Doctor Who’s Bi-Regeneration Was An Idea Of RTD’s Years Before The 60th Anniversary

WARNING: Contains SPOILERS for Doctor Who – “The Giggle.”

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has had the idea of the Doctor’s bi-regeneration for ages. Historically, after the Doctor experiences a fatal injury, they undergo a process called regeneration, which allows them to take on a new face to continue on. After the third 60th Anniversary special, however, the Fourteenth Doctor experienced a bi-regeneration, where he regenerated into two different selves. Because of that process, the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Doctors were able to stand side-by-side and interact.

While the bi-regeneration is a new concept for the show, it was not new for Davies. In an interview on the Doctor Who: Unleashed podcast, Davies explained that he has had the idea for a very long time. Having wanted the old Doctor to speak with the new Doctor, he decided to develop the concept in the hopes that it would enable the two Doctors to share an adventure. Check out his full quote below:

Actually, I’ve had this idea for years. I’ve always wanted, instead of going back and meeting old Doctors, I’ve always wanted the Doctor to talk to his new version. And for once, we had a situation where I’m in place with the old Doctor, and the new Doctor. How could you resist? Actually, why has it never been done before? How can you resist the two of them having an adventure at the same time? It’s absolutely joyous. The two of them together are joyous. Two actors and characters meeting like that, it just makes me smile. It absolutely makes me grin. So it was time to do that.

Developing…

Source: Doctor Who: Unleashed