DOCTOR WHO

Earlier this week the BBC released a promotional picture for 2019’s Doctor Who New Year’s special.  This will be Who’s first year without a Christmas special after an unbroken 13-year run. Now, we’ve gotten a second photo and a synopsis for the New Year’s special.  Warning, the synopsis has some spoilers!

SPOILER WARNING

The unnamed episode is written by showrunner Chris Chibnall and directed by Wayne Yip.  Previously, Yip directed two episodes of Peter Capaldi’s Doctor Who and two episodes of the Who Universe spin-off series Class.  Jodie Whittaker is returning as the Doctor, but more importantly, so is Tosin Cole as Ryan, Mandip Gill as Yaz, and Bradley Walsh as Graham.  The Doctor’s companions all appear to make it through the Season 11 finale.

NEW YEAR’S SYNOPSIS

As the New Year begins, a terrifying evil is stirring, from across the centuries of Earth’s history. As the Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz return home, will they be able to overcome the threat to planet Earth?

Chibnall said, “We’re thrilled to be starting the New Year with a bang on BBC1, as Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor and friends face a terrifying alien threat in an action-packed, hour-long special adventure for all the family.”

HISTORY OF WHO SPECIALS

Previously, Christmas specials have punctuated changes in the series.  David Tennant had his first adventure as the Tenth Doctor in “The Christmas Invasion.”  Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor regenerated during “Twice Upon a Time.”  And while Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor regenerated during 2010’s “The End of Time, Part Two” (a New Year’s special), his final adventure began in “The End of Time, Part One” (the 2009 Christmas special)

NO MORE CHRISTMAS

An earlier announcement by the BBC that there would be no Christmas special this year caused a huge outcry from fans.  Most were placated when the BBC announced a New Year’s Special for 2019.  So, fans would only have to wait an extra week for their winter dose of Doctor Who.

Picture shows: The Doctor (JODIE WHITTAKER)