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Doctor Who: New Christmas Special Images Spotlight Gatwa, Gibson

Ncuti Gatwa & Millie Gibson get the spotlight in these new preview images for the Doctor Who Christmas special, "The Church on Ruby Road."



Article Summary

  • New Doctor Who Christmas special "The Church on Ruby Road" set to air on December 25th.
  • Ncuti Gatwa returns as the Fifteenth Doctor, joined by Millie Gibson's character Ruby Sunday.
  • Showrunner Russell T. Davies promises a Christmas feast with goblins and guest stars.
  • Jemma Redgrave returns, with Nicola Coughlan set to guest star in the 2024 Christmas special.

Now that the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary special event has come to a close, it's time for a new series of adventures featuring Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor and Millie Gibson's Ruby Sunday. And that begins on Christmas Day (December 25th on BBC One, BBC iPlayer & Disney+) with the special, "The Church on Ruby Road." Gatwa's Doctor comes face-to-face with the mythical & mysterious goblins – and with the mysterious Ruby – in the holiday adventure. Little is known about the Doctor's future companion as she was abandoned on Christmas Eve as a baby. Now living with her mum, Carla, and grandmother, Cherry, her world is about to be turned upside down when she encounters the Doctor and takes off with them in the TARDIS. Following up on the release of the official trailer, we also have a look at a set of preview images offering a new look at our new leads:

Doctor Who
Image: BBC
Doctor Who
Image: BBC
Doctor Who: New Christmas Special Images Spotlight Gatwa, Gibson
Image: BBC
Doctor Who: New Christmas Special Images Spotlight Gatwa, Gibson
Image: BBC

Joining Gatwa & Gibson for showrunner Russell T. Davies's special are Davina McCall (playing herself), Michelle Greenidge (Ruby's mum Carla), Angela Wynter (Ruby's grandmother Cherry), and Anita Dobson as Mrs. Flood. "It is beyond an honour to be asked to appear in not only Doctor Who but also Ncuti's first episode as the new Doctor. It was such an extraordinary experience, and Russell has written you all a Christmas delight! Now I just can't wait for everyone to see it!" McCall shared in a statement. Davies added, "From Day One in this job, I wanted 'Doctor Who' back on Christmas Day! And with Ncuti, Millie, Davina, and the Goblin King, I hope it's a feast for all the family!"

Doctor Who: Looking Ahead to Series 14/Series 1 & Series 15/Series 2

Along with Jemma Redgrave (Kate Lethbridge-Stewart), Aneurin Barnard (Roger ap Gwilliam), and Jack Forsyth-Noble (Will), Doctor Who Magazine #589 also confirmed that Bhav Joshi (Wedding Season), Eilidh Loan (Traces), Pete MacHale (Gangs of London), Miles Yekinni (Slow Horses), and Hemi Yeroham (Mamma Mia!) have joined the cast for the new series. In addition, Jinkx Monsoon (RuPaul's Drag Race) was also confirmed to have joined the cast – followed by Jonathan Groff (Glee, Mindhunter) and Indira Varma (Obsession, Game of Thrones) – as The Duchess – in May 2023.

Bonnie Langford was confirmed to be returning as Melanie Bush in June 2023, along with Lenny Rush (Am I Being Unreasonable) as Morris. In early August 2023, we also learned that Gemma Arrowsmith (Gemma Arrowsmith Sketched Out) and Mary Malone (Vera, The Prince) had joined the Christmas Special – while Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy (Hollyoaks) and Billy Brayshaw (Still So Awkward) had joined the Series 14 cast. In November 2023, we also learned that Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls, Bridgerton) was set to guest star in the 2024 Christmas Special. On the writing side, we learned late last month that Kate Herron (Loki, Sex Education) & Briony Redman (Pont Brec) had co-written the episode that Groff and Varma are starring in during the upcoming series.

doctor who
The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa). (Image: James Pardon/BBC Studios/Bad Wolf)

And here's a look at Gold, Segun Akinola, and the BBC National Orchestra performing our upcoming Doctor's new theme – along with some words from RTD near the end:

Here's a look back at a video showcasing Gold & Akinola's new take on the Doctor Who theme:


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Ray FlookAbout Ray Flook

Serving as Television Editor since 2018, Ray began five years earlier as a contributing writer/photographer before being brought onto the core BC team in 2017.
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