David Tennant isn’t happy that the Doctor Who Christmas specials have stopped. Tennant starred as The Tenth Doctor, from 2005 to 2010, on the long-running BBC series. Doctor Who follows the title character, a Time Lord, as he moved through time and space in the TARDIS. The first version of the Doctor was portrayed by William Hartnell until 1966, when it was revealed that Time Lords had the ability to regenerate in near death situations. Though the character would retain the same memories and skill, the plot twist allowed different actors to play the role of the Doctor. Thirteen performers have been associated with the time-travelling hero overall, though Tennant’s tenure remains popular with fans. His more relatable, joyful approach to the iconic persona has likewise been referenced among critics as a high-point for the series.
Doctor Who has left an indelible cultural imprint, with its holiday specials being a highly-anticipated event for viewers. The special Christmas episodes aired between 2005, when the program was revived with Tennant as the lead, and 2017. The tradition has its roots from the classic era of Doctor Who, with Hartnell even breaking the fourth wall to wish the audience a joyful Christmas, although they became far more frequent in the aftermath of the show’s revival. Loyal fans have their preferences as to which Christmas installment they enjoy most. They’re not the only ones, with Tennant wondering aloud about why the specials have stopped.
In a clip posted by Tytteas on YouTube, which showed Tennant sharing the stage with Matt Smith, the discussion included a moment where the actors reminisced about the Christmas specials. Smith, who succeeded Tennant as the Doctor began by confessing that he would love to appear in only the Christmas episodes for the rest of his life. He elaborated on the desire by saying that he felt there was something magical about appearing on television for Christmas. Tennant instantly agreed, saying he missed the distinction and was quite proud of it. He then asked Smith in confusion, as well as those in attendance, about why Doctor Who no longer ran Christmas specials.
Back in November 2018, it was reported that Jodie Whittaker would not get to star in a Christmas special. Instead, there would be an hour-long episode focused on New Year’s. This has also been the case for 2020. The decision received mixed reaction with support by some, seeing it as a step in the direction of keeping the series fresh. Others felt it would be better to keep a beloved tradition going. Tennant clearly falls into the latter category.
The moment also shows that Tennant and Smith are invested in the series and have their own attachments to it. The discussion between both actors was wide-ranging, and it included lengthy sections about what it was like to hand over the role. Tennant has since moved on to other high-profile portrayals, as has Smith, but their fondness for Doctor Who is evident.
More: Doctor Who: 5 Best Christmas Specials (& 5 Worst)
Source: Tytteas / YouTube
