BBC America Announces Airdate for Final David Tennant "Doctor Who" Special, "The End of Time"

BBC America today announced an airdate for Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part Two, which marks the departure of David Tennant from the series. (I mentioned the scheduling earlier today in my morning news roundup, found here.)

Just a day after the BBC One broadcast of Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part Two, BBC America will air David Tennant's final Doctor Who special on Saturday, January 2nd at 8 pm ET/PT. [Updated: BBC America has since revised the 9 pm ET/PT airing to 8 pm ET/PT.]

The digital cabler's scheduling means that US viewers will be able to see both parts of Doctor Who: The End of Time just a day after UK viewers (Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part One is set to air on Friday, December 26th, as previously reported) and will be airing the final three David Tennant specials over a two-week period.

"It's personal for the Doctor," executive producer Russell T. Davies told Radio Times about the final showdown between the Tenth Doctor and The Master. "The Master (John Simm) is his enemy, his opposite, and yet so tantalizingly close to being his soul mate. There's something epic about their sheer existence - the last two survivors of an ancient race. It's a clash of the titans. Both of them, heading for death, and yet both determined to survive - at any cost!"

The full press release from BBC America announcing the scheduling--and official synopses of the final three David Tennant specials, can be found below.

DAVID TENNANT’S FINAL DOCTOR WHO SPECIAL – U.S. PREMIERE ONLY ON BBC AMERICA

BBC AMERICA today announced the U.S. premiere of David Tennant’s final special as the Tenth Doctor. Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part Two, premieres January 2, one week after Part One, on BBC AMERICA. The finale to the era of David Tennant is one of the most eagerly anticipated adventures in the history of Doctor Who. Guest stars include John Simm (Life on Mars) as the Master, Timothy Dalton, Catherine Tate and Bernard Cribbins. New synopses for the final three specials airing on the channel three straight Saturdays over the holiday season are available below.

Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars airs Saturday, December 19, 9:00pm ET/PT

Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part One airs Saturday, December 26, 9:00pm ET/PT

Doctor Who: The End of Time, Part Two airs Saturday, January 2, 8:00pm ET/PT

Regarding the final specials, lead writer and executive producer Russell T Davies told Radio Times, "It's personal for the Doctor. The Master (John Simm) is his enemy, his opposite, and yet so tantalizingly close to being his soul mate. There's something epic about their sheer existence - the last two survivors of an ancient race. It's a clash of the titans. Both of them, heading for death, and yet both determined to survive - at any cost!"

Davies and Tennant are passing the baton to Steven Moffat and actor Matt Smith, who will play the Eleventh Doctor in a new season of the re-imagined series premiering in 2010 on BBC AMERICA.

BBCAmerica.com/DoctorWho has exclusive Doctor Who video clips including Inside Look interviews with David Tennant, Russell T Davies and executive producer Julie Gardner as well as sneak peeks of The Waters of Mars and The End of Time, Part One.

The BBC will release The Waters of Mars and The End of Time, Part One and Part Two on DVD and Blu-ray, Tuesday, February 2, 2010. A 5-disc set, Doctor Who: Specials Collection, which includes The Next Doctor, Planet of the Dead, Waters of Mars, The End of Time, Part One and Part Two and a 16-page booklet with an introduction written by David Tennant, hits stores the same day.

BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies, life-changing makeovers and a whole new world of nonfiction. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 65 million homes.

DOCTOR WHO: THE WATERS OF MARS - SYNOPSIS
Lindsay Duncan (Alice and Wonderland (2010), Rome) joins the Doctor as his sharpest and most strong-minded companion yet for the second of four Doctor Who Specials. The Waters of Mars is a dark, scary thriller that sees the Doctor land on the planet Mars, at a base in peril. A creeping infection beneath the Martian surface threatens not only the human race, but also the Doctor's most fundamental beliefs. Together with Adelaide Brooke (Lindsay Duncan), the base’s commander, the Doctor must defeat a seemingly unstoppable menace before it can reach Earth, and wipe out mankind. The Doctor must fight not only the water but destiny itself… Whilst also confronting his own existence, when the prophesy about his future begins to resonate. Is his song about to come to an end?

The Waters of Mars is written by Russell T Davies (Torchwood, Queer as Folk) and Phil Ford and directed by Graeme Harper. The executive producers are Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner (Torchwood, Life on Mars).

DOCTOR WHO: THE END OF TIME, PART ONE – SYNOPSIS
It's the Tenth Doctor's final journey - but his psychotic nemesis the Master has been reborn, on Christmas Eve. With both determined to cheat death, the battle ranges from the wastelands of London to the mysterious Immortality Gate. Meanwhile, the alien race Ood warn of an even greater danger approaching, as a terrible shadow falls across the entire Universe.

David Tennant stars as the Tenth Doctor and guest stars include John Simm, Bernard Cribbins, Catherine Tate, Timothy Dalton, David Harewood and June Whitfield. The End Of Time, Part One is written by Russell T Davies and directed by Euros Lyn. The producer is Tracie Simpson.

DOCTOR WHO: THE END OF TIME, PART TWO - SYNOPSIS
The Doctor faces the end of his life as the Master's plans hurtle out of control. With the sound of drums growing louder, and an ancient trap closing around the Earth, the Doctor and Wilf must fight alone. But sacrifices must be made, and the deadly prophecy warns: "He will knock four times."

David Tennant stars as the Tenth Doctor and guest stars include John Simm, Bernard Cribbins, Catherine Tate, Timothy Dalton, David Harewood and June Whitfield. The End Of Time, Part Two is written by Russell T Davies and directed by Euros Lyn. The producer is Tracie Simpson.