‘Doctor Who‘ is back all over the BBC this Christmas, with Ncuti Gatwa returning in the ‘Doctor Who: Joy To The World’ special, Patrick Troughton’s 2nd Doctor back in full colour for the first time in ‘The War Games’, and musical fun on ‘Doctor Who At The Proms’. Here’s where and when you can find them.
Doctor Who: Joy To The World – Christmas Day – 5.10pm – BBC One
‘Doctor Who: Joy To The World’ is a time-hopping trip through the history of Earth written by Steven Moffat and starring Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor, who is joined by Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton, Derry Girls) as Joy.
Joy has checked into a London hotel in 2024, only to discover that her quiet stay is anything but ordinary… When she opens a secret doorway to the Time Hotel, she discovers danger, dinosaurs and the Doctor. But a deadly plan is unfolding across the Earth, just in time for Christmas.
Where has the Doctor been? What is going on in Joy’s hotel room? An old enemy of the Doctor’s is lurking in the wings, and all of human history hangs in the balance. Can the Doctor save Christmas – everywhere, all at once?
Doctor Who: The War Games In Colour – Monday, 23rd December 2024 – 7:30pm – BBC Four
‘Doctor Who: The War Games In Colour’ sees the 2nd Doctor, played by Patrick Troughton, in his classic final episode, now with a stunning new colourisation, and a never-before-seen regeneration…
Originally airing in 1969, ‘The War Games’ marked the end of an era for the Second Doctor, following him and his companions Zoe and Jamie as they land in a battlefield that appears to be a World War I military zone – but all is not as it seems. They soon discover that soldiers from different historical periods have been abducted and are being manipulated in a cruel game. As they work to uncover the mystery behind the War Lord and his twisted experiments, the Doctor faces one of his most difficult challenges.
For the first time, these original episodes have been meticulously colourised and enhanced with updated visual effects edited into a new, 90-minute feature-length experience. With updated sound and a new score, this newly updated version of ‘The War Games’ offers both fans and newcomers even more ways to watch the much-loved classic story.
In addition, the episode will also feature the Second Doctor’s never-before-seen regeneration into the Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee), alongside recovered footage not seen since the original broadcast.
Doctor Who at the Proms 2024 – Christmas Eve – 4:10pm – BBC Two
‘Doctor Who at the Proms 2024’, hosted by Doctor Who fan favourite Catherine Tate in this concert of music, monsters and mayhem featuring soundtracks from the iconic series; a brand new, specially shot feature for the new Doctor and a host of scary aliens as they thrill a packed audience at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
‘Doctor Who: The War Games In Colour’ premieres Monday, 23rd December 2024 at 7:30pm on BBC Four, then ‘Doctor Who at the Proms 2024’ airs Christmas Eve at 4:10pm on BBC Two, with ‘Doctor Who: Joy To The World’ premiering Christmas Day at 5.10pm on BBC One.
