DOCTOR WHO Christmas Special Trailer Brings "Joy To The World" As The Doctor Meets...The Doctor?!

The first trailer for this year's Doctor Who Christmas special has been released and, despite uncertainty surrounding the show's future on Disney+, this looks to be another fun showcase for Ncuti Gatwa.

News

By JoshWilding - Dec 05, 2024 01:12 PM EST

Filed Under: Doctor Who

Source: SFFGazette.com

While Doctor Who's future is currently far from a sure thing (more on that in a moment), we have at least one more season with Ncuti Gatwa in the TARDIS to get excited about. We're also just a few short weeks away from this year's Christmas special.

Last year's focused on Gawta's first adventure as the Doctor, though this effort looks like a far more light-hearted, festive adventure.

In "Joy to the World," 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.

The special stars Gatwa (Sex Education) as the Doctor and Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) as Joy. Additional cast includes Steph de Whalley as Anita, Jonathan Aris as Melnak, Joel Fry as Trev, Peter Benedict as Basil, Julia Watson as Hilda, and Niamh Marie Smith as Sylvia.

"Joy to the World" is executive produced and written by Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Sherlock) and directed by Alex Sanjiv Pillai (Riverdale, Bridgerton). Russell T Davies is showrunner and executive producer. Additional executive producers are Joel Collins, Phil Collinson, Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter.

Disney+ is reportedly to be unhappy with Doctor Who's performance on the platform after investing heavily in the show. As a result, what once looked set to be a long-term deal is now set to be reassessed any day now (original plans called for at least three seasons and numerous spin-offs).

It appears the series is close to losing Gatwa because a source tells them that "he might not be long for the job" due to exploring other roles.

In July, we learned that Disney is expected to step in once The War Between the Land and the Sea spin-off wraps, and a decision should be made quite quickly from there. One source believes the season 2 finale has been shot in a way to allow Gatwa to move on from the series, hinting that another creative overhaul might take place.

The prospect of Disney+ parting ways with the BBC and Doctor Who has been described as a "disaster" by one source.

Doctor Who is produced by Bad Wolf, with BBC Studios for Disney Branded Television and BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The Christmas special premieres on Disney+ and on the BBC on December 25.

Watch the trailer for "Joy to the World" (via SFFGazettze.com) below.

🎄 Christmas 🪐 Everywhere ⏰ All at once
#DoctorWho: JOY TO THE WORLD premieres on Christmas Day on @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer in the UK and @DisneyPlus where available. pic.twitter.com/IEKL1bI8sW
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) December 5, 2024

Your check-in date has arrived 🎄✨#DoctorWho: JOY TO THE WORLD premieres on Christmas Day on @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer in the UK and @DisneyPlus where available. pic.twitter.com/rPlgpYfnyO
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) December 5, 2024

DOCTOR WHO Star Ncuti Gatwa Is Reportedly Not Long For Doctor Role As Season 3 Plans Remain Up In The Air

Recommended For You:

DOCTOR WHO Alum Matt Smith Doesn't Understand Why The Series Faces Backlash From Some Fans

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?

Want to contribute?

24 Comments

TheVisionary25 - 12/5/2024, 1:17 PM

Looks like a fun romp imo!!.

However the Two Doctors confrontation seems like the most interesting part and hints at a nice bit of character drama for this incarnation who seems to be more of an emotionally open person then other incarnations so I wonder what happens that makes him say what he does in this to himself…

I hope them showing Him and Ruby saying goodbye from the finale isn’t tied to that because she didn’t leave because he wasn’t being all mysterious I feel so hopefully that’s just a mislead in the trailer.

Anyway , I had my issues with the resolution of Ruby’s arc but did like series 14 overall so hope it continues to improve!!.

Kurban - 12/5/2024, 1:31 PM

Doctor Who doesn’t bring joy anymore.

Mugens - 12/5/2024, 1:39 PM

@Kurban - To you and I'm sure others, but not to all of us.

Apophis71 - 12/5/2024, 2:03 PM

@Kurban - I found the last season and specials overall more fun than most seasons of new Who TBH so I wouldn't say he doesn't bring 'Joy'. If anything there was less in the way of scary episodes so maybe more doesn't bring fear anymore or doesn't do serious anymore may have more merit as a point (regardless if I agree or not, which I wouldn't).

For me, and tastes differ, Ncuti is the best Doctor since at least Matt Smith tending to think he had a better first season than the 11th but to soon too call if he will end up firmly ahead or behind by the time he steps down from the role. I also feel that Ruby was one of the top three companions that New Who has had, making for probably the best pairing outside of the 11th and Amy Pond.

My current all time ranking of Doctors is Tennant 1st, Smith & Gatwa tied, Tom Baker 4th.

bkmeijer1 - 12/5/2024, 2:32 PM

@Kurban - yeah, bring back those classic Cyberman. Or just go listen to one of the audio books/dramas. Those are fun too

Apophis71 - 12/5/2024, 2:43 PM

@bkmeijer1 - You mean this one???

bkmeijer1 - 12/5/2024, 5:04 PM

@Apophis71 - okay, maybe one generation later. But them very much looking like men and having the veey warbled voices is terrifying either way.

LeDiableBlanc - 12/5/2024, 5:24 PM

@Apophis71 - I agree that this is the best since Smith. Tennant, of course is the best.

Radders - 12/6/2024, 8:43 AM

@Apophis71 - Really? As you say tastes differ as I can't stand him. Always scared, always crying, receiving constant affirmation and not a good actor (unless he's ugly crying). I didn't even find Jodie as bad, and that's saying something lol

Apophis71 - 12/6/2024, 9:36 AM

@Radders - Didn't dislike Jodie, the trouble was too many weak stories and other narrative issues such as the whole timeless child stuff...

...and too much dividing the team with the focus feeling more towards the male companion duo. The one thing I DID find annoying with her Doctor was the whole saying Fam all the time, other than that...

...also didn't find her companions as being that good and never been a fan of when the Doctor has more than two at the same time...

...prefered her over Capaldi anyway (below 9, 10 & 11) but above a bunch of classic Doctor's such as Pertwee, Davison and McGann.

I do however get why some would be against the Doctor showing emotion too much, but worked for me as having a younger Doctor who in effect left the baggage with Tennant (which would would kinda have the flipside of not being as hardened as well as the plus of less dragged down by the weight of his past).

Kurban - 12/6/2024, 4:33 PM

@Apophis71 - For me, it doesn't matter how good Gatwa is or not, Whittaker's 13 absolutely ruined the Doctor and then they brought Tennant just to spit on his face. I can't enjoy a series that hates its past as much as this one does.

marvel72 - 12/8/2024, 8:15 AM

@Radders -

Doctor Boo-Hoo

Radders - 12/9/2024, 8:53 AM

@Apophis71 - Oh yeah, the stories were really poor, lots of preaching, dreadful morality and as you say the Timeless child stuff is horrible. The companions were weak and underdeveloped and she didn't really have the chops, but at least there was a small element of the Doctor to her

Capaldi was great but was poorly served by the stories, Pertwee is my doctor so never going to agree there lol

The problem with him showing too much emotion (other than along with the other stuff it makes him look weak) but if you have a character crying all the time it looses its dramatic impact - the boy who cried wolf syndrome

Apophis71 - 12/9/2024, 9:31 AM

@Radders - I know many love Pertwee but at that time (I was VERY young, he was the first one I can remember at time the episodes dropped outside of the multiple Dr specials) something about his version didn't work at all for me but TBH never watched any classics since they first aired so...

...but as I say, differing tastes and all that and I can look seperately at if I feel someone makes for a good Doctor (for me) even if the story I watch them in is bad thus making the season worse than for another who may not have been (for me) as a lesser Doctor who was better served with stories (and companions). Dunno what it was about Capaldi as had some GREAT moments, but never fully clicked for me but again get why some would love him in the role (whilst let down a lot by many of the stories he was in).

ALL of this all said there needs to be growth in Ncuti away from being as emotive as he was, I am fine for the first as get they wanted to go with a younger more emotive starting point but would need to mature as time went on, I'd get tired of tears too if it continues in the next season regularly. I could see them having him get more hardened and possibly evolving towards the Valeyard version so as to demonstrate WHY the Doctor normaly keeps his emotions in check so much with most incarnations.

tRuckRogers46A - 12/5/2024, 1:54 PM

I'd imagine that anyone who is into Doctor Who already watches it on BBC1, Iplayer or BBC worldwide.

Wonder which muppet at Disney thought they'd gain subscriptions?
They went a bit too 'modern' for old time fans too.

TheVisionary25 - 12/5/2024, 1:58 PM

@tRuckRogers46A - I can understand it to en extent in that there’s always a chance they could get new fans internationally and old fans might be able to access it it better then like BBC America in the states

bkmeijer1 - 12/5/2024, 2:32 PM

@tRuckRogers46A - doesn't even feel like it belongs with Disney. Although I thought the same with Orville, and that turned out great too (also, let MacFarlane do Doctor Who)

Apophis71 - 12/5/2024, 2:45 PM

@bkmeijer1 - Fun fact, the first Doctor Who comics and annuals were published by Marvel.

bkmeijer1 - 12/5/2024, 5:05 PM

@Apophis71 - and Disney took over both. Guess it's somewhat full circle then

grif - 12/5/2024, 2:04 PM

does he bang himself under the tree?

DocSpock - 12/5/2024, 3:47 PM

They have so ruined Dr. Who, that I've stopped watching.

Hopefully they have plans to rescue the show some day.

marvel72 - 12/6/2024, 1:59 AM

I bet he kisses himself at least.

Radders - 12/6/2024, 8:44 AM

@marvel72 - I wouldn't be surprised

Radders - 12/6/2024, 8:44 AM

Great, as if one of him wasn't bad enough!

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

DOCTOR WHO Christmas Special Trailer Brings "Joy To The World" As The Doctor Meets...The Doctor?!

The first trailer for this year's Doctor Who Christmas special has been released and, despite uncertainty surrounding the show's future on Disney+, this looks to be another fun showcase for Ncuti Gatwa.

DOCTOR WHO Star Ncuti Gatwa Is Reportedly "Not Long" For Doctor Role As Season 3 Plans Remain Up In The Air

DOCTOR WHO Alum Matt Smith Doesn't Understand Why The Series Faces Backlash From Some Fans

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.