Since Doctor Who first graced our screens in 1963 audiences have watched 13 actors take on the iconic role across 40 seasons.
From Tom Baker to Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi to Jodie Whittaker, the quintessential British sci-fi is known for its seamless ability to replace its leading men (and women!) throughout its almost 900-episode franchise.
With Jodie herself stepping down from the role of the Doctor in 2023, all eyes were on Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa as he geared up to play the titular character.
“There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling,” Ncuti shared at the time of the announcement. “A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared.”
“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. I will endeavour my utmost to do the same.”
With his first season as the fifteenth Doctor done and dusted – all eyes are on the Rwandan-Scottish actor as he takes on the highly-anticipated Christmas Special.
Will there be a 2024 Doctor Who Christmas special?
In 2024 there will be a Doctor Who Christmas Special aptly titled “Joy to the World.”
The episode is set to star Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor and Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan as Joy.
But before his season drops, audiences will have the chance to see David Tennant reprise his role as Doctor Who celebrates its 60th anniversary.
Whilst details are still under wraps, we have a few ideas about the special thanks to the official synopsis: When Joy checks into a London hotel in 2024, she opens a secret doorway to the Time Hotel — discovering danger, dinosaurs and the Doctor. But a deadly plan is unfolding across the Earth, just in time for Christmas.
Where to watch the Doctor Who Christmas special in Australia
Aussies will be able to stream the new 2024 Doctor Who Christmas special through Disney+ from December 26.
The streaming platform is also home to the 60th Anniversary Special, Ncuti’s debut season (2024) and new episodes in 2025 for anyone outside of The UK and Ireland.
Stream the Doctor Who 2024 Christmas Special now on Disney Plus with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
Where can I watch Dr. Who’s 60th anniversary special?
To commemorate 60 years of the show, three anniversary Christmas specials were released in 2023. In Australia, the first special titled “The Star Beast” was released on November 26. The second, titled “Wild Blue Yonder” premiered on December 3 and the third, “The Giggle” was released on December 10.
The =anniversary Christmas special reunited the Fourteenth Doctor (David Tennant) and Donna Temple-Noble (Catherine Tate) as they came face-to-face with their most terrifying villain yet: the Toymaker (played by Neil Patrick Harris).
Additional cast included Yasmin Finney as Rose Temple-Noble and Miriam Margolyes as the voice of the Meep, as well as returning characters Jacqueline King as Sylvia Noble, Karl Collins as Shaun Temple, Ruth Madeley as Shirley Anne Bingham, and Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart.
The Best Doctor Who Chrismas Specials
Although the 2023 and 2024 Christmas Specials are available to stream on Disney+, you can re-watch your favourite past Doctor Who Specials on Amazon Prime Video. The streaming platform has several Christmas specials from season one to season ten, however, we’ve also rounded up some of our favourites.
- The Husbands of River Song (2015), stream on Prime Video, Here
- A Christmas Carol (2011), stream on Prime Video, Here
- Last Christmas (2014), stream on Prime Video, Here
- The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (2011), stream on Prime Video, Here
- The End of Time, Pt. 1 (2010), stream on Prime Video, Here
- The End of Time, Pt. 2 (2010), stream on Prime Video, Here
