Doctor Who fans were devastated when it was announced earlier this month the BBC sci-fi series would not be getting a Christmas special.
In a break from tradition, The Doctor (played by Jodie Whittaker) will return alongside her new companions in an hour-long New Year special.
Christmas specials have become a major part of the series since it was revived back in 2005, with Jodie Whittaker’s thirteenth incarnation of the iconic Time Lord introduced in last year’s festive treat.
The Doctor will be brining in 2019 in explosive fashion when she faces a sinister alien threat back on Earth.
The trio of companions Yaz Khan (Mandip Gill), Ryan Sinclair (Tosin Cole) and Graham O’Brien (Bradley Walsh) will join their time-travelling friend in fighting the invasion.
Chris Chibnall will write the New Year’s day episode, after introducing the first female incarnation of The Doctor last year.
Speaking of the hour-long episode, Chris said: “We’re thrilled to be starting the New Year with a bang on BBC One.
Adding to the excitement, BBC’s director of content Charlotte Moore said: “We’re delighted the Doctor and her companions will be welcoming BBC One audiences into 2019 with this exciting new episode.
“The Doctor’s fans are in for a special treat on the first day of the new year.”
Before then, Doctor Who fans still have four more episodes of season 11 left to watch after Yaz’s past was explored last week.
A third commented: “Absolutely loved this episode, brilliant. Very moving, very appropriate, very amazing. The music was beautiful too. #DoctorWho.”
“When #DoctorWho teaches you history stuff you’ve never ever covered in school,” a fourth stated referring to the historic context of the episode.
This week’s episode titled ‘Kerblam’ will see the Doctor arrive on a mystery plant.
The synopsis for the episode reads: “A mysterious message arrives in a package addressed to the Doctor, leading her, Graham, Yaz and Ryan to investigate the warehouse moon orbiting Kandoka, and the home of the galaxy’s largest retailer, Kerblam.”
What sinister threat will the Doctor and her companions face?
Doctor Who continues Sunday at 6.30pm on BBC One.
