“The Time of the Doctor”
© BBC/Ray Burmiston
The BBC has released the first promotional poster (above) for the Doctor Who Christmas Special, titled: “The Time of the Doctor”.
The official synopsis for the episode reads:
“Orbiting a quiet backwater planet, the massed forces of the universe’s deadliest species gather, drawn to a mysterious message that echoes out to the stars. And amongst them – the Doctor.
Rescuing Clara from a family Christmas dinner, the Time Lord and his best friend must learn what this enigmatic signal means for his own fate and that of the universe.”
The episode which will see the departure of current Doctor Matt Smith, with the Thick Of It actor Peter Capaldi taking on the mantle. How, is yet to be revealed, as the mythology of Doctor Who always stated The Doctor could only regenerate twelve times however, showrunner Steven Moffat told the Radio Times:
“The 12 regenerations limit is a central part of Doctor Who mythology – science fiction is all about rules, you can’t just casually break them.”
Teasing, “So if the Doctor can never change again, what’s Peter Capaldi doing in the Christmas special?”
The Mirror also reports a show source saying:
“The riddle of the regeneration problem, something fans have talked about for decades, will be faced head on at Christmas. There is going to be another huge cliffhanger and somehow Peter Capaldi has to join and the series has to continue.
“The show’s big fans, known as Whovians, won’t believe their eyes at Christmas.”
Matt Smith’s Doctor will also talk of “dying” in an emotional speech in the December 25 episode.
Orla Brady will star as “a character from the Doctor’s past.” Jenna Coleman will also return as companion Clara, as well as some of The Doctor’s classic nemesis’ including; the Cybermen and The Silence.
Watch the Christmas Special teaser trailer
Doctor Who Christmas Special will air on Christmas Day with the time yet to be announced.
