301 – "The Star Beast"
Doctor Who episode
Promotional poster
Cast
Others
Production
Directed byRachel Talalay
Written byRussell T Davies, from a story by Pat Mills and Dave Gibbons
Script editorScott Handcock
Produced byVicki Delow
Executive producer(s)
Music byMurray Gold
Series2023 specials
Running time57 minutes
First broadcast25 November 2023 (2023-11-25)
Chronology
← Preceded by
"The Power of the Doctor"		 Followed by →
"Wild Blue Yonder"

"The Star Beast" is the first of three hour-long special episodes of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, marking its 60th anniversary. Based on a comic written by Pat Mills and Dave Gibbons for Doctor Who Magazine in 1980, the episode was written by returning head writer and showrunner Russell T Davies, directed by Rachel Talalay, and was first broadcast on BBC One on 25 November 2023. It serves as the reintroductions of David Tennant as The Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble, with Tennant making his first regular appearance as the Fourteenth Doctor, having previously played the Tenth Doctor during Davies' original tenure as showrunner, last seen in the 50th anniversary special "The Day of the Doctor" (2013), while Tate reprises her role as Donna Noble. The episode also sees the return of Jacqueline King as Sylvia Noble and Karl Collins as Shaun Temple with newcomer Yasmin Finney as Rose Noble, and guest starring Miriam Margolyes as the voice of The Meep.

The episode focuses on the newly-regenerated Doctor being drawn back to the life of former companion Donna Noble, whose memory he was forced to wipe after her human mind became overwhelmed by the Time Lord knowledge in "Journey's End" (2008). Upon his arrival to modern-day London, he is caught in a fight to the death when a spaceship crash-lands, with an alien army of Wrarth Warriors pursuing a small furry creature known as the Meep.

"The Star Beast" is the first Doctor Who episode to be led by Davies and Julie Gardner since the two-part Christmas special "The End of Time" (2009–2010) and marks the return of former producer Phil Collinson, who left the programme after the conclusion of the fourth series, as an executive producer. Composer Murray Gold also returns to the series for the first time since the 2017 Christmas special "Twice Upon a Time". It is also the first regular episode of the revived era to be broadcast on Saturday since the tenth series finale "The Doctor Falls" (2017). The episode was watched by 7.76 million viewers, the highest viewing figures for the show since "The Tsuranga Conundrum" (2018), and received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the representation of a transgender character along with Tennant and Tate's reintroduction to the series,[1][2] although some were critical of the resolution to the metacrisis storyline.[3][4][5]

Plot

Following his regeneration, the Fourteenth Doctor lands at Camden Market in London where he comes across Donna Noble, who still does not remember him. He also meets Donna's teenage daughter, Rose, and husband, Shaun Temple. An apparently crashing spaceship streaks across the sky, noticed by all except Donna, and Shaun drives the Doctor to its landing site in North London. Meeting with UNIT scientist Shirley Anne Bingham, the Doctor explains his confusion as to why he resembles his tenth incarnation and his re-entry into Donna's life, believing the two events are connected. Shirley sends in a UNIT squad to investigate the spaceship, only for them to be controlled by a swirling rainbow entity. A friend of Rose tells her of an escape pod from the ship landing near her home and she soon encounters a small furry creature called the Meep. Rose's friend later encounters the menacing and bug-like Wrarth Warriors, who are hunting the Meep.

Rose hides the Meep in the shed where she keeps homemade stuffed toys she makes for her online business, but Donna discovers it just as the Doctor arrives at her house and is confronted by an angry Sylvia. Shaun's return home defuses the situation and together they learn of the Meep's history – it states it has two hearts (like the Doctor), and claims the Wrarth are hunting it for its fur.

The UNIT squad and the Wrarths arrive, and a fight breaks out between them. The Doctor gets the Meep and Donna's family out, but realises the Wrarth are not using lethal force. He holds a trial with the Meep and two Wrarths, with the latter revealing the Meep's home world was afflicted by a sun which turned its entire species into vicious beings and that the Meep is the last of its kind, attempting to rule the universe. The Meep drops its kindly façade, kills the Wrarths and reveals the possessed UNIT soldiers are under its control. It also threatens to kill the Doctor and Donna's family, but he suggests there being two two-hearted aliens in London at once is part of the Wrarth plan and so the Meep accepts his suggestion that they all be taken hostage instead.

The Meep plans to escape Earth with its new soldiers at the cost of incinerating London. The Doctor and Donna's family are rescued by Shirley. The Doctor and Donna (the latter of whom is starting to remember her past) set off to stop the Meep. Trapped within the spaceship and running out of time, the Doctor is forced to reawaken Donna's memories, and the two manage to shut down the Meep's ship. To the Doctor's surprise, Donna does not die; with Rose's birth, Donna had passed down part of the metacrisis into her, awakening some memories of the Doctor within Rose, whose shed and the stuffed toys were subconscious imitations of the TARDIS and the aliens her mother had encountered with the Doctor. The Meep is captured by the Wrarths, while Donna and Rose expel the rest of the metacrisis from their bodies. Before being taken away, the Meep gives a cryptic warning about its boss being interested in the Doctor.

The Doctor suggests Donna join him on one last trip to visit Wilfred Mott, Donna's grandfather and a former companion and friend of the Doctor. However, Donna spills coffee on the TARDIS console, causing it to go haywire and begin to dematerialise. The Doctor remarks the TARDIS could be taking them anywhere in time and space.

Production

Development

Russell T Davies, who returned to Doctor Who as showrunner and lead writer for the 60th anniversary specials and series beyond

In July 2021, the BBC announced that Chris Chibnall, who served as executive producer and showrunner of the series since 2018, would leave the series after a run of specials in 2022, alongside Thirteenth Doctor star Jodie Whittaker.[6] The future of the programme was first teased by Piers Wenger on 25 August 2021, when he said an upcoming change for Doctor Who would be "radical".[7]

The episode commences the fourth era of production in the revived series, following Davies' first tenure as executive producer from 2005 to 2010, Steven Moffat's from 2010 to 2017 and Chris Chibnall's from 2018 to 2022.

On 24 September 2021, it was announced Russell T Davies would return to Doctor Who as showrunner, after having done so from 2005 to 2010 for the Ninth and Tenth Doctors, succeeding Chibnall for the show's 60th anniversary in 2023 and beyond.[8] Davies was joined by the Bad Wolf production company, which was founded by fellow former Doctor Who executive producer Julie Gardner and former BBC head of drama Jane Tranter.[9] Bad Wolf also took over creative control of Doctor Who beginning with the special, allowing BBC Studios to focus on establishing Doctor Who as a global brand.[10]

Phil Collinson, Gardner and Tranter all returned to the show as executive producers, alongside newcomer Joel Collins.[11] Davies confirmed by March 2022 that pre-production had begun at Bad Wolf Studios in Cardiff.[12] Tim Hodges edited the specials.[13]

Beep the Meep as originally depicted in "The Star Beast" by Pat Mills and Dave Gibbons; Doctor Who Magazine, published by Marvel UK.

The story is based on the comic strip "The Star Beast" written by Pat Mills[14] and illustrated by Dave Gibbons that appeared in Doctor Who Weekly in 1980, in which the Fourth Doctor had faced off against Beep the Meep,[15] and was adapted into an audio story by Big Finish Productions in 2019.[16] Gibbons said that Doctor Who paid him and Mills to use the story, even though the show could have used the characters regardless.[14]

Casting

David Tennant and Catherine Tate both returned to the series as part of the 60th anniversary specials.[17] Tennant appeared as the Fourteenth Doctor for the first time, while Tate reprised her role as Donna Noble.[18]

On 25 December 2022, it was announced that Jacqueline King and Karl Collins were also set to return as Sylvia Noble and Shaun Temple, respectively, having last appeared in the final story of Tennant's tenure as the Tenth Doctor, "The End of Time", and that Ruth Madeley would appear as Shirley Anne Bingham.[19][20] Yasmin Finney joined the cast for the anniversary to portray a character named Rose.[21] The BBC later confirmed the surname of the character to be Noble, revealing that Finney would play the daughter of Donna and Shaun.[22][23] On 14 September 2023, Miriam Margolyes was announced to be joining the cast as the voice of the Meep.[24]

Filming

Rachel Talalay returned to direct the first special,[25] having previously directed every series finale of Peter Capaldi's era, as well as the 2017 Christmas special "Twice Upon a Time". Filming for the specials commenced in May 2022, and wrapped at the end of July that year.[26]

Broadcast and reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer)93%[27]
Review scores
SourceRating
Empire[28]
The Independent[29]
The Guardian[30]
The Daily Telegraph[31]
the i[32]

Broadcast

"The Star Beast" was broadcast on 25 November 2023 as the first of the three 2023 specials, filmed for the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who.[33] The episode had its press release and premiere on 6 November at Battersea Power Station in London.[34][35] The episode also had a special screening as part of the anniversary celebrations on 23 November at the Royal Television Society in Cardiff.[36]

Ratings

"The Star Beast" was watched by 5.08 million viewers overnight, making it the highest overnight viewership since "Resolution" (2019), which received 5.15 million overnight viewers, and the second-most watched programme of the night, behind Strictly Come Dancing but beating ITV1's I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Additionally, the special became the biggest launch for a British television drama series of 2023 so far.[37][38] Consolidated figures gave a figure of 7.61 million viewers, the highest ratings since "The Tsuranga Conundrum" (2018) which received 7.76 million viewers. It was the tenth most watched programme of the week.[39][40] The episode received an Appreciation Index score of 84, the highest since "World Enough and Time" (2017).[41][42] On 14 December 2023, Davies announced on Instagram that the episode had now reached 9 million viewers officially.[43]

Critical reception

"The Star Beast" was met with positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator website, 93% of 28 critics gave "The Star Beast" a positive review. The site's consensus reads "A lively romp that reunites David Tennant and Catherine Tate, 'The Star Beast' returns fan-favorite characters for a nostalgic adventure that hints at Doctor Who's broader reinvention."[27]

The Guardian's Jack Seale rated the special a 4/5, describing it as being "fun, light and fast", and praising the episode's handling of the transgender community as "tender" and "gloriously, air-punchingly affirmative".[15] Anita Singh, writing in The Sunday Telegraph, criticised the episode's pro-transgender stance but gave it 4/5 and said that it was "... a perfect re-entry for a franchise that needs to win back public affection."[44] Writing for The Independent, Ed Power praised the episode's 'back to basics' approach after the convoluted Chibnall era, in particular singling out Tennant's performance as the Fourteenth Doctor.[45] The BBC's Neil Armstrong gave the episode a more mixed review, describing the special as filled with fan-pleasing material but unlikely to win over new viewers, with its focus on progressive views being labelled as "preachy".[46]

The BBC received 144 complaints from viewers who said the inclusion of transgender character Rose was "inappropriate", despite positive reviews of the episode.[47][48]

Home media

"The Star Beast", along with the other two specials "Wild Blue Yonder" and "The Giggle", were released on home media on 18 December 2023.[49]

In print

The Star Beast
AuthorGary Russell
SeriesDoctor Who book:
Target novelisations
PublisherBBC Books
Publication date
30 November 2023 (eBook)
11 January 2024 (paperback)
1 February 2024 (audiobook)
Pages160
ISBN978-1-785-94845-9

A novelisation of the episode, written by Gary Russell, was released as an eBook on 30 November 2023[50] and was released in paperback on 11 January 2024 as part of the Target Collection[51] and as an audiobook read by Jacqueline King on 1 February 2024.[52]

References

  1. ↑ "Doctor Who: The Star Beast review – David Tennant is back and gloriously eccentric". The Independent. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  2. ↑ "Doctor Who: The Star Beast – 60th anniversary special recap | Television & radio | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  3. ↑ DWTV (30 November 2023). "2nd Opinion, Take 2 "The Star Beast" – Mixed Messaging | Doctor Who TV". Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  4. ↑ "Doctor Who: The Star Beast spoiler-filled review – this 'epic, action-packed' episode finds the show on top form again". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  5. ↑ "Doctor Who: The Star Beast first look review – the first 60th anniversary special is a 'whimsical' affair". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  6. ↑ Kanter, Jane (29 July 2021). "'Doctor Who': Jodie Whittaker & Showrunner Chris Chibnall Are Leaving Iconic Sci-Fi Series, BBC Confirms". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  7. ↑ Holmes, Martin (26 August 2021). "BBC Boss Promises 'Radical' Change for 'Doctor Who' After Jodie Whittaker Exits". TVInsider. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  8. ↑ Fullerton, Huw (24 September 2021). "Russell T Davies to return as Doctor Who showrunner". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  9. ↑ "Doctor Who: Russell T Davies returns as programme showrunner". BBC News. 24 September 2021. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  10. ↑ Craig, David (2 November 2021). "Doctor Who will "radically build" on success as Bad Wolf assumes 'creative control'". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  11. ↑ TVZone (9 November 2022). "DOCTOR WHO: SERIES 14 UPDATES AND PRODUCTION TEAM CONFIRMED". TVZoneUK. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  12. ↑ Sarrubba, Stefania (3 March 2022). "Doctor Who's Russell T Davies teases return as season 14 production begins". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  13. ↑ "Doctor Who 60th Anniversary specials: new details". 13 December 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  14. 1 2 Fullbrook, Danny (29 November 2023). "Doctor Who monster creator thrilled with new adaptation". BBC. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  15. 1 2 Seale, Jack (25 November 2023). "Doctor Who: The Star Beast review – David Tennant and Catherine Tate have got this show flying again". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  16. ↑ Gooden, Tai (25 November 2023). "Doctor Who's Beep the Meep and the Wrarth Warriors Comic and Big Finish Origins, Explained". Nerdist. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  17. ↑ "Doctor Who: Here they come". Doctor Who. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  18. ↑ "David Tennant and Catherine Tate return to Doctor Who". Doctor Who. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  19. ↑ "60th filming reveals who Yasmin Finney's Rose is". Doctor Who TV. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  20. ↑ "Doctor Who 60th anniversary trailer - Merry Christmas and a very Happy Who Year". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  21. ↑ "Heartstopper's Yasmin Finney Joins 60th Cast as "Rose"". Doctor Who TV. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  22. ↑ Hibbs, James (30 August 2023). "Doctor Who confirms Yasmin Finney plays Donna's daughter, teases her debut". Radio Times. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  23. ↑ Graham-Lowery, Nathan (19 August 2023). "New Companion Rose's Future Beyond Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials Seemingly Revealed". ScreenRant. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  24. ↑ "Miriam Margolyes Joins Doctor Who". Doctor Who. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  25. ↑ Busch, Jenna (17 May 2022). "Director Rachel Talalay Confirms Doctor Who Return For 60th Anniversary". Slash Film. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  26. ↑ Ball, David (2 December 2023). "'You've got all time and space': B.C. director says making Doctor Who's 60th-year special was 'intimidating'". CBC. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  27. 1 2 "Doctor Who: The Star Beast". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  28. ↑ King, Jordan (24 November 2023). "Doctor Who: The Star Beast Review". Empire. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  29. ↑ Power, Ed (26 November 2023). "Doctor Who: The Star Beast review – David Tennant is back and gloriously eccentric". The Independent. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  30. ↑ Belam, Martin (25 November 2023). "Doctor Who: The Star Beast – 60th anniversary special recap". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  31. ↑ Singh, Anita (25 November 2023). "Doctor Who: The Star Beast, review: David Tennant's return is a rollicking, family-friendly delight". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  32. ↑ Kelly, Stephen (25 November 2023). "Doctor Who: The Star Beast review: Tennant makes every other Doctor an imposter". The i. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  33. ↑ "Doctor Who's 60th Anniversary TX Dates Revealed!". BBC. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  34. ↑ "The TARDIS has touched down at @batterseapwrstn for tonight's #DoctorWho 60th anniversary premiere! ❤️❤️➕⚡️". Instagram. 6 November 2023. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  35. ↑ "Doctor Who special 'The Star Beast' screens in London". CultBox. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  36. ↑ "DOCTOR WHO: 60TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING AND CELEBRATION". Royal Television Society. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  37. ↑ "Doctor Who: The Star Beast becomes biggest drama launch of 2023". Radio Times. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  38. ↑ Anderton, Joe (27 November 2023). "Doctor Who 60th anniversary special sets ratings record". Digital Spy. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  39. ↑ "Ratings Update". Doctor Who News. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  40. ↑ Griffin, Louise. "Doctor Who's The Star Beast becomes highest rated episode in 5 years". Radio Times. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  41. ↑ "Doctor Who News - The Star Beast: Initial Audience Reaction". Doctor Who News. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  42. ↑ "Doctor Who's Return Is Biggest UK Drama Launch of the Year (So Far)". Gizmodo. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  43. ↑ "9m viewers so far, officially, THE STAR BEAST, on iPlayer and Disney+ worldwide now! Meep meep! @bbcdoctorwho ♥️♥️➕🐰". Instagram. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  44. ↑ Singh, Anita (26 November 2023). "Gender lectures can't spoil a Time Lord treat". The Sunday Telegraph. No. 3, 257. p. 3. ISSN 0307-1235.
  45. ↑ "Doctor Who: The Star Beast review – David Tennant is back and gloriously eccentric". The Independent. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  46. ↑ Armstrong, Neil (20 November 2023). "Doctor Who: The Star Beast first look review – the first 60th anniversary special is a 'whimsical' affair". BBC.
  47. ↑ Kanter, Jake (8 December 2023). "'Doctor Who' Gets More Than 100 Complaints Over "Inappropriate" Transgender Character". Deadline. Retrieved 9 December 2023. The BBC have stated after evaluating complaints that "As regular viewers of Doctor Who will be aware, the show has and will always continue to proudly celebrate diversity and reflect the world we live in. We are always mindful of the content within our episodes."
  48. ↑ "BBC responds to complaints about transgender Doctor Who character". Radio Times. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  49. ↑ "Doctor Who 60th Anniversary specials available to pre-order on Steelbook, DVD and Blu-ray". Retrieved 26 October 2023 – via Doctor Who.
  50. ↑ Russell, Gary. "Doctor Who: The Star Beast (Target Collection)". Penguin.co.uk.
  51. ↑ Russell, Gary. "Doctor Who: The Star Beast (Target Collection)". Penguin.co.uk.
  52. ↑ "Doctor Who: The Star Beast" – via www.penguin.co.uk.
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