Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies confirms Christmas special plans

There's more than one in the works.

By Iona Rowan

8 Dec 2022

Returning showrunner Russell T Davies has announced that he is working on a Christmas special for the fourteenth season of Doctor Who.

The It's A Sin creator revealed the exciting news in a new interview for Doctor Who Magazine. Davies explained: "For the first time ever, I'm writing a Christmas Special... at Christmas!"

Before he confirmed that this festive treat would be released in 2024, and shared: "And this isn't for next year, no, the 2023 script has been long since signed-off. The new one is for end-of-year 2024!"

ncuti gatwa and russell t davies at the 2021 baftas

Dave J HoganGetty Images

As Davies prepares for the show's future, Whovian fans are in the middle of a 13-month gap between the final outing of Jodie Whittaker's Doctor that aired in October, and the highly-anticipated 60th anniversary special landing in late 2023.

However, Davies reassured viewers that they won't have to wait as long for future instalments. He continued: "It takes a while to get the empire in shape, but that's a serious plan: annual Doctor Who, no gap years, lots of content, on and on."

As part of the 60th anniversary celebrations, previous Doctor Who actors such as David Tennant, Tom Baker, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Christopher Eccleston, Peter Davison and Paul McGann are set to unite for an audio drama series titled Doctor Who: Once and Future.

The eight-part series will follow the Doctor as he "sets out to solve the mystery of his 'degeneration'" while he runs into old friends and of course enemies along the way.

doctor who stars ncuti gatwa and millie gibson

Lara CornellBBC

Meanwhile, filming began earlier this week for series 14, which will see Sex Education's Ncuti Gatwa take up the mantle as the Doctor, while former Coronation Street star Millie Gibson will star as his companion, Ruby Sunday.

Following the casting announcement in Children in Need last month, Gibson said in a statement: "Whilst still being in total disbelief, I am beyond honoured to be cast as the Doctor's companion.

"It is a gift of a role, and a dream come true, and I will do everything to try and fill the boots the fellow companions have travelled in before me. And what better way to do that than being by the fabulous Ncuti Gatwa's side – I just can't wait to get started."

Doctor Who returns in 2023 on BBC One in the UK and Disney+ elsewhere. Meanwhile, in the US, the show airs on BBC America, with series 1-12 available on HBO Max. Classic Doctor Who streams on BritBox in the UK.