The Doctor Who Christmas special 2024 will hopefully fill the Doctor with joy [Exclusive]

While there were no physical surprises on the stage in Hall H at San Diego Comic Con, Doctor Who Fans got a little taste of the upcoming Christmas special, accompanied by a special message from one of its stars, Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton). The general theme of the plot is “a great story about who the Doctor is when he is alone,” according to the special's author and former Doctor Who Showrunner Steven Moffat.

Today is Colliders Sam Coley spoke to the current showrunner Russell T. Davies as well as Ncuti Gatwa about the plans for the upcoming Christmas special at the Collider Media Studio. The action picks up after the end of the first season, where we see Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) reunites with her biological mother and separates from the Doctor to explore her new family dynamic. “When we find him, he's sad.” Gatwa says, “He's bored and looking for an adventure. He's lost his best mate!” The starting point seems to be in line with the course of previous Christmas specials. Davies says that in many ways it's about missing Ruby, “isn't it? That he misses her.”

Nicola Coughlan's joy teaches the doctor a lot

While Joy apparently does not teach the Doctor the rules of Regency England (no corsets for Coughlan this time!), Gatwa confirms that joy “teaches him a lot.” Gatwa confirmed that Joy may be “exactly what the Doctor needs” after Coley hinted as much. In the preview from San Diego Comic-Con, Joy is seen checking into an inn at Christmastime. She's just settling in when a Silurian, in a suit, suddenly walks through the door. Shortly after Joy is understandably startled by the prehistoric alien in her hotel room, the Doctor stumbles in and offers Joy a cheese toastie and a pumpkin latte.

Whether this culinary combination sounds repulsive to your palate or not, these scenes seem to be the starting point for what Gatwa calls “a beautiful journey together, where they learn about themselves and find themselves.” The Christmas specials returned last year after being broadcast during Chris Chibnall's tenure as showrunner. Steven Moffat, who is writing the Christmas special, advises fans to buckle up because “it's one of the craziest Christmas specials you'll ever see.”

The Christmas special will air on Disney+ in the US this year. You can watch season 1 of Doctor Who now on the streaming service.

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