Doctor Who is returning for its latest Christmas Special this year, which will guest star Nicola Coughlan alongside Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor.

Former showrunner Steven Moffat returns to write the episode, following on from penning 'Boom' in Gatwa's first full series as the Time Lord.

The episode finds The Doctor adjusting to life as a solo traveller again after Ruby's (Mille Gibson) departure from the TARDIS.

Adventure is thrust upon him once again when he stumbles upon the Time Hotel, a lodging capitalising on time travel to sell festive stays through history.

However, something's not quite right, and the Doctor teams up with several characters, including singleton Joy (Coughlan) to try and save humanity.

A synopsis on the Radio Times reads: "From a war-torn Manchester hotel in 1940 to the Orient Express travelling across Italy in 1962, the Doctor is determined to deliver a toasted sandwich and a pumpkin latte.

"The base camp at Everest in 1953 is also a wrong turn on his travels, but at the Sandringham Hotel in 2024, he meets a single woman called Joy.

"When she opens a secret doorway to the Time Hotel, Joy discovers danger and dinosaurs. But a deadly plan is unfolding across the Earth, just in time for Christmas."

Speaking about the episode to the Radio Times, showrunner Russell T Davies said: "Doctor Who is just very Christmassy.

"It feels like family, it feels entertaining. It’s got comedy and tragedy."

Meanwhile, writer Moffat agreed, adding: "Doctor Who occupies the same space in a child’s mind as Santa Claus. You know, he’s grumpy to adults, but loves kids. The Doctor and Santa have always belonged together."

Doctor Who Christmas Special 2024 full cast list

  • Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor
  • Nicola Coughlan as Joy
  • Steph de Whalley as Anita
  • Jonathan Aris as Melnak
  • Joel Fry as Trev
  • Peter Benedict as Basil
  • Julia Watson as Hilda
  • Niamh Marie Smith as Sylvia

Recommended reading:

  • Phil Baxter as Edmund Hilary
  • Samuel Sherpa-Moore as Tenzing Norgay
  • Joshua Leese as Mr Single
  • Fiona Marr as Angela Grace

When will Doctor Who's 2024 Christmas Special be on TV?

Doctor Who's Christmas Special for 2024 will air at 5.10pm on BBC One on Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25).

Once the episode has aired it will become available to watch on BBC iPlayer.