Happy (early) Who Year, Whovians! BBC America has set the premiere date for Season 12 of “Doctor Who,” with the series set to make its triumphant return on New Year’s Day, 2020, the cable channel revealed Monday.
The new Jodie Whittaker-led season will premiere Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 8/7c with an episode featuring a new time-traveling adventure for The Doctor (Whittaker) and her friends Ryan (Tosin Cole), Yasmin (Mandip Gill) and Graham (Bradley Walsh). Here’s the official description: Starting with a blockbuster, action-packed two-part episode entitled “Spyfall,” the Thirteenth Doctor is well and truly back with a bang.
The remaining Season 12 episodes will air weekly on Sundays at 8/7c, beginning Jan. 5.
Now can you hang on for a little more good news? OK, because BBC America also dropped the full Season 12 trailer on Monday, which introduces some creepy new monsters alongside the return of some familiar but not-so-friendly faces. You can watch that via the video above or right here.
Oh, and one more thing: BBC America, BBC Studios and Fathom Events have partnered to bring “Doctor Who” episodes to the big screen again on Jan. 5 with a one-day-only special event, featuring the premiere episode and an exclusive early unveiling of the second episode of the new season, an experience that will be simulcast to over 600 cinema screens nationwide, according to BBC America.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Whittaker, Cole and Gill, transmitted from The Paley Center for Media in New York. Tickets for the screening and a list of participating locations will be available beginning Friday, Dec. 6 at www.FathomEvents.com.
“What better way to ring in a new decade than with our favorite Time Lord? BBC America is excited to kick off the New Year with New Who, including a thrilling New Year’s Day premiere followed by new episodes every Sunday this winter,” said BBC America executive director Courtney Thomasma. “Last year, thousands of Whovians packed Madison Square Garden to celebrate Jodie Whittaker’s landmark debut as the first female Doctor. This year, we’re thrilled to partner with Fathom Events to bring that unique experience to fans all across the country, as Doctor Who embodies the idea of space for all. Let the New Year’s countdown begin!”
Before the show premieres on New Year’s Day, BBC America will air a full week of “Doctor Who” seasons and specials from years past, featuring all the modern Doctors — Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi and Jodie Whittaker — from Tuesday, Dec. 24 through Wednesday, Jan. 1. In addition, the network will also debut animated “lost episodes,” titled “The Macra Terror,” as on Thursday, Dec. 26 at 9/8c.
Along with Whittaker, returning cast members for Season 12 (the second season with Whittaker as The Doctor) include Tosin Cole (Ryan), Mandip Gill (Yaz) and Bradley Walsh (Graham).
Showrunner Chris Chibnall is also back, as is executive producer Matt Strevens.
Previously announced guest stars for Season 12 include Goran Višnjić (“ER,” “Timeless”), Stephen Fry (“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” “A Bit of Fry and Laurie”), Sir Lenny Henry CBE (“Broadchurch,” “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”) and Robert Glenister (“Paranoid,” “Law and Order: UK”). Glenister previously appeared in “Doctor Who” installment “The Caves of Androzani” in 1984.
“Doctor Who” is a BBC America co-production with BBC Studios.