Why Doctor Who's Christmas Special HAS To Succeed! (Joy To The World)

Why Doctor Who's Christmas Special HAS To Succeed! (Joy To The World)



Second Channel: @tharriesyt

Doctor Who is a British science-fiction television programme broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The programme depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the universe in a time-travelling space ship called the TARDIS. The TARDIS exterior appears as a blue British police box, which was a common sight in Britain in 1963 when the series first aired. With various companions, the Doctor combats foes, works to save civilisations, and helps people in need.

Beginning with William Hartnell, fifteen actors have headlined the series as the Doctor. The transition from one actor to another is written into the plot of the show with the concept of regeneration into a new incarnation, a plot device in which a Time Lord "transforms" into a new body when the current one is too badly harmed to heal normally.

The fourteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who is set to premiere on 11 May 2024, and is expected to air through to 22 June. It will be the fifth series led by Russell T Davies as head writer and executive producer and the first since his return to the show, having previously worked on it from 2005 to 2010. This series is set to be the fourteenth to air following the programme's revival in 2005 and will be the fortieth season overall. The fourteenth series was announced with Davies' return to the programme for its 60th anniversary in 2023 and beyond, with Bad Wolf becoming a co-producer for the series. The series is referred to in marketing and promotional material as "Season One" following the production changes and the acquisition of Doctor Who's international broadcasting rights by Disney+.

The series stars Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, a new incarnation of the Doctor, an alien Time Lord who travels through time and space in the TARDIS, which appears to be a British police box from the outside. The Fifteenth Doctor was introduced in "The Giggle" (2023) through a "bi-generation", in which he split from his predecessor, the Fourteenth Doctor (David Tennant), rather than replacing him. The series also introduces Millie Gibson as the Doctor's newest companion, Ruby Sunday.

The series, which was preceded by a Christmas episode on 25 December 2023, will consist of eight episodes, which have been directed by Julie Anne Robinson, Ben Chessell, Dylan Holmes Williams, and Jamie Donoughue. Alongside Davies, who wrote six of the episodes, the writers include Kate Herron, Briony Redman, and former showrunner and head writer Steven Moffat. Filming began in December 2022 and concluded in July 2023. It was the first series to be produced at Wolf Studios Wales following the move from Roath Lock Studios for the preceding anniversary specials.

Auditions for the role of the Fifteenth Doctor started in December 2021, assisted by casting director Andy Pryor. Davies was interested in casting "new talent" and someone "younger", with most of the actors who auditioned under the age of 30. There was also no limit on gender and background, with auditions held for men, women, and one non-binary actor. Pryor said that when casting the Doctor, "you always want someone unexpected... an actor who contrasts with what's gone before yet still brings those essential qualities that the Doctor has". Ncuti Gatwa was the final candidate to audition for the role. Davies said that the production team "thought [they] had someone and then in he came and stole it", describing it as "the most blazing audition". Executive producer Phil Collinson stated that Gatwa "did things with that I'd never seen an actor playing Doctor Who do".

On 9 January 2023, the BBC announced that Aneurin Barnard would appear as the mysterious Roger ap Gwilliam, and that Jemma Redgrave, having reprised her role in the previous series would continue to appear as Kate Stewart during the fourteenth series. On 20 January 2023, further casting announcements from the BBC revealed that Anita Dobson and Michelle Greenidge would appear as Ms Flood and Carla Sunday. On 3 April 2023, it was announced that Jinkx Monsoon would play a major antagonistic role in the series, called "Maestro". On 5 May 2023, it was announced that Jonathan Groff would play a key role in the series. On 24 May 2023, the BBC announced that Indira Varma would join the series to play The Duchess. On 7 June 2023, Bonnie Langford was announced to be reprising her role as Mel Bush for the series. On 15 June 2023, Lenny Rush was also announced, to play a "mysterious" character named Morris. Alexander Devrient will reprise his role as Colonel Christopher Ibrahim.

#doctorwho #ncutigatwa #15thdoctor

[grantmason]

I've got to agree the midnight UK release did nothing to benefit the brand, and likely harmed it. As far as I could make at midnight in the UK didn't equate to a significant time on either East or West Coast of the US. On that basis a 7pm UK release would have been just as valid and may possibly have pushed the risible viewing figures up a bit. Before anyone claims midnight is simply the logical release window, I would point to other BBC shows where the corporation has no issue dropping episodes at other times of day. Most episodes of EastEnders for example are available from 6am.

[michaelstewart]

The problem is that it will be brilliant because Moffat has written it, and then it will get my hopes up and then Season 2 will be back to being a hot mess. The faces of fans coming out the cinema after Empire of Death. It felt like a wake.

[noneyabizness]

Ncuti landed with an absolute thud in America. It may do well in the UK, but the first season really didnt so I really dont see it making a sudden comeback. Expect lower viewership, just like with Jodies run.

[philstraintravels]

Fingers crossed it gets a simultaneous 6 or 7pm time slot for both BBC One and iPlayer in the UK because that still gives the apparently most important Disney market, the US a 12 noon launch time. If the UK does get it later I hope they put the UHD/4K version on the iPlayer at the same time as BBC One rather than making us wait until after transmission as they did with the 60th specials.

[StarburstMirabella]

its moffat, i am NOT worried for the quality. i am worried for the fan reaction

[aloysiusthefish]

I'm not being funny but all the "naff" Moffat Christmas specials you allude to I think are the ones the "general viewer" fw the most. I mean I remember my Uncle (who is a professional hater) saying "That was the best Doctor Who I've seen in years" after The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe, bemoaning the rest of the show becoming convoluted and inaccessible. Likewise, my non-fan Mum absolutely loved - like, rewatched multiple times - Return of Doctor Mysterio. And I'm ngl that's one of my favourites, too.

[westthstreet]

I've said this before but some ppl think Dr who should have gone on Netflix cuz it would have done better. But the thing about Netflix is they wouldn't have any type of secure long future. Netflix cancels shows before there even out. Disney is a more stressful beginning but if it successful on Disney it get a long more secure future

[gemstonesvideograpghy]

Another ridiculous story with a Silurian dressed up in a tuxedo. It will be a Joy to watch on Christmas Day, having a laugh. Silurians should be threatening. More crying for the Doctor, possibly?

[Andy-wlxy]

To be fair to Chris Chibnall, moving to new year wasn't his decision.

[KingofPotatoPeople]

It was a pretty weak run of stories aside from Boom, I’m sad to say. RTD needs to get back into the groove. It’s not really Disney or the tired old wokeness complaints - anyone who complains about woke you’ve been played I’m sorry - it’s just not very good stories. Maybe hiring an actor as your Doctor who hadn’t finished making another massive show was a bad idea too…….Gatwa’s hardly in it. I hate the costume changes every episode. The fantasy element is a terrible misstep, and the last five minutes of the Devil’s Chord was self indulgent twaddle that belonged in a BBC ident and nowhere else. That song and dance routine is the closest I ever got to switching Who off early. There’s a clear amount of talent but there’s hubris in that season 1…..’we can do what we want and people will still watch.’ Well no actually.

[jfrance]

I've always preferred Moffat's Christmas specials over RTD's, which is already one up from last years which i thought was pretty boring.

[Sigurd-r]

What about a script editor from the Beeb?
I agree that the first showing would be better on Christmas Day evening. Also, on the US East coast it would be on at lunchtime, which is fine, on the West coast at breakfast time, which is also fine. Like T says, opening presents time, or just after. Heck, it's better than in the UK at midnight. Zombie hour Doctor Who should be for Halloween!

[tryingmybest]

a whovian channel that doesn't praise roseten like it's the best thing ever? Immediately subscribed lmao

[Sigurd-r]

At least JNT got on and produced the show!

[RockyMcGruff]

Just curious, in Australia, we don’t normally watch TV at Christmas time as it’s hot and we are out in the backyard drinking and playing cricket. But im wondering if in other climates that are cold, are they watching TV inside - or is that a uniquely British thing to do? What about the US, Europe, Asia?

As always, love your work. 😊

[Cure]

The 60th anniversary was a major opportunity to essentially fix the show. Sadly that opportunity was squandered. We then got a really weak series that lost millions during its run. A change of direction is massively needed. You can’t spend millions on a tv show that is only appealing to such a niche audience. I love Doctor Who I really do. But the quality of this show has seriously diminished.

[lagnok]

The title, the tone of the video, almost getting hilariously close to the over panicky fan click-bait i would have thought you better than.

[al]

It doesn’t matter 😂 moffat isn’t running season 2 just this one special if it’s great! Awesome but again we are going to suffer the same teriible and confusing writing that comes for RTD

[kingemerald]

Barts birthday is a better season opener than space babies it's strange enough to where it's unique even for a simpsons episode that hasn't been as experimental since the Oakley seasons. It plays with the status quo while making fun of all of the typical series' final tropes. Bart is experiencing an existential crisis and is confused as to why people are moving on so quickly despite everything staying the same for years he even questions why he's turning 11 even though he never ages. This is something that season one of doctor who should have done played on the weirdness a bit more instead of doing an episode that doesn't fit the bizarrness

[KyCheezebro]

The Flux was better than series 14 and probably will be better than series 15 as well, i hope im wrong on that.
If only Steven Moffat had stayed to write Jodie's era and series 13 was 18 episodes like per usual.