If you didn’t already know, Doctor Who is the longest-running sci-fi series on television. The show debuted back in 1963 and ran for over two decades ending in 1989. The show was “regenerated” in 2005 with Chris Eccleston taking over as the Ninth Doctor. Fear of being typecast, Eccleston left the series after one season. David Tennant stepped in as the Tenth Doctor and was introduced to viewers in the series’ first Christmas special, “The Christmas Invasion.”
This year marks the 20th Doctor Who Christmas special. The episode “Joy to the World” will feature the Fifteenth Doctor played by Ncuti Gatwa alongside guest star Bridgerton‘s Nicola Coughlan as a character named “Joy.”
Here’s everything we know so far about the 2024 Doctor Who Christmas special, including the latest trailer.
What is Doctor Who about?
Doctor Who is a British science-fiction series that premiered in England back in 1963. It follows the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial from the planet Gallifrey, who appears as a human. The Doctor explores the universe in a time-traveling space ship called the TARDIS.
The Doctor has regenerative properties and is able to reincarnate itself into another Doctor when its current body is too badly damaged. While each Doctor has their own unique take on things, they all are the same being.
Doctor Who is the longest-running science fiction series on television.
How many Doctor Who Christmas Specials are there?
There are currently 20 Doctor Who Christmas specials, though several of them were actually New Year’s specials before transitioning back to Christmas. The first was back in 2005 when the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) was introduced to audiences. This year marks the 20th Doctor Who Christmas special.
Is there a Doctor Who Christmas special this year?
Yes! The Doctor Who Christmas special episode, “Joy to the World” will premiere on Christmas Day on Disney+.
What is the Doctor Who Christmas special, “Joy to the World,” about?
When Joy checks into a London hotel in 2024, she opens a secret doorway to the Time Hotel—discovering danger, dinosaurs and the Doctor. But a deadly plan is unfolding across the Earth, just in time for Christmas.
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Meet the Doctor Who cast
Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who)
Gatwa takes a turn as the newest Doctor and makes Whovian history as the first black actor to take on the iconic role. Born in Rwanda but raised in Scotland, Gatwa studied acting at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He is best known for his turn as Eric in the Netflix series, Sex Education.
Nicola Coughlan (Joy)
Coughlan is best known to audiences for her roles in Bridgerton and Derry Girls. She will have a starring role in the upcoming feature film, Love and War, about a woman who must travel to Syria to find her abducted daughter.
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Is there a new season of Doctor Who coming?
Yes! A new season of Doctor Who will premiere in 2025 on Disney+.
How can I watch the Doctor Who Christmas special?
The Doctor Who Christmas special will air exclusively on Disney+.
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When does the Doctor Who Christmas special premiere?
The Doctor Who Christmas special will premiere on Christmas Day, Dec. 25 at 12:10 p.m. ET on Disney+.
Is there a trailer for the Doctor Who Christmas special?
There is! Disney+ dropped the official trailer recently. Check it out below.
Next, Here’s the Scoop on the New Doctor Who
