David Tennant Loved Working With Matt Smith In 'Doctor Who' 50th Anniversary Special

by UInterviewAugust 19, 2013, 12:00 amNews >

Before Peter Capaldi takes over as the “Twelfth Doctor” in Doctor Who, the beloved sci-fi show is celebrating 50 years on the air with a special anniversary show staring two Doctors – David Tennant and Matt Smith. The special will air on BBC America on Nov. 23. While fans rejoice at the thought of two Doctors in one show, the question of whether two lead actors can share the spotlight remains.

For his part, Tennant expressed nothing but love for his new co-star.

“I had a fantastic time and that wouldn’t necessarily have been the case. I’m coming back onto a show that’s effectively somebody else’s show and used to be mine and that’s potentially quite a weird situation to be in. Going back to something I knew so well and had such fun memories of might have backfired. It’s a quite rare set of circumstances: Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig don’t get to play James Bond next to each other. But actually it felt familiar enough that it was like coming home and working with Matt proved to be a real joy. I hope I’m speaking for him when I say we really enjoyed bouncing off each other and playing sort of two aspects of the same character. It was everything that I hoped it might be and nothing that I feared it could be,” Tennant told Entertainment Weekly.

In May, BBC released a short video featuring the two actors in full Doctor costume. Though they didn’t say much, Smith and Tennant teased fans with a surprise guest.

It has been confirmed that the anniversary special will find the Doctors fighting against Daleks and Zygons, and that the two will be joined by actor John Hurt, who will play yet another incarnation of the Doctor.

Earlier this month, Peter Capaldi was named as Smith’s successor in the title role of Doctor Who. The anniversary episode will mark Smith’s last episode in the role.