Hold on to your sonic screwdrivers, “Doctor Who” fans, because we have some Earth-shattering news: The annual Christmas special is being moved from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day. So, a New Year’s Day special — or “Who Year’s Day” special, if you will.
Yes, the long-running BBC America series is shifting the highly-anticipated installment from its traditional Dec. 25 slot to Jan. 1. The all-new episode — which is going by the moniker “Who Year’s Day,” by the way — is written by series showrunner Chris Chibnall and directed by Wayne Yip (“Preacher,” “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency”).
Here’s the logline for the special, which will be the first featuring the 13th Doctor, Jodie Whittaker: As the New Year begins, a terrifying evil is stirring from across the centuries of Earth’s history. Will the Doctor, Ryan (Tosin Cole), Graham (Bradley Walsh) and Yaz (Mandip Gill) be able to overcome this threat to Planet Earth?
While fans await the episode they can spend their time binging seasons past, with BBC America airing a “Doctor Who” marathon, starting with all the Christmas specials at 12 p.m. ET/PT on Monday, Dec. 24 going through Dec. 25.
But wait, there’s more! The network will also air a marathon of all the previous Doctors, starting with Peter Capaldi, followed by Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, and Matt Smith, leading up to the Whittaker-led New Year’s special.
“Jodie Whittaker and the dynamic new team have propelled ‘Doctor Who’ to become TV’s fastest growing scripted series of the year,” said Courtney Thomasma, executive director of BBC America. “We can’t think of a better holiday gift to the fans than a week-long marathon of Doctor Who Christmas specials and fan-favorite episodes leading into 2019 with new traditions and our first-ever ‘Who Year’s Day’ special.”
“We’re thrilled to be starting the New Year with a bang, as Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor and friends face a terrifying alien threat in an action-packed, hour-long special adventure for all the family,” Chibnall added.
The finale of the current season will air on Sunday, December 9th at 8pm/7c on BBC AMERICA.