In very welcome news, Doctor Who‘s 50th anniversary is to be celebrated in a special steelbook release, comprising of The Name of the Doctor, The Night of the Doctor, The Day of the Doctor, The Time of the Doctor, plus lots more like The Science of Doctor Who, An Adventure in Space and Time, and The Five(ish) Doctors!
This four-disc limited edition collector’s set includes these special episodes:
The Name of the Doctor
The Series 7 finale, starring Matt Smith. The Doctor has a secret he will take to his grave. And it is discovered…
The Night of the Doctor
Special mini-episode The Night of the Doctor to reveal the Doctor’s dark chapter.
Starring Paul McGann, this BBC iPlayer exclusive will for the first time ever reveal what became of the Eighth Doctor. On the eve of his most terrible battle, the Time Lord is faced with a choice that will change the course of his life. The darkest of days are about to begin.
The Doctor has always been a man of secrets – and now they can be told…
The Day of the Doctor
The Day of the Doctor stars Matt Smith, David Tennant, Jenna Coleman, with Billie Piper and John Hurt.
The Doctors embark on their greatest adventure in this 50th Anniversary Special: in 2013, something terrible is awakening in London’s National Gallery; in 1562, a murderous plot is afoot in Elizabethan England; and somewhere in space an ancient battle reaches its devastating conclusion. All of reality is at stake as the Doctor’s own dangerous past comes back to haunt him.
The Time of the Doctor
The Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith, takes the controls of the TARDIS for the last time in The Time of the Doctor.
Orbiting a quiet backwater planet, the massed forces of the universe’s deadliest species gather, drawn to a mysterious message that echoes out to the stars. And amongst them – the Doctor. Rescuing Clara from a family Christmas dinner, the Time Lord and his best friend must learn what this enigmatic signal means for his own fate and that of the universe.
An Adventure in Space and Time
On November 23rd 1963, a television legend began when the very first episode of Doctor Who was broadcast in the UK on BBC One. 50 years later, An Adventure in Space and Time brings to life the story of the show’s creation and the role in its success of the first producer, director and, of course, the very first Doctor – William Hartnell.
Here’s the stunning cover art by Lee Binding:
There’s also over 7 hours of extras, including:
- The Name of the Doctor Behind The Scenes
- Doctor Who – The Ultimate Guide
- Behind the Lens: The Day of the Doctor
- Script to Screen: 50th Readthrough
- The Last Day
- Tales from the TARDIS
- Cinema Intros: The Doctor / Strax
- Trailers
- Behind the Lens: The Time of the Doctor
- A Night with the Stars: The Science of Doctor Who
- Deleted scene
- Farewell to Matt Smith
- William Hartnell: The Original
- The Making of An Adventure in Space and Time
- Reconstructions: Scenes from An Unearthly Child / The Pilot / Regeneration
- Deleted Scenes: The Radiophonic Workshop / Verity’s Leaving Party
- Farewell to Susan
- Festive Greeting
- Title sequences
- The Five(ish) Doctors
- Doctor Who at the Proms 2013
So what’s missing?
Two notable omissions are: Me, You and Doctor Who – A Culture Show Special, presented by Matthew Sweet, which featured interviews with several members of the cast and crew hasn’t been commercially available before (not even on the previous numbered limited edition sets from 2014); and An Evening with Steven Moffat, an account of the show’s history, available on iPlayer from 12th November 2013.
Nonetheless, this looks to be an impressive set!
Doctor Who: The 50th Anniversary Steelbook is set for release in 2021.