Doctor Who Christmas special: BBC releases action-packed trailer starring Ncuti Gatwa

9th December 2023

BBC

Doctor Who fans rejoice! The BBC has released the first trailer for the show’s 2023 Christmas special starring Ncuti Gatwa.

Back in May 2022, the Sex Education star was announced as the new Time Lord for the long-running series’ 14th season.

“There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling. A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited, and of course a little bit scared,” Gatwa shared in a statement.

“This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care.”

Since that fateful day, fans have eagerly awaited Gatwa’s new adventure as the Doctor to hit their television screens.

Fortunately for viewers, the wait is finally coming to an end this December.

After the conclusion of the Doctor Who 60th-anniversary specials – which featured the return of David Tennant and Catherine Tate and the introduction of the “bi-generation” concept – the BBC shared the first trailer of the show’s upcoming Xmas special, The Church on Ruby Road.

At the start of the visual, Gatwa’s 15th iteration of the Doctor is dancing under a disco ball while Ruby Sandy (Millie Gibson) looks on with a smile.

“Merry Christmas,” the Doctor exclaims to Ruby before the teaser transitions to his new companion hanging from a ladder attached to a floating ship.

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“What’s up there?” she asks, prompting the Time Lord to reply: “Goblins.”

As the trailer progresses, clips of their intense goblin battle flash across the screen while Gatwa’s character gushes about time travellers being great.

After two brief scenes featuring TARDIS and the sure-to-be iconic duo falling from the aforementioned ship, Ruby asks, “Who are you?” – which results in the Doctor responding with a coy and mega-watt smile.

Shortly after the trailer’s release, fans flocked to social media to express excitement over the Doctor Who Christmas special and Gatwa’s version of the beloved Time Lord.

One fan of X(formerly known as Twitter) wrote: “I’m about to have the fattest crush on this doctor.”

Another viewer commented: “I am absolutely living for Ncuti.”

A third Doctor Who fan added: “Black? Queer? An interdimensional badass that’s lived for an extremely long time and knows how to have fun wherever he goes. I’m hella ready for this season, I can’t wait to see what he does!! We needed more of this stuff for a very long time!”

Fortunately, fans won’t have to wait too long for Gatwa and Gibson’s Doctor Who adventure, with the Christmas special set to air on 25 December at 5:55 pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Check out the full teaser and first-look photos – courtesy of BBC Pictures – below.