The Doctor Who satire The Curse Of Fatal Death airs in two parts as part of the BBC’s Red Nose Day telethon, starring Rowan Atkinson (Blackadder, Mr. Bean), Julia Sawalha (Absolutely Fabulous), Hugh Grant, and, as the first female Doctor in the history of the series (but not the last), Joanna Lumley. Future 21st century Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat provides the scripts. 
After considerable fanfare and build-up, Doctor Who returns to BBC1 with its 699th episode. Rose opens the first season of the revived show and introduced the ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and his companion Rose (Billie Piper), along with a host of supporting characters who reappear throughout the first two seasons. Thanks to a carefully managed publicity campaign, the new Doctor Who is a genuine hit with viewers and discussions of a Christmas special and a second season begin almost immediately at the BBC. 
Just a week after the series’ revival, the 700th episode of Doctor Who airs on BBC1. Zoe Wanamaker and Yasmin Bannerman guest star.
The 701st episode of Doctor Who (the third since the series’ revival) airs on BBC1. Simon Callow guest stars as Charles Dickens; future Torchwood star Eve Myles also guest stars.
The 702nd episode of Doctor Who (the fourth since the series’ revival) airs on BBC1. Annette Badland and Naoko Mori (Torchwood) guest star. This is the first half of the new series’ first two-part story.
The 703rd episode of Doctor Who (the fifth since the series’ revival) airs on BBC1. Annette Badland guest stars. This is the conclusion of the new series’ first two-part story.
The 704th episode of Doctor Who (the sixth since the series’ revival) airs on BBC1. Corey Johnson guest stars. This is the first appearance of the Daleks since the series relaunch, and the first episode to establish that the Doctor destroyed both the Daleks and the Time Lords at the end of the Time War.
The 705th episode of Doctor Who (the seventh since the series’ revival) airs on BBC1. Simon Pegg guest stars.
The 706th episode of Doctor Who (the eighth since the series’ revival) airs on BBC1. Shaun Dingwall guest stars.
The 707th episode of Doctor Who (the ninth since the series’ revival) airs on BBC1. John Barrowman guest stars in the first appearance of Captain Jack Harkness (a character who will later led the spinoff series Torchwood); this is the first episode of a two-part story and is the first non-parody Doctor Who episode written by future showrunner Steven Moffat. The episode goes on to win a Hugo Award.
The 708th episode of Doctor Who (the tenth since the series’ revival) airs on BBC1. John Barrowman guest stars in the conclusion of a two-part story written by future showrunner Steven Moffat. The episode goes on to win a Hugo Award.
The 709th episode of Doctor Who (the 11th since the series’ revival) airs on BBC1. John Barrowman and Annette Badland guest star.
The 710th episode of Doctor Who (the 12th since the series’ revival) airs on BBC1. John Barrowman and Paterson Joseph guest star.
The 711th episode of Doctor Who (the 13th since the series’ revival) airs on BBC1. The ninth Doctor regenerates, making him the second shortest-lived incarnation of the Time Lord (after Paul McGann); even Colin Baker outlasted Eccleston in the role. John Barrowman and Paterson Joseph guest star; David Tennant makes his first brief appearance as the tenth Doctor.