Collected here are the highlights of the Doctor Who televisual programming to celebrate the show’s 50th Anniversary. I haven’t included repeat screenings of stories (channels such as Watch in the UK are currently airing “classic” and “new” Who stories whilst BBC America are screening all day Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Doctor “marathons”). This page will be updated if new information comes to light. UPDATED NOV 22.
The Culture Show presents Me, You And
Doctor Who – BBC Two at 9.30pm
Doctor Who – BBC Two at 9.30pm
Lifelong fan Matthew Sweet explores the
cultural significance of the BBC’s longest running TV drama, arguing
that it’s one of the most important cultural artefacts of modern
Britain. Put simply, Doctor Who matters. He’ll examine how the show
has become a cultural force in its own right and tell the stories of
some of the unsung cultural heroes, who pioneered its innovative music,
design and storytelling.
cultural significance of the BBC’s longest running TV drama, arguing
that it’s one of the most important cultural artefacts of modern
Britain. Put simply, Doctor Who matters. He’ll examine how the show
has become a cultural force in its own right and tell the stories of
some of the unsung cultural heroes, who pioneered its innovative music,
design and storytelling.
The Graham Norton Show – BBC One at 10.35pm
Chat show sees Graham interviewing both David Tennant and Matt Smith on his sofa.
An Adventure in Space and Time – BBC America and SPACE at 9pm ET
This special one-off drama travels back in time to 1963 to see how Doctor Who was first brought to the screen. Actor William Hartnell
felt trapped by a succession of hard-man roles. Wannabe producer Verity
Lambert was frustrated by the TV industry’s glass ceiling. Both of them
were to find unlikely hope and unexpected challenges in the form of a
Saturday tea-time drama, time travel and monsters! Allied with a
team of brilliant people, they went on to create the longest-running
science fiction series ever, now celebrating its 50th anniversary.
felt trapped by a succession of hard-man roles. Wannabe producer Verity
Lambert was frustrated by the TV industry’s glass ceiling. Both of them
were to find unlikely hope and unexpected challenges in the form of a
Saturday tea-time drama, time travel and monsters! Allied with a
team of brilliant people, they went on to create the longest-running
science fiction series ever, now celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Doctor Who Explained – BBC America at 8pm ET
An all-new special, Doctor Who Explained, explores the
mysterious and two-hearted alien who is the Doctor. Through exclusive
interviews with principal cast members from the show’s 50-year history,
including actors who have played the Doctor: Matt Smith, David Tennant, Peter Davison, and Tom Baker as well as actors who have played companions: Jenna Coleman, Karen Gillan, and Freema Agyeman, viewers get an insight to what happens behind-the-scenes of the award-winning sci-fi show.
mysterious and two-hearted alien who is the Doctor. Through exclusive
interviews with principal cast members from the show’s 50-year history,
including actors who have played the Doctor: Matt Smith, David Tennant, Peter Davison, and Tom Baker as well as actors who have played companions: Jenna Coleman, Karen Gillan, and Freema Agyeman, viewers get an insight to what happens behind-the-scenes of the award-winning sci-fi show.
SATURDAY NOV 23
The Day of the Doctor – Worldwide at 19.50 GMT
The Doctors embark on their greatest adventure in this 50th anniversary special. In 2013, something
terrible is awakening in London’s National Gallery; in 1562, a murderous
plot is afoot in Elizabethan England; and somewhere in space an ancient
battle reaches its devastating conclusion. All of reality is at stake
as the Doctor’s own dangerous past comes back to haunt him.
terrible is awakening in London’s National Gallery; in 1562, a murderous
plot is afoot in Elizabethan England; and somewhere in space an ancient
battle reaches its devastating conclusion. All of reality is at stake
as the Doctor’s own dangerous past comes back to haunt him.
The Day of the Fish Doctor – BBC Red Button [Time TBC]
Written and directed by Peter Davison, starring some familiar faces…
Written and directed by Peter Davison, starring some familiar faces…
Doctor Who and the Daleks – Channel 5 at 10am [UK]
Screening of the amazing first Peter Cushing movie.
12 Again: Doctor Who Special – CBBC at 2.30pm
Super fans join cast
members past and present to share their memories of watching TV’s top
Time Lord when they were young. Who was their Doctor when they were a
kid? Which aliens had them hiding behind the sofa?
members past and present to share their memories of watching TV’s top
Time Lord when they were young. Who was their Doctor when they were a
kid? Which aliens had them hiding behind the sofa?
Featuring
CBBC’s super fan Chris Johnson, impressionist Jon Culshaw, Tommy Knight
(Luke Smith), Warwick Davis (Porridge), Neve McIntosh (Madame Vastra),
Dan Starkey (Strax) Louise Jameson (Leela) and the Seventh Doctor,
Sylvester McCoy. We’ll find out about the Doctor himself, the
TARDIS and the famous theme tune as we travel back to a different
dimension with our celebrities as they become 12 Again.
CBBC’s super fan Chris Johnson, impressionist Jon Culshaw, Tommy Knight
(Luke Smith), Warwick Davis (Porridge), Neve McIntosh (Madame Vastra),
Dan Starkey (Strax) Louise Jameson (Leela) and the Seventh Doctor,
Sylvester McCoy. We’ll find out about the Doctor himself, the
TARDIS and the famous theme tune as we travel back to a different
dimension with our celebrities as they become 12 Again.
Doctor Who Live: The Afterparty – BBC Three at 9.05pm
Live
from London’s Southbank, Zoe Ball and Rick Edwards will get the
afterparty started on BBC Three, as they are joined by Matt Smith and
guests to discuss the Doctor’s most epic adventure yet. As soon as
titles roll on BBC One’s The Day Of The Doctor, viewers can join the
current Doctor himself, as well as a host of previous Doctors and their
time-travelling companions in the ultimate celebration of 50 years of
Doctor Who on BBC Three.
from London’s Southbank, Zoe Ball and Rick Edwards will get the
afterparty started on BBC Three, as they are joined by Matt Smith and
guests to discuss the Doctor’s most epic adventure yet. As soon as
titles roll on BBC One’s The Day Of The Doctor, viewers can join the
current Doctor himself, as well as a host of previous Doctors and their
time-travelling companions in the ultimate celebration of 50 years of
Doctor Who on BBC Three.
Doctor Who:
Blue Peter Party – CBBC at 9.30am
A special programme celebrating the Time Lord’s 50th anniversary, with
an update on the Sonic Device competition, a recipe for Dalek cupcakes
and current Doctor Matt Smith answering viewers’ questions from inside
the Tardis.
An Adventure in Space and Time – UKTV [New Zealand] at 5:50pm
See details above.
SUNDAY NOV 24
Daleks – Invasion Earth 2150 AD – Channel 5 at 10am [UK]
Screening of the second brilliant Peter Cushing movie.
An Adventure in Space and Time – ABC1 at 8.45pm
Screening of the second brilliant Peter Cushing movie.
An Adventure in Space and Time – ABC1 at 8.45pm
See details above.
The Doctors Revisited: The Eleventh Doctor – BBC America at 8pm ET
See above for details.
THURSDAY NOV 14
Buzzcocks: Doctor Who Special – BBC Two at 10pm
AND THE STUFF YOU MISSED…
THURSDAY NOV 14
The Science of Doctor Who – BBC Two at 9pm
For one night only, Professor Brian Cox explores the universe of the world’s favourite Time Lord, Doctor Who.
Brian takes an audience, with the help of celebrity guests, on a
journey into the wonderful universe of The Doctor, in a specially
recorded programme from the lecture theatre of the Royal Institution of
Great Britain. Brian reveals the science behind the spectacle and
explains the physics that allows Doctor Who to travel through space and time. Watch the specially filmed TARDIS scenes HERE.
Brian takes an audience, with the help of celebrity guests, on a
journey into the wonderful universe of The Doctor, in a specially
recorded programme from the lecture theatre of the Royal Institution of
Great Britain. Brian reveals the science behind the spectacle and
explains the physics that allows Doctor Who to travel through space and time. Watch the specially filmed TARDIS scenes HERE.
Buzzcocks: Doctor Who Special – BBC Two at 10pm
David Tennant hosts a special Doctor Who-themed
show with team captains Phill Jupitus and Noel Fielding. Guests include
Bernard Cribbins and Catherine Tate, plus platinum-selling jazz artist
Jamie Cullum and Radio 1’s Jo Whiley. This is a repeat of the show from
2009.
BBC Children In Need, BBC One from 7.30pm
Doctor Who at the Proms 2013 – BBC Three at 7pm
A one hour and fifteen minute highlight show of this year’s amazing concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
show with team captains Phill Jupitus and Noel Fielding. Guests include
Bernard Cribbins and Catherine Tate, plus platinum-selling jazz artist
Jamie Cullum and Radio 1’s Jo Whiley. This is a repeat of the show from
2009.
FRIDAY NOV 15
Doctor Who: Greatest Monsters & Villains Weekend – BBC Three at 7.05pm
The fantastic foes that have gone up against our time-traveling
hero in his first-half century are a huge part of Doctor Who. By turns scary,
funny, iconic, thrilling and on occasions charismatic, they help define the
show’s enduring appeal and fifty years after the Daleks were created, the
monsters of Doctor Who remain an integral part of what makes the series so
special. Doctor Who: Greatest Monsters & Villains Weekend will be
a marvellous salute to those baddies who have blighted the Doctor’s life and
added so much excitement to ours.
hero in his first-half century are a huge part of Doctor Who. By turns scary,
funny, iconic, thrilling and on occasions charismatic, they help define the
show’s enduring appeal and fifty years after the Daleks were created, the
monsters of Doctor Who remain an integral part of what makes the series so
special. Doctor Who: Greatest Monsters & Villains Weekend will be
a marvellous salute to those baddies who have blighted the Doctor’s life and
added so much excitement to ours.
BBC Children In Need, BBC One from 7.30pm
A scene from The Day of the Doctor will be shown. Watch it HERE.
SATURDAY NOV 16
Doctor Who at the Proms 2010 [Repeat]
Watch at 1.05pm
Doctor Who: The Companions [Repeat]
Watch at 2.25pm
Doctor Who Explained [Repeat]
Watch at 3.25pm
SATURDAY NOV 16
The Doctors Revisited begins with Matt Smith, Jenna Coleman (companion Clara Oswald), lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat,
among others, examining the human side of this Doctor and taking a look
at how all the years he has lived have affected him.
among others, examining the human side of this Doctor and taking a look
at how all the years he has lived have affected him.
BBC Red Button content – Night of the Doctor
It will be available all week, watch it HERE.
It will be available all week, watch it HERE.
Doctor Who: Greatest Monsters & Villains Weekend – BBC Three at 8pm
See details above
SUNDAY NOV 17
It will be available all week, watch it HERE
Doctor Who at the Proms 2010 [Repeat]
Watch at 1.05pm
Doctor Who: The Companions [Repeat]
Watch at 2.25pm
Doctor Who Explained [Repeat]
Watch at 3.25pm
Doctor Who: Greatest Monsters & Villains Weekend – BBC Three at 7.30pm
See above
Doctor Who: Tales from the TARDIS – BBC America at 9pm ET
MONDAY NOV 18
Doctor Who: The Ultimate Guide – BBC Three at 8pm
Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman celebrate the 50th anniversary of
the space-travelling Time Lord and take an in-depth look at of one of
the most intriguing fictional characters of all time. With the 50th
anniversary episode, The Day of the Doctor, about to hit our screens there’s a look at all 11 incarnations of the Doctor and their most famous scenes and storylines, an exploration of the many sides to the Doctor and asking what is he really like. Plus, a look at The Doctor’s
many travelling companions and adversaries over the years and how they
all contribute to creating the longest running sci-fi show of all time.
Featuring David Tennant, Paul McGann, Sylvester McCoy, Noel Clarke, Rick
Edwards, Konnie Huq, McFly, Joel Dommett and many more, it’s the best
preparation possible for the 50th anniversary episode.
the space-travelling Time Lord and take an in-depth look at of one of
the most intriguing fictional characters of all time. With the 50th
anniversary episode, The Day of the Doctor, about to hit our screens there’s a look at all 11 incarnations of the Doctor and their most famous scenes and storylines, an exploration of the many sides to the Doctor and asking what is he really like. Plus, a look at The Doctor’s
many travelling companions and adversaries over the years and how they
all contribute to creating the longest running sci-fi show of all time.
Featuring David Tennant, Paul McGann, Sylvester McCoy, Noel Clarke, Rick
Edwards, Konnie Huq, McFly, Joel Dommett and many more, it’s the best
preparation possible for the 50th anniversary episode.
Watch the specially filmed scenes featuring Matt Smith and Jenna Coleman HERE.
Doctor Who: Tales from the TARDIS – BBC America at 9pm ET
An all-new special, Doctor Who: Tales from the TARDIS,
features the series’ actors and producers sharing their experiences and
memories of the world’s longest-running sci-fi show. The special
features exclusive interviews with principal cast members from the
show’s 50-year history, including actors who have played the Doctor:
Matt Smith, David Tennant, Tom Baker, and Peter Davison, actors who have
played companions: Jenna Coleman, Karen Gillan, Freema Agyeman, and
William Russell, as well as the current lead writer and executive
producer Steven Moffat.
The discussion includes how the actors got cast, how the roles changed
their lives, how a ‘regeneration’ is recorded, and how filming the show
in the 60s compares to today.
The Science of Doctor Who – BBC America at 10pm ET
See above.
THURSDAY NOV 21
Blue Peter – CBBC at 5.30pm
CBBC is celebrating 50 years of Doctor Who with the launch of an exciting new Blue Peter Doctor Who competition and two live Blue Peter specials; a must see for all young fans. In an exclusive competition, Blue Peter
viewers aged between six and 15 will be asked to design new sonic
devices for Sontaran Commander Strax, Madame Vastra and Jenny Flint.
Their gadgets will feature in the iconic science fiction series. The
winner will get the unique opportunity to see their gadget in action on
the set of Doctor Who.
viewers aged between six and 15 will be asked to design new sonic
devices for Sontaran Commander Strax, Madame Vastra and Jenny Flint.
Their gadgets will feature in the iconic science fiction series. The
winner will get the unique opportunity to see their gadget in action on
the set of Doctor Who.
Lindsey
and Radzi will be joined by aliens and monsters in the studio and the
audience will be able to design their very own alien live on air. Blue Peter
viewers will have their questions answered by Matt Smith; they will be
able to get ready for the 50th anniversary show by making their very own
cushion (to hide behind); and we’ll help them to host a Doctor Who party by showing them how to make Dalek cupcakes.
and Radzi will be joined by aliens and monsters in the studio and the
audience will be able to design their very own alien live on air. Blue Peter
viewers will have their questions answered by Matt Smith; they will be
able to get ready for the 50th anniversary show by making their very own
cushion (to hide behind); and we’ll help them to host a Doctor Who party by showing them how to make Dalek cupcakes.
Doctor Who at the Proms 2013 – BBC Three at 7pm
A one hour and fifteen minute highlight show of this year’s amazing concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
An Adventure in Space and Time – BBC Two at 9pm
Read Blogtor’s spoiler~free review HERE.
William Hartnell: The Original, BBC Two, 10.25pm
A brief programme that reveals what happened to Hartnell after he left Doctor Who.
The five-minute documentary features rare archive footage and brand new
interviews with many who worked with him, including Carole Ann Ford,
Peter Purves and Waris Hussein as well as Matt Smith, Peter Davison and
Hartnell’s granddaughter, Jessica Carney
An Unearthly Child – BBC Four at 10.30pm
All four episodes from the very first Doctor Who story.
This is great, and saves me scouring the pages of the Radio Times and making a big list. 🙂
Will you be doing something similar for the BBC Radio stuff?
Thanks for this great compilation 🙂
A minor correction though: from the BBC Two schedule (http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/programmes/schedules/england/2013/11/22) it looks like The Culture Show will actually be on half an hour earlier than posted, starting at 9.30pm instead of 10pm.
Wouter
Much obliged, thanks.
Thanks for this. I assume that "Doctor Who: Tales from the TARDIS" won't be shown over here. (Something else for the "fans" to moan about then!)