BBC announces Doctor Who 60th anniversary multimedia event Doom’s Day

If you were a fan of Doctor Who’s massive multi-media event, Time Lord Victorious, then I have great news for you!

As we all know, this is the Doctor’s 60th anniversary year and later this year there’s big, big plans across the Whoniverse, from the return of David Tennant for the 60th Anniversary specials, with a new Doctor in the form of Ncuti Gatwa debuting in the Chistmas special under the watchful eye of returning Showrunner Russell T Davies, to Big Finish’s audio special event Once and Future, starring Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, David Warner, Michelle Gomez and many others, but adding to that is the new ‘transmedia event’ Doom’s Day.

Announced by BBC Studios, Doom’s Day is an anniversary event starring Sooz Kempner as a new character, Doom, and assassin in the worlds of Doctor Who who is being chased by actual death and has 24hrs – and her vortex manipulators – to find the Doctor(s) and hopefully save her life.

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The event will cross multiple platforms including BBC digital platforms – presumably Twitter, YouTube etc – and will encompass Doctor Who Magazine, Titan Comics, Penguin Random House, East Side Games, Big Finish and BBC Audiobooks/Demon Records and, unlike Time Lord Victorious which was very difficult to follow, it seems that this will be a linear adventure with each bit of the adventure telling one story which will lead up to a grand finale on BBC’s digital platforms.

Tomorrow. Doom’s Day is coming… 🕛 #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/iHRhu4n56O

— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) March 19, 2023

However, one thing that really did get my attention was a quote from showrunner Russell T Davies who said: “Doom’s Day is a huge new adventure for the whole Doctor Who universe – starring the brilliant and hilarious Sooz Kempner as an intergalactic assassin. Her adventures will span comics, audio, a novel, video games stories and more, expanding the world of Doctor Who into brand new territories. Beware the Doom’s Day, it’s coming for us all.”

Why did this get my attention? Well, when Time Lord Victorious was released, it was all very much out on its own, without the BBC really commenting and most certainly then-showrunner Chris Chibnall had nothing to say, however, Davies commenting suggests that this is going to be canon to the main series in a way that Time Lord Victorious, as adventurous as it was, wasn’t.

With Doom’s Day being announced as part of the show’s 60th anniversary, could we see the events being referenced in the main series? Could we see Doom in the show? Or perhaps having events in Doom’s Day leading directly up to the 60th anniversary specials but in a way that doesn’t mean you need to have seen/read/listened to them all?

Wouldn’t that be cool?

We reckon that, while this is another multimedia event, it won’t be as sprawling as TLV but will be more contained and easily and affordably obtained. There is a cost-of-living crisis at the minute, after all.

It does seem that, while TLV featured David Tennant, Paul McGann, Tom Baker and numerous other Doctors, it seems that Doom’s Day will focus on Kempner’s Doom… however, we get the feeling that the finale of the adventure may see her meet one or more Doctors. The official press release below also teases plenty of familiar faces in the adventures.

I just hope the overall event is more impressive than this trailer; sorry, but this is pretty dire:

Look, I’m a sucker for these sorts of events and I really enjoyed TLV and am currently making my way through Star Wars: The High Republic, so I love an adventure that allows you to jump in in several ways, so I’m pretty sure I’ll be at the very least trying this out.

Let me know your thoughts, guys.

Whatever happens, this is going to be a big year for Whovians, it’s just a question of how deep into it you’re prepared to get.

Press Release:

BBC Studios is excited to announce Doom’s Day, a brand-new multiplatform story to celebrate Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary year.

Launching later in 2023, this standalone trans media series will allow Doctor Who fans to follow Doom, the Universe’s greatest assassin, as she travels through all of time and space in pursuit of the Doctor to save her from the ever-approaching Death. She only has 24 hours and a vortex manipulator to save herself before her fate is sealed forever.

Stand-up comedian, comedy sketch artist and actor Sooz Kempner will be the face and voice of Doom, and a number of fan-favourite characters will feature along her journey.

Russell T Davies says: “Doom’s Day is a huge new adventure for the whole Doctor Who universe – starring the brilliant and hilarious Sooz Kempner as an intergalactic assassin. Her adventures will span comics, audio, a novel, video games stories and more, expanding the world of Doctor Who into brand new territories. Beware the Doom’s Day, it’s coming for us all.”

Doctor Who’s universe [Whoniverse] is about to get much, much bigger

Sooz Kempner says: “To be part of the Doctor Who universe, a British institution up there with cups of tea and James Bond, is surreal and amazing! I love everything about Doom and can’t believe I get to travel across time and space with her.”

Doom’s Day will kick off on Doctor Who digital channels later this year followed by products from Doctor Who Magazine, Titan Comics, Penguin Random House, East Side Games, Big Finish and BBC Audiobooks/Demon Records, each telling a section of Doom’s story.

Each partner will create their own adventures for Doom’s Day, each focusing on one of the 24 hours Doom has left on the clock. The standalone stories will also have an overarching narrative that will play out before the finale which will release on Doctor Who digital channels.

More details on each individual Doom’s Day storyline will be revealed.

Source: BBC