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The ], ], and ], amongst other aliens, will feature in some way and the Tenth Doctor and Rose will return, alongside the Eleventh Doctor and Clara.<ref name="Zygon"/><ref name="DigitalSpy17Apr13">{{cite web|first=Morgan|last=Jeffery |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s7/doctor-who/news/a473903/doctor-who-50th-daleks-cybermen-to-team-with-zygons.html|title=Exclusive: 'Doctor Who' 50th: Daleks, Cybermen to team with Zygons?|publisher=Digital Spy|date=17 April 2013|accessdate=17 April 2013}}</ref> Also featuring is ] as afutureoralternativeDoctor, following on from his brief appearance in previous story ]. Matt Smith also hinted that "paintings" will be involved in some way, during a TV interview with ].<ref>{{cite web|first=Morgan|last=Jeffery|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s7/doctor-who/news/a466077/matt-smith-on-doctor-who-future-50th-well-see-what-2014-holds.html |title=Matt Smith on Doctor Who future |publisher=Digital Spy |date=16 March 2013 |accessdate=2 April 2013}}</ref>
The ], ], and ], amongst other aliens, will feature in some way and the Tenth Doctor and Rose will return, alongside the Eleventh Doctor and Clara.<ref name="Zygon"/><ref name="DigitalSpy17Apr13">{{cite web|first=Morgan|last=Jeffery |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s7/doctor-who/news/a473903/doctor-who-50th-daleks-cybermen-to-team-with-zygons.html|title=Exclusive: 'Doctor Who' 50th: Daleks, Cybermen to team with Zygons?|publisher=Digital Spy|date=17 April 2013|accessdate=17 April 2013}}</ref> Also featuring is ] as the "forgotten doctor"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/4921644/doctor-who-50th-anniversary-special-spoilers.html|accessdate=5 May 2013}}</ref> following on from his brief appearance in previous story ]. Matt Smith also hinted that "paintings" will be involved in some way, during a TV interview with ].<ref>{{cite web|first=Morgan|last=Jeffery|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s7/doctor-who/news/a466077/matt-smith-on-doctor-who-future-50th-well-see-what-2014-holds.html |title=Matt Smith on Doctor Who future |publisher=Digital Spy |date=16 March 2013 |accessdate=2 April 2013}}</ref>
The 50th anniversary special of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who is a future episode to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the show. It is to be written by Steven Moffat, who also serves as executive producer with Faith Penhale. It has been described by series producer Marcus Wilson as a "love letter to the fans" and by the Controller of BBC OneDanny Cohen as an "event drama". It is due to be shown on BBC One on 23 November 2013 in 2D and viewers will also be able to watch in 3D. The special will also be shown in 3D at cinemas across the United Kingdom at the same time.
The special will feature the return of the Daleks, Cybermen, and Zygons; the latter are aliens which have previously only appeared in Terror of the Zygons (1975).
Plot
The Zygons, Daleks, and Cybermen, amongst other aliens, will feature in some way and the Tenth Doctor and Rose will return, alongside the Eleventh Doctor and Clara. Also featuring is John Hurt as the "forgotten doctor" following on from his brief appearance in previous story 'The Name of The Doctor'. Matt Smith also hinted that "paintings" will be involved in some way, during a TV interview with Jonathan Ross.
Production
Writing and casting
The film is to be written by Steven Moffat, current head writer of Doctor Who, and produced by Faith Penhale in 3D. On 30 March 2013, a distribution error occurred, and many subscribers to Doctor Who Magazine received the issue five days before the official release date. The issue of the magazine included the official announcement that David Tennant and Billie Piper, who previously played the Tenth Doctor and Rose Tyler in Doctor Who respectively, were lined up to appear in the special, along with actor John Hurt. Excluding flashbacks and archive footage, Tennant has not starred in Doctor Who since his final regular appearance as the Doctor in The End of Time Part Two which aired on 1 January 2010, and Piper has not portrayed Rose Tyler as a series regular since "Doomsday" (although she reprised her role in various episodes of the fourth series and appeared briefly in The End of Time).
Jemma Redgrave is due to return in her role as the Brigadier's daughter Kate Stewart, who previously appeared in "The Power of Three". Hurt reportedly plays "part of the Doctor", forming a "kind of trinity" with Smith and Tennant. At a readthrough of the script taking place on 1 April, the BBC released an image confirming that actress Joanna Page will have a role in the episode. Ingrid Oliver was shown in one of the photo shoots while filming, wearing The Fourth Doctor's iconic scarf.
Production began in April 2013, simultaneous to the airing of the second part of the seventh series of Doctor Who. On 3 April, after Page was photographed in Tudor costume and makeup, Rob Leigh of The Mirror speculated that Page had been cast as Elizabeth I. This was eventually confirmed.
Christopher Eccleston discussed plans for the anniversary episode with Moffat, but eventually declined to return as the Ninth Doctor. Sylvester McCoy, who played the Seventh Doctor, has claimed that none of the surviving actors who portrayed the Doctor prior to Eccleston have been contacted regarding the special. Colin Baker confirmed this while being interviewed on Australian television alongside McCoy and Paul McGann. However, McGann went on to say that he could still be in the 50th but at the last moment. Freema Agyeman and John Barrowman, who played Tenth Doctor companions Martha Jones and Jack Harkness, respectively, have both stated they will not be in the 50th, but may return to the show at some point. Barrowman stated that he would have liked to be in it, but speculated that the producers wanted to try some different things. John Simm, who played the last incarnation of the Master, stated he had not received a call inviting him to be a part of the Anniversary.
The special is due to be shown on BBC One on 23 November 2013. It will also be available in 3D, both via a BBC channel and by cinema screenings as the episode is broadcast on television.