This year’s BBC Children in Need charity show will include a special preview of the Doctor Who Christmas special, Joy to the World.
Though we don’t know the nature of this, a listing for the programme promises a “world exclusive preview”, implying it’s different to the one previously seen at the San Diego Comic Con in July; that is, the first sequence from the episode.
This year’s Children in Need appeal will be presented by a range of people, including Lenny Rush, who played UNIT’s latest scientific advisor in the Series 14 finale, The Legend of Ruby Sunday/ Empire of Death. We don’t know whether he’ll return for any future episodes of the series — though he hasn’t been announced, it feels likely.
Joy to the World is directed by Alex Pillai and written by Steven Moffat (A Christmas Carol; Boom), this being the former showrunner’s 50th script for the show, and potentially (sadly) his last.
Obviously, Ncuti Gatwa is back as the Fifteenth Doctor, and he’ll be joined by Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls) as the titular Joy. Jonathan Aris, of Sherlock fame, is playing a Silurian called Melnak, as seen in the aforementioned clip, while Plebs‘ Joel Fry will also guest star. Phil Baxter play Sir Edmund Hillary and Samuel Sherpa-Moore is Tenzing Norgay.
Joy to the World is expected to air and stream on Christmas Day.
Children in Need will be telecast on BBC1 on Friday 15th November, starting at 7PM.
