Two huge Doctor Who favourites return to BBC show amid Ncuti Gatwa 'axe' fears
Two Doctor Who favourites are returning to their roles on the hit BBC show amid fears the programme is in crisis following rumours Ncuti Gatwa was being 'axed' from the role
Two Doctor Who stars are returning to the BBC show amid fears of a 'crisis'. There had been reports of Ncuti Gatwa being 'axed' from the BBC programme, something which was denied by the broadcaster.
It has now been revealed that both Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill - who played Amy Pond and Rory Williams in the Matt Smith era of the show - will return for a special episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed.
Steffan Powell will follow the journey of a string of previously announced Doctors, companions, and showrunners, including Ncuti Gatwa, David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker, Varada Sethu, Billie Piper, Pearl Mackie, Mandip Gill, Steven Moffat, Chris Chibnall, and Russell T Davies as they discuss the secrets from behind the scenes.
Former production designer Edward Thomas and costume designer Ray Holman are also on hand to discuss the exciting moments - both in front and behind the camera - that make the show what it is.
A special hour-long episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed will air on Saturday June 7th at 6am on BBC iPlayer, and air on BBC One Wales and BBC Three later that day, a week after the season two finale of Doctor Who - The Reality War.
There had been reports that Ncuti would be leaving the show after two series when he pulled out of announcing the UK's jury scores at the Eurovision Song Contest a few weeks back.
A BBC spokesperson told The Mirror that Ncuti had not been 'axed' from the show. They said: "Whilst we never comment on the future of the Doctor, any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been 'axed' is pure fiction."
As for whether the series will continue, the BBC explained: "As we have previously stated, the decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs and any other claims are just pure speculation. The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes – and we still have an entire spin off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, to air. And as for the rest, we never comment on the Doctor and future storylines."
Karen left the show in 2012, and at the time said of her departure: "I just can't believe it's real. I have just always thought in my head I am in the show until the final episode airs, so I thought I had loads of time. But now it is approaching. It is a really weird sensation because I can't wait to see the episode and can't wait for everyone else to see it – but I don't want it to air at the same time.
"I was emotional for about two weeks filming the episode and I was crying at everything. Things that weren't even sad, anything would set me off. Everything was already bubbling under the surface. So in my final scene it is not even acting, it is real because I knew I had to leave in real life and I had to leave Matt and Arthur."
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