The holiday season just wouldn’t be the same without a fresh dose of Doctor Who, and the upcoming Christmas special, ‘Joy to the World,’ is shaping up to be an exciting reunion for fans. With Season 14 now behind us, it’s time to look forward to what Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor has in store, especially with the intriguing addition of Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan in a guest role.
Audiences were given a sneak peek of the festive special at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, complete with a first-look clip that teased the return of an iconic Doctor Who species. Plus, there’s been some exciting casting news that includes familiar faces from Sherlock and Casualty. Here’s a look at everything we know so far about the Doctor Who Christmas Special 2024, ‘Joy to the World.’
Doctor Who Christmas Special 2024 Release Date Speculation
While there’s no official release date yet, it’s a pretty safe bet that the Doctor Who Christmas Special will air on, well, Christmas Day. In the past, we’ve seen the festive special shift to New Year’s Day during Chris Chibnall’s time as showrunner, but Russell T Davies, who returned as showrunner when Gatwa took over, made it clear that a Christmas release was non-negotiable.
“Back on Christmas Day, thank you very much,” Davies said during an interview on Doctor Who: Unleashed. “It suits Doctor Who—any story with tinsel in it is better than a story without tinsel in it.” Basically, it’s back where it belongs.
Cast: Who Will Star in ‘Joy to the World’?
Details are still a little sparse when it comes to the cast of ‘Joy to the World,’ but a few names have been confirmed, especially after the teaser trailer made its debut. Here’s who we’re expecting to see:
- Nicola Coughlan as Joy
- Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor
- Jonathan Aris as Melnak the Silurian
- Peter Benedict as Basil
- Julia Watson as Hilda
- Niamh Marie Smith as Sylvia
- Phil Baxter as Edmund Hillary
- Samuel Sherpa-Moore as Tenzing Norgay
- Steph de Whalley as Anita
Nicola Coughlan, confirmed as the character Joy, has described her as “A determined woman whose life is changed forever when she meets the Doctor,” while former showrunner Steven Moffat added that she’ll “break your heart.” Get the tissues ready.
Jonathan Aris will play Melnak the Silurian, hinting at a return of these underground-dwelling creatures. Meanwhile, some familiar names from recent seasons might make surprise appearances, including Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday and Angela Wynter as Cherry Sunday, among others. Ruby, in particular, has been confirmed for a smaller role in Season 15, and since it’s her birthday, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Doctor paid the Sundays a festive visit.
We’re also staying cautiously optimistic about unexpected cameos. If Davina McCall and goblin chaos were fair game last year, this special could deliver pretty much anything.
Plot: What Could Happen in ‘Joy to the World’?
When it comes to what actually happens in ‘Joy to the World,’ the answers are as cryptic as ever. Doctor Who’s Christmas episodes tend to be standalone, accessible stories that all the family can enjoy—so we’re expecting festive cheer mixed with typical Whovian chaos.
That said, Moffat, famous for unleashing the Weeping Angels and the Silence on an unsuspecting world, is helming the special, so don’t be surprised if the episode takes a darker turn. Moffat has hinted that Coughlan’s performance is “heartbreaking,” suggesting we could be in for some emotional turbulence amidst the holiday hijinks.
Showrunner Russell T Davies teased in a behind-the-scenes YouTube video that “It’s mad, one of the maddest Christmas specials you’ll ever see. It’s epic, it goes to so many different places, and it’s a great story of who the Doctor is when he’s alone.” So, yes, expect an emotional rollercoaster.
From the early clip released at Comic-Con, we already know the Doctor will be darting through time and space—emerging from mysterious doorways with a ham and cheese toastie in one hand and a pumpkin latte in the other. When he finally meets Joy in 2024 London, things quickly get interesting as she’s confronted by a Silurian dressed as a hotelier.
First Look: A Glimpse at ‘Joy to the World’
While there’s no full trailer available yet, a first-look clip from San Diego Comic-Con is enough to keep us on our toes. The teaser featured Nicola Coughlan introducing us to her character, Joy, and a montage of the Doctor travelling across different locations in space and time.
The clip wraps up in London 2024, where Joy checks into a hotel and encounters a Silurian dressed in hotelier attire—only for the Doctor to burst in, likely causing more trouble than he’s solving. It’s a classic Doctor Who move, really.
What We Can Expect Next
With the Doctor armed with a ham and cheese toastie, a pumpkin latte, and an unpredictable companion in Joy, ‘Joy to the World’ sounds like a festive mix of heartache, adventure, and a dash of Moffat’s signature darkness. Silurians are involved, emotions will be toyed with, and Russell T Davies has assured us it’s going to be “mad.”
We’ll keep you posted on any new details as they emerge—and you can bet there will be a few surprises yet to come.
