We all know the holidays can be a bit…much. Family gatherings, strained small talk, and the inevitable existential dread that accompanies another year gone by. But fear not, Whovians, because this year, the Doctor is here to add some timey-wimey chaos to the mix. And dinosaurs. Definitely dinosaurs.
The Christmas special, “Joy to the World,” finds the Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) teaming up with a new companion, Joy (Nicola Coughlan), who stumbles upon more than just a complimentary breakfast during her London hotel stay. Turns out, a secret door leads to more than just the ice machine; it’s a gateway to the Time Hotel, where danger lurks around every corner. It’s the kind of establishment where the minibar probably stocks vintage Roman wine and the wake-up call might come from a Pterodactyl.
This time, the threat isn’t just confined to Earth. Oh no, this is a full-blown, all-of-human-history-at-stake scenario, just in time for turkey and tinsel. An old foe of the Doctor’s is pulling the strings, and it’s up to our favorite Time Lord, and his surprisingly resourceful new companion, to untangle the mess. Because nothing says “Christmas cheer” like a universe-ending paradox, am I right?
Joining Gatwa and Coughlan for this festive frolic are Steph de Whalley, Jonathan Aris, Joel Fry, Peter Benedict, Julia Watson, and Niamh Marie Smith, presumably playing a mix of hapless hotel guests, sinister villains, and maybe a talking Christmas tree or two.
Don’t miss the Doctor Who Christmas Special, airing Christmas Day at 6.10pm on BBC One, followed by Doctor Who: Unleashed on iPlayer and BBC Three at 7.10pm.
