Doctor Who Press Luncheon - A special press event to celebrate the recent announcement of Disney+ partnership with the BBC and their iconic franchise, Doctor Who - and to continue the social buzz for the news. (Disney/Lorenzo Bevilaqua) NCUTI GATWA
As part of the gear up for the holiday season, Disney has revealed the title of the Doctor Who 2023 Christmas special and confirmed the episode’s air date. “The Church on Ruby Road” will air on December 25th, though the time that the episode will drop on Disney+ has not yet been confirmed.
“The Church on Ruby Road” will be Ncuti Gatwa’s first full episode as the Doctor and will introduce new companion Ruby Sunday played by Millie Gibson (Coronation Street). It has been teased that Ncuti Gatwa will appear in some form in the upcoming 60th anniversary specials, but the holiday special will mark his full takeover as the new Doctor.
As the home of new episodes of Doctor Who outside of the UK and Ireland, Disney+ shared the news of the episode’s title in a round-up of different seasonal episodes and movies that are perfect for this time of year. The “Seasons Streamings” tweet/post surprised many Doctor Who fans, especially as the air dates of the 60th anniversary specials were revealed only a month before the first special was due to air.
“The Church on Ruby Road” also marks the return of Doctor Who’s year-end special to Christmas Day. Starting when Chris Chibnall took over the role of showrunner, the specials moved to New Year’s Day. 2018 was the first year without an episode airing on Christmas since the show returned in 2005. The show also aired no “festive season” themed episodes in 2022, choosing instead to end Jodie Whittaker’s run as the Doctor with a special that coincided with the BBC’s 100th anniversary in late October 2022.
Unlike the news for Doctor Who’s 2023 Christmas special, the 60th anniversary titles and airdates were announced at around the same time by Disney and the BBC. Starting on Saturday, November 25th the three specials will air on both Disney+ and the BBC. “The Star Beast” starts the trio of specials, followed by “Wild Blue Yonder” on December 2nd and “The Giggle” on December 9th.
Doctor Who fans certainly have a lot to look forward to when the show finally comes back from its over-a-year-long hiatus later this month. With three anniversary specials featuring the return of David Tennant as the Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble and Ncuti Gatwa’s first full turn in the TARDIS this Christmas, there’s a lot to be excited about for the rest of the year. Add in the fact that filming has already finished on Gatwa’s first series as the Doctor and filming for his second has already started and things look even better!
Stay tuned for more Doctor Who news as we hear it!
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