It's the most wonderful time of the year as Disney has released the full trailer for the Doctor Who Christmas special that doubles the Doctors!
When the BBC revived the iconic sci-fi series Doctor Who in 2005, Christopher Eccleston was cast as the titular time-traveling alien. The first season ended in a big twist with the Doctor regenerating into a new actor, David Tennant.
The producers decided to craft a Christmas-themed special, "The Christmas Invasion," to serve as Tennant's first full turn as the Doctor. It was such a hit that afterward, a Christmas Doctor Who special became a tradition, an extra-long episode to show the Doctor involved in some adventure at Christmas time.
Some specials are stand-alone adventures, but others are quite important. The 2009, 2013 and 2017 specials all involved the Doctor experiencing another regeneration. Last year's special was the first full one for Ncuti Gatwa as the 15th Doctor and introduced Millie Gibson as his companion, Ruby Sunday.
Now, Disney and the BBC have unveiled the trailer for the newest special, "Joy to the World." It looks like a fun one with a special guest star, Nicole Coughlan, best known for her turn in the Netflix hit Bridgerton. It's also notable for how it seems to have not one but two versions of the 15th Doctor for a wild ride.
"Joy (Coughlan) checks into a London hotel in 2024, only to discover that her quiet stay is anything but ordinary. When Joy opens a secret doorway to the Time Hotel, she discovers danger, dinosaurs and the Doctor. But a deadly plan is unfolding across the Earth, just in time for Christmas. Where has the Doctor been? What is going on in Joy's hotel room? An old enemy of the Doctor's is lurking in the wings and all of human history hangs in the balance. Can the Doctor save Christmas, everywhere, all at once?"
Given the Doctor's long life, that old enemy could be any one of several foes. The trailer looks like fun from the Doctor riding on a train, dinosaurs and more. Most intriguing is this other Doctor with the obvious idea he's from the future. It also has the Doctor railing at himself for cutting himself off from people and delving more into his character.
The special hits Disney+ on Christmas Day before airing on the BBC. With more insight into the Doctor and the special effects looking great, this should continue a tradition that Whovians old and new can't get enough of.
Doctor Who Christmas Special airs Wednesday December 25 at 12:10/11:10c on Disney+.