Ahead of tonight’s premiere, Doctor Who announces all-star cast for 50th Anniversary

David Tennant and Billie Piper to return for blockbuster celebrations with John Hurt also confirmed

Ahead of tonight’s premiere, Doctor Who revealed some of the all-star cast that will mark the 50th anniversary. David Tennant and Billie Piper will join current Doctor and companion, Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman, while John Hurt (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Alien, Harry Potter) will also co-star.

Last seen as the Doctor on January 1, 2010, this will be the first time Tennant has reprised his role as the Tenth Doctor. During his reign as the Time Lord, Tennant appeared in three series as well as several specials. He was first revealed as the Doctor in the 2005 series finale, The Parting of the Ways.

Meanwhile Billie Piper, who played companion Rose Tyler for two series following the reboot in 2005, will appear in the show for the first time since featuring in Tennant’s last episode, The End of Time in 2010.

Also confirmed to join the cast is John Hurt who will also co-star in the anniversary special that will form part of blockbuster celebrations. Produced by BBC Cymru Wales for BBC One, the 50th anniversary will be written by Steven Moffat and Directed by Nick Hurran.

Filming for the 50th anniversary begins this week in the UK. Meanwhile, Doctor Who returns to BBC America tonight, March 30, 8:00pm ET/PT with eight epic episodes, which officially introduces the Doctor’s newest companion, Clara Oswald, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman. Doctor Who will be immediately followed by the world-premiere of new original series Orphan Black at 9:00pm ET/PT and Chris Hardwick’s The Nerdist at 10:00pm ET/PT as part of BBC America’s Supernatural Saturday.

All-new special, Doctor Who: The Companions, premieres Sunday, March 31, 7:00pm ET/PT. As the Doctor’s newest companion, Clara Oswald, steps into the TARDIS, take a look back at previous companions that have won over the Doctor’s heart in Doctor Who: The Companions. Along the way, companions old and new talk about how the show has changed their lives, and how they've never quite managed to leave the TARDIS behind. Matt Smith and David Tennant are joined by fellow contributors including John Barrowman (Captain Jack), Arthur Darvill (Rory) and Noel Clarke (Mickey).

Additionally, David Tennant’s two-part special Spies of Warsaw premieres on Wednesday, April 3, 9:00pm ET as part of BBC AMERICA’s Dramaville programming block. Adapted by renowned Emmy®-winning writing team Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais (Across the Universe, Tracey Takes On…) and executive produced by Richard Fell (Outcasts), Spies of Warsaw is based on The New York Times Bestselling author Alan Furst’s acclaimed novel. David Tennant and Janet Montgomery (Made in Jersey, Black Swan, Entourage) star in the thrilling spy story set in Poland, Paris and London in the years leading up to the Second World War.

BBC Worldwide reported that there were plans to have the episode broadcast simultaneously around the world:

It's always been our ambition to work with our broadcast partners so that international Doctor Who fans can enjoy the 50th-anniversary special at the same time as the UK. We'll have more details soon about our very exciting global plans for November.

If plans come to fruition this could lead to the episode being the world's biggest drama to be simulcast! A 7pm start would mean that viewers in the United States would see it 2pm EST (10am PST), and those in Australia would see it on Sunday at 6am AEDT and in New Zealand at 9am.

New Zealand broadcaster Prime have announced their intention to show the anniversary episode:

Doctor Who fans! Fear not, we will be playing the 50th Anniversary Special. Phew. However, we are still awaiting details from the BBC which will determine when we can transmit. As soon as we have any more information, we'll be sure to pass it along.

This was followed up with a response on the proposed simulcast:

We haven't had any confirmation that simulcast is the BBC's plan - they have not confirmed that with us. If that is an option, we need to know the time and the content because if it comes in early morning, it needs to have a G rating, when usually Doctor Who has a stronger rating. As we said, we'll pass any new info on as it's confirmed.

BBC show will be enjoyed by millions across six continents in BBC Worldwide global simulcast and cinema extravaganza

Click to tweet: Over 75 countries to simultaneously broadcast #DoctorWho 50th Anniversary special http://bbc.in/16UyK6b via @BBCWpress

BBC Worldwide today announces that the special 50th Anniversary episode of Doctor Who, the world’s longest running and most successful sci-fi series will, for the first time ever, be broadcast simultaneously to millions of viewers worldwide in a global simulcast on 23rd November 2013.

From Canada to Colombia, Brazil to Botswana and Myanmar to Mexico, fans in at least 75 countries spanning six continents will be able to enjoy the episode in 2D and 3D* at the same time as the UK broadcast, with more countries expected to be confirmed within the next month. The US, Australia and Canada have also signed up for the simulcast which will be shown in numerous countries across Europe, Latin America and Africa. In addition to Matt Smith and Jenna Coleman, the one-off special, entitled The Day of the Doctor stars former Time Lord David Tennant as well as Billie Piper, and John Hurt.

On top of the worldwide TV broadcast, hundreds of cinemas in the UK and across the world also plan to screen the hotly anticipated special episode simultaneously in full 3D, giving fans the opportunity to make an event of the occasion and be part of a truly global celebration for the iconic British drama series. Details about tickets for the anniversary screening will be announced in due course.

Tim Davie, CEO of BBC Worldwide comments: “Few TV shows can still lay claim to being appointment viewing but Doctor Who takes this to another level. In its 50th Anniversary year we wanted to create a truly international event for Doctor Who fans in as many countries as possible and the simultaneous broadcast and cinema screening of the special across so many countries will make for a fitting birthday tribute to our Time Lord.”

Steven Moffat, Showrunner for Doctor Who and Executive Producer of the 50th Anniversary episode adds: “The Doctor has always been a time traveller - now he's travelling time zones. On the 23rd of November, it won't be the bad guys conquering the Earth - everywhere it will be The Day of the Doctor!”

The free-to-air 3D coverage will be available to those with access to a 3D TV set and to the BBC’s HD Red Button service. This is part of the BBC’s two-year trial experimenting with 3D production and distribution, which has also included selected coverage from Wimbledon 2012 and the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The 50th Anniversary weekend for Doctor Who in November will also see over 20,000 fans gather at London’s ExCel for the official celebration event which will feature appearances from cast old and new including Matt Smith and former Doctors Sylvester McCoy, Colin Baker and Tom Baker. Further information on the event can be found at www.doctorwho.tv

Since 1963 Doctor Who has been one of the best loved dramas and certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful sci-fi series ever. The show has received numerous awards across its 50 years and has seen huge commercial success with over 10 million DVDs and 8 million action figures sold globally. It is also the number one BBC show on iTunes in the UK. BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the UK broadcaster distributes Doctor Who to over 200 territories across the world.

* 3D television broadcast is subject to availability within global region.

ABC1 is set to join more than 75 countries around the globe to simultaneously broadcast the highly anticipated Doctor Who 50th Anniversary special on Sunday November 24 AEDT (exact time TBC) and repeated at 7.30pm AEDT.

In a first for the world’s longest running and most successful sci-fi series, the feature-length special titled The Day of the Doctor, will be broadcast simultaneously to millions of viewers worldwide in a global television event.

From Cairns to Costa Rica, Perth to Poland, and Adelaide to Angola, Australian viewers will join over 75 countries across six continents as they enjoy the anniversary special at the same time as the UK broadcast.

Brendan Dahill, Controller ABC1 says: “ABC1 is thrilled to be part of this momentous global television event, celebrating 50 years of everyone’s favourite Time Lord.”

Steven Moffat, Showrunner for Doctor Who and Executive Producer of the 50th Anniversary episode said: “The Doctor has always been a time traveller - now he's travelling time zones. On the 50th anniversary, it won't be the bad guys conquering the Earth - everywhere it will be The Day of the Doctor!”

In addition to Matt Smith and Jenna Coleman, the one-off special stars former Time Lord David Tennant as well as Billie Piper, and John Hurt.

Fans will be able to don their 3D glasses and take their enjoyment into another dimension as Doctor Who celebrates its 50th anniversary with special 3D screenings of The Day of the Doctor at 87 cinemas across Australia.

The hotly anticipated feature-length episode of the world’s longest-running and most successful sci-fi series will be screened at Events, Hoyts, Dendy, Village and Independent cinemas around the country on November 24th. In addition to Matt Smith and Jenna Coleman, the one-off 75 minute special stars former Time Lord David Tennant as well as Billie Piper and John Hurt. In this special event to celebrate the iconic British drama series, fans will be able to enjoy the episode and specially shot introductions for cinema audiences all around the world.

Cinemagoers will be able to find their nearest screen by checking participating cinema chains’ websites www.eventcinemas.com.au, www.villagecinemas.com.au www.hoyts.com.au; www.sharmillfilms.com.au

Sharon Wilson, Head of Marketing, Brands for BBC Worldwide Australia & New Zealand said: “Doctor Who is a British TV institution and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to screen this very special episode at cinemas nationwide so fans can have the opportunity to enjoy the episode in full 3D.”

The cinema screenings will follow the global simultaneous broadcast of the anniversary special by more than 75 countries around the world earlier that morning. ABC1 viewers will be among the millions of fans across six continents enjoying the first chance to see the Doctor’s latest adventure in a truly global celebration of the iconic series.