The 20th season of the British science fiction TV series Doctor Who originally aired from January 3 to March 16, 1983, on BBC1. It consisted of 6 stories and 22 episodes, plus a special episode later in the year. This season starred Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor, accompanied by companions Nyssa (Sarah Sutton), Tegan Jovanka (Janet Fielding), and later Vislor Turlough (Mark Strickson). The shape-shifting android Kamelion also joined the TARDIS crew during this season. The season was produced by John Nathan-Turner with Eric Saward as script editor
. A notable highlight of Season 20 was the 20th Anniversary special episode, The Five Doctors , which aired in November 1983. This special featured the return of past Doctors including the First Doctor (played by Richard Hurndall, as the original actor William Hartnell had passed away), the Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton), and the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee). The Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, was invited but declined to participate. Several past companions also returned for the special
. In 2025, the BBC is marking 20 years since the 2005 revival of Doctor Who with a special episode of Doctor Who: Unleashed. This behind-the-scenes program will feature interviews with past and current Doctors, companions, and showrunners, including David Tennant, Billie Piper, Ncuti Gatwa, Russell T Davies, Steven Moffat, and Chris Chibnall. The special is set to air on BBC Three, BBC iPlayer, and BBC Wales in June 2025, celebrating the show's impact since its revival
. In summary:
- Doctor Who Season 20 aired in early 1983 with Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor
- The 20th Anniversary special The Five Doctors aired in November 1983, featuring multiple past Doctors and companions
- In 2025, the BBC commemorates 20 years since the 2005 revival with a special Doctor Who: Unleashed episode featuring key cast and crew interviews
