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The fourteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who is set to premiere on 11 May 2024, and is expected to air through to 22 June. It will be the fifth series led by Russell T Davies as head writer and executive producer and the first since his return to the show, having previously worked on it from 2005 to 2010. This series is set to be the fourteenth to air following the programme's revival in 2005 and will be the fortieth season overall. The fourteenth series was announced with Davies' return to the programme for its 60th anniversary in 2023 and beyond, with Bad Wolf becoming a co-producer for the series. The series is referred to in marketing and promotional material as "Season One" following the production changes and the acquisition of Doctor Who's international broadcasting rights by Disney+. The series stars Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, a new incarnation of the Doctor, an alien Time Lord who travels through time and space in the TARDIS, which appears to be a British police box from the outside. The Fifteenth Doctor was introduced in "The Giggle" (2023) through a "bi-generation", in which he split from his predecessor, the Fourteenth Doctor (David Tennant), rather than replacing him. The series also introduces Millie Gibson as the Doctor's newest companion, Ruby Sunday. The series, which was preceded by a Christmas episode on 25 December 2023, will consist of eight episodes, which have been directed by Julie Anne Robinson, Ben Chessell, Dylan Holmes Williams, and Jamie Donoughue. Alongside Davies, who wrote six of the episodes, the writers include Kate Herron, Briony Redman, and former showrunner and head writer Steven Moffat. Filming began in December 2022 and concluded in July 2023, with production moving from Roath Lock Studios to Wolf Studios Wales. Episodes Casting Main characters Auditions for the role of the Fifteenth Doctor started in December 2021, assisted by casting director Andy Pryor. Davies was interested in casting "new talent" and someone "younger", with most of the actors who auditioned under the age of 30. There was also no limit on gender and background, with auditions held for men, women, and one non-binary actor. Pryor said that when casting the Doctor, "you always want someone unexpected... [you want] an actor who contrasts with what's gone before yet still brings those essential qualities that the Doctor has". Ncuti Gatwa was the final candidate to audition for the role. Davies said that the production team "thought [they] had someone and then in he came and stole it", describing it as "the most blazing audition". Executive producer Phil Collinson stated that Gatwa "did things with [the role] that I'd never seen an actor playing Doctor Who do". Gatwa was cast in February 2022, and was officially announced as "the new Doctor" on 8 May 2022. Many reports, including that of the BBC itself, stated he would play the Fourteenth Doctor and that Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor would regenerate into an incarnation portrayed by Gatwa. Upon Whittaker's final appearance as the character, she instead regenerated into a form seemingly identical to the Tenth Doctor. This character, portrayed by David Tennant, was confirmed to be the Fourteenth Doctor, with later clarification that Gatwa would actually portray the Fifteenth Doctor. Gatwa described the role as "an institution", and said that "unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart but I am giving it all to this show." Davies described the Fifteenth Doctor as a "completely new Doctor, and yet a Doctor utterly faithful to the 60 years that came before." Gatwa described him as "emotionally vulnerable... he hides it with humour, but he’s lonely", whilst "always looking out for a new adventure" and "[fitting] in everywhere". Millie Gibson was cast as Ruby Sunday, the Doctor's new companion. Callback auditions were held on 24 September 2022 at the Bad Wolf production offices in London. Davies had his sights set on Gibson thanks to her role as Kelly Neelan in Coronation Street. Davies described her as "brilliant, dynamic, clever and a wonderful actor". Gatwa attended the audition with Gibson. He said that he felt that his Doctor "needed someone that has that same sort of slightly tapped, slightly crazy energy", which Gibson delivered in her audition; and described their pairing as the equivalent to "two troublemakers". On 18 November 2022, during Children in Need, Millie Gibson was announced as the new companion. Gibson said that she "will do everything to try and fill the boots the fellow companions have travelled in before me." Guest characters On 9 January 2023, the BBC announced that Aneurin Barnard would appear as the mysterious Roger ap Gwilliam, and that Jemma Redgrave, having reprised her role in the previous series would continue to appear as Kate Stewart during the fourteenth series. On 20 January 2023, further casting announcements from the BBC revealed that Anita Dobson and Michelle Greenidge would appear as Ms Flood and Carla Sunday. On 3 April 2023, it was announced that Jinkx Monsoon would play a major antagonistic role in the series, called "Maestro". On 5 May 2023, it was announced that Jonathan Groff would play a key role in the series. On 24 May 2023, the BBC announced that Indira Varma (who previously portrayed Suzie Costello in Torchwood) would join the series to play The Duchess. On 7 June 2023, Bonnie Langford was announced to be reprising her role as Mel Bush for the series. On 15 June 2023, Lenny Rush was also announced, to play a "mysterious" character named Morris. Alexander Devrient will reprise his role as Colonel Christopher Ibrahim. On 25 December 2023, the BBC revealed that Yasmin Finney will reprise her role as Rose Noble in the series. On 31 March 2024, the BBC revealed seven new casting announcements: Golda Rosheuvel as Jocelyn, Callie Cooke, Siân Phillips, Bhav Joshi, Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy, Tachia Newall and Caoilinn Springall. Production Development In May 2017, it was announced that due to the terms of a deal between BBC Worldwide and SMG Pictures in China, the company has first right of refusal on the purchase for the Chinese market of future series of the programme until and including Series 15. In October 2019, a deal was made between HBO Max and BBC for an additional two series of Doctor Who, including the thirteenth and fourteenth series. In November 2023, Davies referred to the fourteenth series as "Season One" in SFX 372. Former showrunners Steven Moffat and Chris Chibnall had considered similar titles for their debut series. The Christmas special's title and official airdate was announced via a Disney+ press release on 5 November 2023. In December 2023, Gatwa commented that he was told off for using profanity while in-costume, and that the younger audience of Doctor Who contrasted with what he had become used to from his previous role on Sex Education. Writing In December 2021, Davies confirmed.... Discover the Rachael Herron popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Rachael Herron books.