People are starting to get hyped up about the BBC’s 50th Anniversary Doctor Who special “The Day of the Doctor,” which will air on BBC America in the States. And why shouldn’t they? There are only a couple of weeks to wait before the special episode hits the schedule around the world on November 23, and the BBC has been great about putting together promotional spots to get people excited about the big release. The latest is short but sweet, but it is far more filled with action and explosions than we’ve seen thus far.
I actually think I prefer the carefully cultivated preview the BBC put out just a few weeks ago, which focuses on some of the key players who will pop up in “The Day of the Doctor.” That trailer features a bunch of shots of frozen people in different time periods and features a voiceover from Matt Smith’s Doctor that sort of leads us into the events that will occur during the special. In his voiceover, he talks about how during all of his lives and pursuits he has fought for peace, but now it is time for a new, impossible day—the day of the Doctor.
The new preview actually seems to be using more clips from the actual episode, though, so that’s pretty cool. There is also a little more of the signature Doctor Who humor in the new preview. A man is “looking for the Doctor,” when the camera pans to a shot of Matt Smith and David Tennant standing together. Tennant’s Doctor dryly notes that the man has “come to the right place.” There have been a lot of nods to the various Doctor’s in each of the promos for the new special, including the excellent photo, below.
“The Day of the Doctor” is set to simulcast in at least 75 countries around the world. Even more compellingly, theaters across the country are airing the simulcast in an awesome 3D version. You’ll have to be in or near a big city to get in on the 3D screenings at theaters, but even without the 3D aspect, the 50th Anniversary special should be pretty cool. Here’s the list of theaters in the U.S. that are holding the 3D screenings.
The November 23 telecast stars Matt Smith (the Eleventh Doctor), Jenna Coleman (companion Clara), David Tennant (the Tenth Doctor), Billie Piper and John Hurt. It should be a memorable episode for Smith, especially, as he is leaving the series at the end of the year, with Peter Capaldi taking over the role as the 12th Doctor.
