The official synopsis of Doctor WhoThe 2024 seasonal special has been revealed, revealing its full cast while teasing the return of an old enemy. Picking up after the events of Doctor Who In season 14, the episode will see the Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) drawn to a hotel that offers a selection of rooms from throughout human history. With Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday reconnecting with her family, Bridgerton and Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan will take on the role of new companion Joy.
With less than 30 days to go until “Joy to the World” airs, the BBC Media Center released a full synopsis of the upcoming Doctor Who seasonal episode as part of your Christmas Day television guide. While Joy checks into a seemingly ordinary hotel, she is drawn into an adventure with the Fifteenth Doctor across Earth throughout her storyalthough there is much more in store for the two. Check out the synopsis below:
Ham and cheese toast and pumpkin spice latte? The Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, returns this Christmas for a time travel through Earth’s history. The episode features Joy, starring Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton, Derry Girls), who checks into a London hotel in 2024, only to discover that her peaceful stay is anything but ordinary. When Joy opens a secret door to the Time Hotel, she discovers danger, dinosaurs and the Doctor. But a deadly plan is unfolding across the Earth, just in time for Christmas. Where has the Doctor been? What’s going on in Joy’s hotel room? An old enemy of the Doctor is lurking behind the scenes and all of human history is at stake. Will the Doctor be able to save Christmas, everywhere, at once?
In addition to the synopsis, the complete cast list for “Joy to the World” was released. Alongside Gatwa, Coughlan and the previously seen Jonathan Aris as the Silurian Melnak, the episode will feature Our flag means death and CruellaJoel Fry as Trev DarkPeter Benedict as Basil, Steph de Whalley as Anita, Julie Watson and Niam Marie Smith as Sylvia.
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A returning villain has already been confirmed to play a role in the upcoming seasonal special. After returning in season 14’s “Boom”, it was confirmed that Melnak is associated with weapons manufacturer Villengard, a group the Doctor previously overthrew in his ninth incarnation. Although they are unlikely to play a major role, the cover of Doctor Who Magazinethe next issue of the magazine featured a tribute to Prisoner Zerothe main antagonist of Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor debut, “The Eleventh Hour”.
However, a Christmas-inspired pattern featuring a Dalek also appeared in the background behind Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor. Yet to be seen on screen in the Gatwa era, it was teased by executive producer Joe Collins and production designer Philip Sims that not only would the Daleks return, but they would also get a redesign. Although Villengard is apparently the force responsible for the Doctor’s seasonal problems, wouldn’t it be strange for the Daleks to manipulate ambitious and greedy parties to carry out his orders, then his presence on the cover of the magazine could be a subtle hint of his involvement.
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A unique adventure may offer a chance for a brief enemy return
Currently, “Joy to the World” is a standalone adventure that will take a break from the threads that Doctor Who season 15 will continue. According to writer Steven Moffat, he was given the freedom to develop his own story while showrunner Russell T Davies continued to develop the main series. As such, the episode could offer a lot of freedom for some classic enemies to return without having to worry about transitioning to the next episodes in 2025.
With less than a month to go, viewers may not have to wait long until new hints about the special’s enemies emerge. Along with the magazine’s next issue, new trailers may offer a hint as to what’s behind the events of Doctor Who2024 seasonal special.
Source: BBC Media Center