The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot (2013) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film is primarily set in Cardiff, Wales, at Roath Lock Studios where Doctor Who is filmed, and at The Doctor Who Experience attraction. It also includes scenes at London's BBC Television Centre and briefly in New Zealand, representing a comedic nod to production disruptions. These real Doctor Who production locations serve as both setting and part of the joke.

• cardiff
• roath lock studios
• doctor who experience
• bbc television centre
• filming locations

The events unfold on Christmas Day 2012, just before Doctor Who's 50th-anniversary special 'The Day of the Doctor' aired. This timing is essential to the plot, three classic Doctors are trying to get involved in the anniversary celebration, which adds urgency and contextualizes the behind-the-scenes scheming.

• christmas day 2012
• 50th anniversary
• day of the doctor
• timing

The nostalgia theme examines Doctor Who's legacy and the fans' deep attachment to the classic Doctors from the original run. The film asks whether former actors like Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy should be included in the modern anniversary celebration, reflecting on how the show's history shapes its present and future.

• nostalgia
• classic doctors
• legacy
• fan attachment
• doctor who history

The movie is a self-aware parody where real actors like Peter Davison and Steven Moffat play fictionalized versions of themselves. It puts actual Doctor Who production figures into behind-the-scenes roles, blurring the line between the fictional show and its making. This meta-commentary is central to the humor, as the film critiques the production politics and media spectacle surrounding the anniversary.

• meta-fiction
• parody
• self-aware
• producer characters
• behind the scenes

Fandom is portrayed as both the driving force behind the anniversary and a source of comedic chaos. The film shows how fan enthusiasm fuels the franchise's longevity, while also revealing the real-world challenges of making a major TV event. The cameos and backstage scheming celebrate the relationship between fans and the show.

• fandom
• fans
• franchise
• production
• anniversary special

The main characters are three classic Doctors, Peter Davison (Fifth Doctor), Colin Baker (Sixth Doctor), and Sylvester McCoy (Seventh Doctor), playing themselves. They're joined by David Tennant (Tenth Doctor) as a facilitating contact, plus real producers Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat. Other cameos include John Barrowman, Ian McKellen, and Peter Jackson.

• peter davison
• colin baker
• sylvester mccoy
• david tennant
• russell t davies
• steven moffat
• cast

The former Doctors (Davison, Baker, McCoy) are portrayed as eager to return because the 50th anniversary represents a rare chance to be part of Doctor Who history. Their desperation stems from being excluded from modern Who, combined with the significance of the milestone celebration, a mix of professional pride and emotional attachment to the role.

• former doctors
• inclusion
• anniversary
• desperation
• return

Russell T Davies appears as himself, depicted as the former showrunner who initially avoids calls from the ex-Doctors about anniversary planning. His character represents the production politics and the awkwardness of navigating who gets included in milestone events, adding to the meta-commentary about the show's management.

• russell t davies
• showrunner
• producer
• excluded
• phone calls

Steven Moffat plays himself as the current showrunner and lead producer of the 50th anniversary. He's portrayed as the final decision-maker who ultimately controls which Doctors appear in the special. The film humorously shows him editing out certain scenes while remaining central to the ex-Doctors' machinations.

• steven moffat
• showrunner
• producer
• editing
• final say

Peter Jackson appears as himself joking about production issues and the chaos of organizing a major TV reunion. His cameo reflects Doctor Who's global production footprint and adds an extra layer of meta-humor by bringing in a famous film director to comment on TV production challenges.

• peter jackson
• cameo
• production issues
• director
• global production

The film prominently features Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff (the primary Doctor Who filming location since 2008) and The Doctor Who Experience (an interactive attraction). These real locations are used both as setting and as part of the joke, giving fans an authentic feel of the show's production world.

• roath lock studios
• cardiff
• doctor who experience
• production locations
• wales

Christmas Day 2012 was chosen because The Day of the Doctor (the actual 50th-anniversary special) aired on November 23, 2013. Setting the film just before Christmas 2012 places the ex-Doctors' scheming in the run-up to the anniversary planning, creating urgency and grounding the comedy in real production timelines.

• christmas
• 2012
• day of the doctor
• anniversary
• production timeline