June 30, 2017, 1:15 p.m. Eastern — Story has been updated with additional information and photos.
Though the 12th Doctor is slated to “fall” in this Saturday’s Doctor Who Season 10 finale, “The Doctor Falls,” recent set photos have surfaced suggesting that Peter Capaldi’s 12th Doctor might live to fight another day with the 1st Doctor at his side in the upcoming Christmas Special.
Following rumors back in April, actor David Bradley — who played original Doctor Who actor William Hartnell in a 2013 docudrama — teased that he might assume the role of the 1st Doctor, originated by William Hartnell in 1963. Now, some set photos are seemingly confirming Bradley’s role.
The 2017 Christmas Special of Doctor Who is currently filming, and Doctor Who mega fan George Brown snapped some low-quality photos from the set. Though incredibly blurry, one particular photo — which has since been deleted but permanently stored by overeager fans on the internet — shows what looks like Peter Capaldi standing next to another man with a very distinctive white hairstyle:
The 1st and 12th Doctors working together?
The hair and outfit are identical to that of the 1st Doctor, which means that it’s likely David Bradley’s version of the original Time Lord teaming up with Peter Capaldi’s 12th Doctor.
Here’s a color photo of Hartnell as the 1st Doctor:
The original Doctor, William Hartnell, with his very distinctive hairstyle.
Additional photos that also appeared on Twitter on June 29 showing two TARDISes, which is a pretty clear confirmation of two Doctors:
Two TARDISes appear on the set of the 'Doctor Who' 2017 Christmas Special.
An additional photo shot from a distance shows what appear to be the 1st and 12th Doctors. Note that the 1st has his typical long black coat and white scarf.
What appears to be Two Doctors standing side-by-side in the 'Doctor Who' 2017 Christmas Special.
Continuity-wise, William Hartnell’s final storyline as the Doctor aired back in 1966 with “The Tenth Planet,” an arc that also happened to introduce the Mondasian Cybermen which are also heavily featured in the final Season 10 two-parter.
The going theory is that the upcoming Season 10 finale and/or the 2017 Christmas Special will show the 1st and 12th Doctor uniting against the Mondasian Cybermen while also revisiting the events of the 50th anniversary special Day of the Doctor to save Gallifrey before each of them bows out to die and regenerate.
We’ll have to wait and see if Bradley makes an appearance this Saturday when “The Doctor Falls” airs on BBC and BBC America at 9 p.m. Eastern. If he doesn’t then we’re likely to at least see the 1st Doctor back in action for the 2017 Christmas Special airing December 25.
