Home > Tech > VPN

How to watch the 'Doctor Who' 60th Anniversary Specials online for free

'Doctor Who' returns to BBC iPlayer with three incredible 60th anniversary episodes.
 By 
Joseph Green
 on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
'Doctor Who' 60th Anniversary special promotional shot
Credit: BBC

TL;DR: Stream the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.


It is a huge year for fans of all things Doctor Who. Not only are we getting a new Doctor in the next season, but before that, we all get to enjoy a trio of amazing 60th anniversary adventures. What a time to be a Whovian!

If you want to watch the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What are the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials?

The 2023 specials of Doctor Who are an upcoming series of three episodes that will air to celebrate the programme's 60th anniversary.

David Tennant and Catherine Tate will return as part of this special series. Tennant will star as the Fourteenth Doctor for the first time, having already portrayed the Tenth Doctor, while Tate is back as Donna Noble. Neil Patrick Harris is set to guest star as the Toymaker, alongside returning cast members Jacqueline King, Karl Collins, Bernard Cribbins, and Jemma Redgrave, and Yasmin Finney.

When are the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials?

The specials will be broadcast from Nov. 25 to Dec. 9, with episodes released every Saturday. The first special titled "The Star Beast" will premiere on Nov. 25, followed by "Wild Blue Yonder" on Dec. 2, then "The Giggle" on Dec. 9.

How to watch the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials for free

All three episodes will be available to stream on Disney+ globally, or on BBC iPlayer in the UK. The key detail here is that BBC iPlayer is the only streaming platform offering free coverage of this special series.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can stream the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials on BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit BBC iPlayer

  5. Steam the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials for free from anywhere in the world

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 94 countries including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to five simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials for free with ExpressVPN.

Photo of Joseph Green
Joseph Green
Global Shopping Editor

Joseph Green is the Global Shopping Editor for Mashable. He covers VPNs, headphones, fitness gear, dating sites, streaming, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day.

Joseph is also Executive Editor of Mashable's sister site, AskMen.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
How to watch Warriors vs. Rockets online for free
Basketball up close

How to watch Lakers vs. Nuggets online for free
Basketball up close

How to watch Newcastle United vs. Barcelona online for free
Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates

How to watch Galatasaray vs. Liverpool online for free
Andrew Robertson of Liverpool celebrates

How to watch Leverkusen vs. Arsenal online for free
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 2, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 2, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!