Is There a 'Doctor Who' Christmas Special 2018? How to Watch Previous Episodes and What You Need To Know

Doctor Who
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Get ready for the Doctor Who <s>Christmas New Year Special.

Though it may break the 13-year tradition, The Doctor will be making a festive return. An hour-long adventure will air January 1 on BBC, featuring Jodie Whittaker's Doctor and her Tardis team, according to a Radio Times report.

"We're thrilled to be starting the New Year with a bang on BBC1, as Jodie Whittaker's Doctor and friends face a terrifying alien threat in an action-packed, hour-long special adventure for all the family," showrunner Chris Chibnall said of the change.

"The Doctor's fans are in for a special treat on the first day of the new year," added BBC Director of Content Charlotte Moore.

As to why the sudden change in festive-themed episodes, former Doctor Who writer Steven Moffat previously suggested Christmas special creativity may have begun to dwindle after 13 years; so it could be speculated that Chibnall decided it was time to create a new holiday-themed tradition.

Though it may be nice to have a taste of Tardis in 2019, it is still possible to satisfy the Christmas special tradition by visiting past episodes.

How to Watch

BBC America will present have a Doctor Who marathon –starting with all the Christmas specials at 12 p.m. ET/PT on Monday, until Christmas Day.

Following the Christmas festivities, a marathon of all the Doctors will begin – starting with Peter Capaldi, followed by Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, and Matt Smith, leading straight into the 'Who Year' special on January 1.

"Jodie Whittaker and the dynamic new team have propelled Doctor Who to become TV's fastest growing scripted series of the year. 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," Courtney Thomasma, executive director of BBC America told BBC America.

If you don't have BBC America, or simply prefer online streaming, every episode of the modern Doctor Who series, 2005 to present, including every special, is currently on BBC iPlayer.

All Christmas specials are also available for Amazon Prime users starting at $3.99.

Episode Details

So far, the BBC has only confirmed the four leading character to make an appearance in the New Year special: The Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz.

The special will be titled 'Resolution' and BBC has also confirmed its synopsis, according to a Digital Spy report.

As the New Year begins, a terrifying evil is stirring, from across the centuries of Earth's history. As the Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz return home, will they be able to overcome the threat to planet Earth?

Uncommon Knowledge

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About the writer


Hannah Preston works remotely from the Los Angeles area. She studied Journalism & New Media at California Baptist University and interned ... Read more

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