Doctor Who filming timeline: Everything we know so far about autumn special, regeneration, and 60th anniversary

Jodie announced she would bewith head writer Chris Chibnall, after the pair made a ‘three series pact’.

It was then that the trio of specials were announced and, with two already airing, we’ve got just the one left, which will show Jodie’s regeneration.

In an explosive move that no one saw coming, Russell, who rebooted the show in 2005, announced he was returning to celebrate the 60th anniversary in 2023 ‘and beyond’.

After months of speculation, Sex Education star Ncuti was confirmed as the next Time Lord in the most low key announcement ever.

‘There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling,’ Ncuti said of his role. ‘A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared.

‘This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care.

‘I will endeavour my upmost to do the same.’

Russell confirmed that, before Ncuti’s reign starts, we’ve got a 90 minute special to see out Jodie’s time as the Time Lord.

He said on the Baftas red carpet: ‘She’s got an enormous finale, epic finale, 90-minute finale in October.

‘We’re polite gentlemen, it’s only right and fair to shut up. 2023, you’ll be fed up of us, we’ll be everywhere, but until then, we bow to Jodie and love her and step back.’

There had been rumours but we didn’t dare hope that David and Catherine would return…but here we are.

Russell announced that the duo will return but gave us not much to go on about how that might happen – after all, Donna’s memories of the Tardis and the Doctor were wiped when she left the show in series four.

‘Maybe this is a missing story. Or a parallel world. Or a dream, or a trick, or a flashback,’ Russell teased.

‘The only thing I can confirm is that it’s going to be spectacular, as two of our greatest stars reunite for the battle of a lifetime.’

No more than a day after the Tennant and Tate announcement, we get more news – that Yasmin Finney, best known as Elle Argent in Hearstopper has been cast…as a character named Rose.

Now, this isn’t to say she’s playing the same character as Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler.

Nothing’s been confirmed, but some have speculated that she’s Donna’s daughter. Donna and Rose met in series four and, while she’s lost her memories, it’s very possible she remembered that name was important, even if she doesn’t remember why…

Very soon, it became clear why all the announcements had come so suddenly, as the gang

Some important things to note (and potential spoilers if you’re not into finding those out from set snaps):

David is using 13’s Tardis, and what looks like a brand new sonic screwdriver. He’s also got a totally new costume, leading some fans to believe it’s not the 10 we know and love making a comeback, but something a little different.

Donna’s family is back! Bernard Cribbins, who plays the absolute icon Wilf, and Jacqueline King, who plays Donna’s mum Sylvia, were also spotted during filming. They’ve still got their memories so would be able to recognise the Doctor quickly.

Director Rachel, who has helmed some iconic episodes of Doctor Who, including series eight’s Dark Water and series nine’s Heaven Sent and Hell Bent, is returning to direct the 60th anniversary.

She was spotted on set and confirmed the news on Twitter – after initially denying it – writing: ‘Thank you for all the love, #DoctorWho fandom. Back atcha. Hope you enjoyed yourselves!’

After intense speculation that she would be the next companion, Derry Girls star

However, she and Ncuti are working together on something else, so watch this space!