“Doctor Who” is a British science fiction television series that has been broadcast by the BBC since 1963. Fourteen actors have portrayed the Doctor, starting with William Hartnell, and as of 2024, Ncuti Gatwa stars as the Fifteenth Doctor, is a new version of the Doctor, who is an alien Time Lord traveling through time and space in the TARDIS. The TARDIS looks like a British police box from the outside.
The 14th series of “Doctor Who,” which premiered on May 11, 2024, is being referred to as “Season One” as part of a rebranding effort aimed at attracting new fans. This rebranding also coincides with production changes and Disney+ acquiring the show’s international broadcasting rights.
Russell T Davies, who had worked on Doctor Who from 2005 to 2010, returned as the head writer and executive producer for this season. The series is the fourteenth since the show was revived in 2005 and is the fortieth season overall. The new season has brought in many exciting changes, including new faces, strange creatures, and interesting locations. Let’s take a closer look at where the filming took place for this season.
Where was “Doctor Who Season 14” Filmed?
Pre-production for Doctor Who season 14 began in September 2022. The first read-through of the script happened at Bad Wolf Studios on 30 November 2022. The main filming started on 5 December 2022 and ended on 14 July 2023. The filming mostly took place in Wales, including Cardiff and other nearby locations.
Newport Market
Newport Market served as one of the filming locations in January 2024. This market is fashionable and newly rebuilt. The High Street and Westgate Hotels in Newport were also utilized. Some shops on the High Street, such as Subway and St David’s Hospice charity shop, were altered to resemble a London high street for the filming. Millie Gibson, who plays Ruby Sunday, was spotted filming here alongside Jemma Redgrave, who returns as Kate Stewart.
Capitol Centre, Cardiff
The Capitol Centre, located at the top of Queen Street in Cardiff, was another important filming location. This shopping center, which used to be very busy, was used for some scenes, with extras seen inside and outside. The outside of the shopping center was covered with posters for a character named Roger Ap Gwilliam, played by Aneurin Barnard, who is new to the show.
Swansea University Campus
A very unusual location used for filming was the Swansea University Campus. In January 2024, a giant alien slug-like creature was seen on the Swansea Bay site, which was labeled as ‘Finetime’—possibly the name of an episode. Ncuti Gatwa, who plays the new Doctor, was seen on location, along with Millie Gibson. This location added a mysterious and otherworldly feel to the scenes.
Cardiff Bay Barrage
On 16 and 17 December 2022, filming took place at Cardiff Bay Barrage. The new Doctor and his companion Ruby were seen filming at a car park at Alexandra Head, near the Barrage. Official images of Ncuti Gatwa in a brown suit with a bright orange top were released by the BBC. Fans even managed to capture some late-night pictures of the filming, showing the exciting action happening at the Barrage.
St Mary’s Church, Nash
In the first episode of season 14, titled “The Church on Ruby Road,” St Mary’s Church near Newport was heavily featured. This church, with its striking 15th-century steeple, was the setting where Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson, was introduced with a sad backstory. Ruby was shown as a baby abandoned on the steps of a Manchester church on Christmas Eve, 2004. The actual church used for filming was St Mary’s, adding a historical and emotional touch to the episode.
Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff
The Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff appeared in the same episode as “The Church on Ruby Road.” Davina McCall, a TV presenter, made a surprise cameo as herself, interviewing Ruby for a fictional TV show that reunites long-lost family members. The venue added a realistic and modern sense to the event.
The Golden Cross, Cardiff
“The Church on Ruby Road” also used The Golden Cross, Cardiff’s oldest LGBT pub. Ruby was seen performing with her band at the lively London tavern known as The Golden Cross. The Doctor was also seen dancing at the defunct nightclub PRYZM on Greyfriars Road in Cardiff, making both places colorful and alive throughout the episode.
The Parade, Cardiff
In the episode “The Devil’s Chord,” a Cardiff street known as The Parade was converted into London’s famed Abbey Road. Ruby and The Doctor replicated the iconic cover of The Beatles’ 1969 album Abbey Road on this street. A zebra crossing was added expressly for filming and then removed.
Giltar Point, Tenby
In the episode “73 Yards,” the TARDIS was shown materializing on a rocky outcrop along the Welsh coast. This scene was filmed at Giltar Point in Tenby. The TARDIS remained at this location for much of the episode while Ruby explored other Welsh locations. This coastal setting added a scenic and dramatic backdrop to the episode.
The White Cross Inn, Groeswen
The White Cross Inn in Groeswen, a pub dating back to 1750, was used to film the pub scenes in the fictional Y Pren Mawr in the episode “73 Yards.” The landlady of the pub, Mair Arthur, shared that the production team spent the first day removing items they didn’t need and the fifth day putting everything back. She even hosted a watch party at the pub when the episode aired on 25 May 2024, showing her support for the show.
Doctor Who season 14 was filmed in various locations across Wales, with Cardiff being a key area for many scenes. The use of these real locations, along with historical and modern settings, helped create the unique and captivating world of Doctor Who. Each location added its own special touch to the story, making this season a memorable experience for fans and viewers alike.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Doctor Who Season 14
Q: Where was “Doctor Who” (2024) filmed?
A: “Doctor Who” (2024) was filmed primarily in Wales, with key locations including Cardiff, Newport, and Swansea. Specific sites in Cardiff such as the Capitol Centre, Cardiff Bay Barrage, and The Parade were used, along with Newport Market and Swansea University Campus.
Q: When did filming for “Doctor Who” (2024) begin?
A: Filming for “Doctor Who” (2024) began on December 5, 2022. Pre-production activities, including script read-throughs, started earlier in September 2022.
Q: Where was the TARDIS scene in “Doctor Who” (2024) filmed?
A: The TARDIS scene in “Doctor Who” (2024) was filmed at Giltar Point in Tenby, along the Welsh coast. The TARDIS was shown materializing on a rocky outcrop in the episode titled “73 Yards.”
Q: When did filming for “Doctor Who” (2024) conclude?
A: Filming for “Doctor Who” (2024) concluded on July 14, 2023. The production spanned several months, capturing various locations across Wales.
Q: What is the release date of “Doctor Who” (2024)?
A: “Doctor Who” (2024) premiered on May 11, 2024, and the season aired through to 22 June 2024. This season marked the first with Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor.
