On the day of the return of Doctor Who Series 7 with the episode The Bells of Saint John, the BBC made a COLOSSAL announcement today pleasing fans around the world: Tenth Doctor David Tennant is returning for the 50th Anniversary Special along with companion Rose Tyler played by Billie Piper. To top it off, legendary actor John Hurt has also been announced as joining the cast for the special.

The Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special will star current Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith. It’s believed current companion Clara Oswald (Jenna-Louise Coleman) will be there, as well John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness who revealed weeks ago he was in discussions with the BBC and showrunner Steven Moffat for the special.

It’s currently rumored that the 50th Anniversary Special will be a feature-length episode (possibly 90 minutes), filmed in 3D for a limited theatrical run worldwide. The episode begins filming during the first week of April, and is aimed at being ready for a November release. Current rumors seem to indicate the special will focus on "The First Question" of "Doctor Who?" – a subplot streaming through the current series that is said to climax on The Fields Of Trenzlore and reveal the name, or identity, of the Doctor.

Meanwhile, Doctor Who Series 7 continues on BBC and BBC America, featuring a return to form for producer and writer Steven Moffat, introducing several ongoing overarching subplots that will culminate in the series finale, the 50th Anniversary Special, and the 2013 Christmas Special.

[Source: BBC]