Doctor Who: Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor

Ncuti Gatwa films Doctor Who night shoot in Cardiff

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On the evening of 3 October into the early morning hours of 4 October, Ncuti Gatwa filmed scenes for the 2023 Doctor Who Christmas special as the Fifteenth Doctor at the intersection of St. Mary Street and Wharton Street in Cardiff.

The bulk of the filming for the special was accomplished in February of 2023. As is common for television production, additional scenes (called pickups) were required. Pickups with Millie Gibson were filmed at the same location on 18 September.

The first signs of filming were the lighting truck and the TB LOC sign. TB LOC signs are typically present at Doctor Who filming.

The film crew began their setup.

A fire engine arrived to spray water on the streets.

The TARDIS prop was set up at the location.

Prop posters for Wykefords Circus at Blackheath Common in London were applied to the building exteriors. There have been several hints that a circus/clown theme may run through the following 2025 series following the Christmas special. Wykefords Circus looks like a literal dog and pony show.

To the delight of onlooking fans, Ncuti Gatwa strolled onto the location shoot wearing a kilt as part of his Fifteenth Doctor costume.

The first scene filmed was of Gatwa running and shouting “Get back! Get back! Go go go go. Move!” before looking upwards then crouching to cover his head.

Another scene filmed was of a moving taxi which contained Millie Gibson’s body double and actress Mary Malone, who was announced in Doctor Who Magazine. Malone’s character is likely playing one of companion Ruby Sunday’s (Millie Gibson) friends.

The film crew next went to work assembling a giant snowman head. This appears to be what fell on the Doctor.

Gatwa filmed scenes of the Doctor emerging from the fallen head.

A police officer, played by Billy Brayshaw, who appears to be a fan of the Doctor shows up.

Onlookers provided an excellent glimpse of the Fifteenth Doctor’s costume, one of his four Christmas special costumes spotted on location.

Doctor Who will return in November 2023 with three 60th anniversary specials starring David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor and Catherine Tate as companion Donna Noble titled The Star Beast, Wild Blue Yonder and The Giggle.

Ncuti Gatwa will star in his first full Doctor Who episode as the Fifteenth Doctor in the Doctor Who Christmas special alongside Millie Gibson as companion Ruby Sunday in December 2023.

A new 8-episode Doctor Who series starring Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor and Millie Gibson as Ruby will debut in Spring of 2024.