played by Neil Patrick Harris, shot David's Doctor through the chest, forcing him to regenerate.
The Toymaker had driven the people of Earth mad before challenging the Doctor to a deadly game – with the planet at stake – forcing the Time Lord to try to save the Earth.
As he shot the Doctor, the Toymaker said, “I played one game with the first Doctor, I played the second with this Doctor, so according to your rules I have to play the third game with the next Doctor!”
While David's return was praised by viewers, Russell has confirmed that new doctor Ncuti Gatwa will be the sole focus going forward.
Ncuti Gatwa will make his full-length debut in a Christmas Day Special, alongside Millie Gibson, who will play his companion Ruby Sunday
His companions Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and the returning Melanie Bush (Bonnie Langford) ran to support him as he recovered, with fans expecting this to be the end for David's character.
Melanie reassured him, “You're going to be someone else, it doesn't matter who, because you're all fantastic!”
As David tearfully said, 'It's time, here we go again! Alonzee', as he expected to be replaced, but in a huge twist, his character continued to exist alongside his new incarnation.
While he was left behind after regeneration, he asked Donna and Melanie, “Can you pull?” This time it feels different,” and as they yanked on his arms, Ncuti shot out of him and the two Time Lords stood in a huge twist next to each other.
During his highly anticipated debut, Ncuti's Doctor shouted, “No way!” as he saw David, turning away from the tradition in which one doctor normally replaces another in regeneration.
David said, “You are me,” while Ncuti replied, “No, I am me.” I think I'm really, really me! Oh-ho-ho, I'm all myself!'
When asked what happened, Ncuti's doctor said: “Two generations, I have two generations. That doesn't exist, two generations would be a myth, but…!'
The pair of Doctors then used their talents to team up to battle The Toymaker and incredibly managed to beat him at his own game, causing the villain to disappear forever.
David's doctor said, “The best of three, and my prize, Toymaker, is to banish you from existence forever!”
'No that is not possible. But I – no fair, please,” said the toymaker, before issuing the ominous warning: “My legions are coming.”
After The Toymaker was banished from the world, both David and Ncuti's versions of the character remained on screen and returned to the TARDIS with Donna.
David asked Ncuti, “How is this going to work, you and me?” while the huge twist left two Doctors left after a regeneration for the first time ever.
Ncuti told him: 'You're as thin as a pin, you're walking on fumes', before urging him to slow down and 'stop' rather than running and traveling in the TARDIS.
Ncuti then paid tribute to a host of former companions, including the late Elisabeth Sladen, who played Sarah Jane Smith and sadly passed away in 2011.
“Sarah Jane is gone, can you believe that?” Ncuti said as they paid tribute to the iconic actress in a loving manner.
Ncuti made his first appearance as The Doctor in the third and final Anniversary Special, when the Time Lord was 'bi-generated', resulting in two incarnations living at the same time.
The episode ended with Ncuti heading off for more time-traveling adventures in the TARDIS, while David remained on Earth with Donna.
Ncuti then told David's doctor to try to have a life of his own, to which David said: “I never let the TARDIS go, never, that would hurt.”
In another major twist, Ncuti managed to transform the one TARDIS into two separate time machines as a 'reward' for winning the match against The Toymaker, according to his rules of games transcending logic.
The episode ended with Ncuti heading off for more time-traveling adventures in the TARDIS, while David remained on Earth with Donna and her family, remarking that he had “never been happier in his life.”
Doctor Who returns on Christmas Day at 5.55pm with The Church On Ruby Road on BBC One and iPlayer.