Nick Briggs, who has been the voice of the Daleks on TV (and audio!) since 2005’s Dalek, has teased that the upcoming special, Revolution of the Daleks is a “great gift” for Doctor Who fans this festive period.

Briggs said the episode, which stars Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor, presented him with new challenges and was a lot of work, but that it’s worth it in the end:

“I think it was great that they got ahead and did this festive special – and it’s turned out to be extremely fortuitous actually, a lot more than they had probably intended. So I think it will be a great gift to Doctor Who fans and a lovely, lovely bit of Doctor Who at Christmastime, or round about whenever it’s going to be.”

Thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, restrictions have been enforced across the UK, halting production on many TV series; soaps like EastEnders and Coronation Street have started filming again, using clever camera techniques and body doubles to work within the guidelines. But Doctor Who would be another matter. Revolution of the Daleks, however, was shot before the pandemic, alongside Series 12, and is due to air sometimes over the Christmas period.

It might get its Christmas Day slot back, depending on how many other productions have began again in time; or it could follow Resolution and Spyfall in screening on New Year’s Day. Or another time entirely! No one knows. We’ve not got too long to wait now.