Doctor Who Christmas special 2023: when is new episode The Church on Ruby Road on TV, cast, and trailer

Doctor Who came back in style this year with three 60th anniversary specials which saw David Tennant bi-generate into Ncuti Gatwa’s 15th Doctor. Now Gatwa will have the spotlight to himself with his first full episode as the Doctor in Christmas special The Church on Ruby Road.

As the title suggests, the episode will also see the introduction of the Doctor’s new companion Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson, the youngest companion to date. The special also sees the return of Seventh Doctor companion Mel Bush (Bonnie Langford) who also appeared in the final anniversary special, The Giggle.

Russell T Davies is back with his hand on the tiller, having returned as showrunner this year after a 13 year hiatus. Teasers of the special have already been shared by the BBC, and Doctor Who’s first ever Christmas single, The Goblin Song, was released this month, giving a taste of what to expect.

Is there a trailer for the Doctor Who Christmas special 2023?

Yes there is, and you can watch it right here:

What is The Church on Ruby Road about?

The Christmas episode will follow on from where The Giggle left off, with the 15th Doctor leaving London in his TARDIS, and meeting his mysterious new companion, Ruby Sunday. 

Some aspects of the plot have been revealed - for instance we know that the Doctor will meet Ruby as the pair board a flying goblin ship and attempt to save a human baby who is being served to the Goblin King for dinner. 

Who is in the cast of The Church on Ruby Road?

• Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor
• Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday
• Davina McCall as herself
• Anita Dobson as Mrs. Flood
• Michelle Greenidge as Carla
• Bonnie Langford as Melanie Bush
• Jinkx Monsoon as unknown villain
• Angela Wynter as Cherry
• Lukas DiSparrow as Cello Goblin
• Andy Francis as Keyboard Goblin
• Giuseppe Lentini as Goblin

Where was the Doctor Who Christmas special 2023 filmed?

Filming for The Church on Ruby Road began in early 2023 and was overseen by director Mark Tonderai who previously helmed season 11 episodes The Ghost Monument and Rosa five years ago.

Filming for the new season took place at Wolf Studios in Cardiff, a new studio with six film stages. Other productions filmed there include Industry, His Dark Materials, I Hate Suzie, and A Discovery of Witches.

When is the release date of the Doctor Who Christmas special 2023?

The Christmas special will air on BBC One on Christmas Day, December 25, at 5.55pm, straight after the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special. The special is 55 minutes long and will be available to watch on iPlayer shortly after it is first broadcast.

When is Doctor Who season 14 coming out?

Technically the Christmas special is the first episode of season 14, but there’ll be a break before the rest of the series airs. The series is expect to air in spring 2024, with eight episodes airing weekly on BBC One.