DOCTOR WHO releases trailer for 2024 Christmas special and confirms new miniseries

by Ani Bundel

It has been almost a decade since Doctor Who last seen in Hall H at the San Diego Comic-Con – although that is just a drop in the ocean in the 60 years of the series. In the meantime, the series has undergone significant changes, including no longer being a pure BBC production (Bad Wolf and Sony own 51 percent), the return of the showrunner Russell T. Daviesthe return (and exit) of David Tennant As the 14th Doctor, the series is completely rebooted, moved to Disney+ and starts over with Season 1.

Oh, and of course there was the introduction of the first black, queer doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa.

Moderated by Josh Horowitz of Happy Sad Confused Podcast, Friday's panel consisted of Davies, Gatwa and the first season companion Millie Gibsonwhich plays Ruby Sunday. For Gatwa and Gibson, this was their first SDCC performance and both seemed a little taken aback by the room full of fans who went wild for their performance. Gatwa described it as joining the biggest family in the world and admits that the pressure of carrying on the legacy drives him to do better.

Davies admitted that when the series was first rebooted in 2005, he didn't anticipate how the show would change and evolve. He claimed he never writes characters for specific actors because he's still used to their agents saying no. (Jinx Monsoon was the closest he ever got.) He knew things were truly global for the new series when the premiere of “Rogue” took place, when Kylie Minogue called in the middle of the episode and squealed because her song was used. He was pleased, but also said: “Please don't call now, Doctor Who'It's on.”

Gatwa and Gibson raved about the filming of “Rogue”, he about Jonathan Groff and them about Indra Varma(Notably, Gibson referred to this episode as “Bridgerton.”) Hall H made it snow while Gibson spoke, much to the audience's amusement, but she also talked about being a companion in the spirit of Generation Z, discussing, among other things, how much her character must suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

The show also presented the full trailer for the 2024 Christmas special, presented by guest star Nicola CoughlanThe trailer is a journey through time as the Doctor visits several eras trying to figure out who ordered a pumpkin latte and encounters a Silurian.

Speaking of Silurians: Davies finally confirmed the first Whoniverse spinoff, which is actually called The war between land and sea and is a limited five-part series. The main roles are played by Russell Tovey And Gugu Mbatha-Rawas well as Jemma Redgrave as Head of UNIT, Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, and Alexander Devrient as their newest foot soldier, Colonel Ibrahim.

Yes, Tovey and Mbatha-Raw have been in the series before, but no, they will not be reprising their original characters, Midshipman Frame and Martha's sister Tish Jones. (Davies did say he would definitely write that team-up, though.) We also learned that our favorite Silurian from the dawn of time, Madame Vastra, her human wife Jenny Fleet, and Sontaran butler Strax will not be in the new series. Davies admitted that they Steven Moffat's invention, and that's why he wouldn't bring it back without Moffat writing the episode.

We also learned the name of the new member of the TARDIS in Season 2, played by Varada Sethuwhom fans met in season 1 (albeit as a different character): Belinda Chandra. Ruby Sunday also has a new young man she hangs out with, played by Jonah Hauer King (World on fire). Davies talked about having Gibson sent home to her birth and adoptive mother, noting that Ruby will actually suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and that this will lead her back to the TARDIS.

So? There will be plenty of musical numbers in the second season's episodes, although Davies said none of them will be an “official” musical episode. Gatwa hinted that he hasn't seen a Dalek yet, suggesting that season 2 will once again be without the show's famous Pepperpot villains.

The Doctor Who Christmas Special will air/stream on BBC and Disney+ on Christmas Day, December 25th. The war between land and sea And Doctor Who Season 2 (or season 15/41 if you prefer) is expected in 2025.

Stay tuned for further coverage of SDCC '24 from The Beat.

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