Yes, this is legit, unlike the previous post about BBC’s plans for the next Doctor. If rumors are to be believed, we could be getting the announcement of the new Doctor in a special Doctor Who Confidential that will air in August, per a report from the Radio Times:
Serious consideration is being given to unveiling the new Doctor on a surprise Doctor Who Confidential as happened with Matt Smith’s unveiling in 2010, with some sources confirming that it will be in August.
It wouldn’t be a shocking move as the Doctor Who Confidential special that announced Matt Smith’s casting was watched by 7.5 million people. Will the BBC go this route? It’s hard to say as they’ve become much more aware of the Who fandom worldwide, just not in the UK (to the dismay of many fans in the UK) and having the announcement made first in the UK, where it would then spread worldwide within seconds, however the same logic hasn’t hurt Doctor Who ratings for BBC America, so again, who knows?
The other interesting point is, would they do a one-off Doctor Who Confidential for the announcement? After the yelling of Whovians after the cancellation of Confidential in 2011, would that be a nice reprieve or pouring salt into a slowly healing wound?
The other piece of news that the Radio Times is reporting, is that contrary to previous reports, and remarks made by Matt Smith himself at this past weeks San Diego Comic Con, we will be seeing a Classic Doctor appear in the 50th Anniversary Special.
According to sources, one of either Colin Baker, Paul McGann, Tom Baker, Sylvester McCoy or Peter Davison will be in the feature length special episode alongside Tennant’s Doctor and the current incumbent Matt Smith.
My money is on Paul McGann, and we get to see him regenerate into John Hurt’s Doctor (still leaving us with a “lost regeneration“, but giving us a chance to see the 8th Doctor again, and leaving no room to question where John Hurt’s Doctor lies within the order of regenerations.) By only really showing McGann for a minute or two, then regenerating in John Hurt, that leaves the comments that the story will only involve 3 Doctors, not entirely inaccurate.
What do you think about this news? The Radio Times is typically fairly reliable. So while taking it with a grain of salt for now, you really do have to consider these possibilities.
