The BBC has officially confirmed the air date for this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special, securing a coveted spot in the BBC’s Christmas listings. The highly anticipated episode, titled ‘The Church on Ruby Road,’ is set to air on 25 December 2023 at 5:55 PM on BBC One and will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
The Christmas special will mark the “first epic adventure” of the Ncuti Gatwa era, with Gatwa taking on the role of the Fifteenth Doctor. Interestingly, it has been confirmed that Gatwa will make his first appearance in the remaining Doctor Who 60th anniversary episode, which is scheduled to air on Saturday, 9 December.
In ‘The Church on Ruby Road,’ fans will be introduced to a new Doctor’s companion, Ruby Sunday, portrayed by Millie Gibson. According to a teaser from the BBC, Ruby Sunday has a mysterious background, having been abandoned on Christmas Eve as a baby. However, her world is about to turn upside down when she meets the Doctor and embarks on her first adventure.
To add to the excitement, the episode will feature a cameo from Davina McCall, marking her return to the show nearly 19 years after her previous appearance in 2005’s ‘Bad Wolf’.
The last Doctor Who episode to be broadcast on Christmas Day was in 2017, titled Twice Upon a Time, which marked Peter Capaldi’s final appearance as the Twelfth Doctor.
Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies said: “From day one in this job, I wanted Doctor Who back on Christmas Day. And with Ncuti, Millie, Davina and the Goblin King, I hope it’s a feast for all the family!”
Michelle Greenidge will join the cast as Ruby’s mum, Carla, Angela Wynter as Ruby’s grandmother Cherry and Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood.
Looking forward, Russell T Davies has also divulged that he is already working on the 2024 Christmas special, teasing that it will feature Nicola Coughlan, known for her role in Bridgerton, in a yet undisclosed guest role.
Doctor Who is available on BBC One in the UK and Disney+ elsewhere. In addition, classic episodes of Doctor Who can be streamed via BBC iPlayer in the UK.
This Christmas special promises to bring mystery, adventure, and a fresh start for the beloved Doctor, making it a must-watch for all Doctor Who fans.
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