Doctor Who 60th Anniversary & Season 14 Deleted Scenes Showcase Emotional Ruby & TARDIS Moment, How Fifteenth Doctor Got His Whistle And More
To celebrate Doctor Who Day, deleted scenes from the 60th anniversary special and Ncuti Gatwa’s first season have been released online. The beloved long-running sci-fi series began on November 23, 1963, introducing viewers to the Time Lord and his TARDIS for the first time. Gatwa made his debut during the ending of Doctor Who‘s 60th anniversary specials in 2023, then led the series as the Fifteenth Doctor for the subsequent seasonal special and season 14.
As November 23 marked the show’s 61st birthday, Doctor Who released a compilation of several deleted scenes from episodes released in 2023 and 2024. Check it out below:
The compilation includes scenes that were cut entirely, such as a tense showdown between Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave) from “The Giggle,” and extended sequences, such as a longer peek at the Bogeyman’s lair in “Space Babies.” The video also features an alternate cut of Sutekh’s reveal from “The Legend of Ruby Sunday,” in addition to several other moments from the recent episodes.
What Doctor Who’s Deleted Scenes Mean For Season 14
Several Moments Address Hotly Discussed Elements
For many of these sequences, it is understandable why they were cut from the final versions of the Doctor Who season 14 episodes. Scenes such as Donna’s family argument and Ruby’s discussion about her past were either reworked or had their vital information moved to other moments. Meanwhile, longer sequences featured in the above video were re-edited and trimmed down, likely to fit the runtime. The decision to adjust or remove those sequences likely came down to storytelling purposes, and ultimately did not impact the finished product too much.
However, there are a couple scenes that would’ve been worthwhile to include in the final episode. The extended ending dialogue from “The Devil Chord,” featuring the Doctor and Ruby and the Doctor’s whistle, would provide some clarity for the audience. The scene explains elements that viewers were left debating when the episode aired. As such, the cut scenes could explain unclear plot points and make the episode as a whole stronger.
Our Take On Doctor Who’s Deleted Scenes
Could It Be The Start Of A New Tradition?
Though deleted scenes can’t compare to full specials when it comes to an anniversary celebration, the newly released Doctor Who footage is nevertheless a perfect reward for those celebrating the show’s milestones. Even when they don’t reveal anything new, or feature genuine substance, each moment does leave viewers pondering what could have been and offer a peek at the unfiltered process behind making an episode.
Furthermore, the new scenes may offer a hint at how the series will celebrate its milestones outside of major anniversaries under the Disney and BBC co-production agreement. Each year could bring some small special release for viewers, even if it’s only a brief 10-minute video. With Doctor Who season 15 releasing next year, the show’s 62nd birthday might offer some extra goodies as well.