Doctor Who to Feature a Christmas Special This Year

When the BBC announced a competitive tender for Doctor Who, it left fans in a lurch, especially those eager for news about the upcoming Christmas special. This year, there won’t be one, as showrunner Russell T. Davies and production company Bad Wolf decided to step aside, allowing new creatives to take the series in a fresh direction.

But there’s good news on the horizon! A Doctor Who Christmas special is indeed in the works, and it will feature Christopher Eccleston at the helm.

Eccleston, renowned for his portrayal of the Ninth Doctor, teamed up with Billie Piper as his companion Rose Tyler to face off against Daleks, Slitheen, and even sentient gas masks during his brief tenure as the Time Lord. After two decades, he’s making a comeback in a special full-cast audio drama from Big Finish titled The Ninth Doctor Adventures: The Wash.

Written by Robert Valentine, The Wash brings together two generations of Doctor Who: the Ninth Doctor and his granddaughter, Susan, with Carole Ann Ford reprising her role in this new audio-only drama. Here’s a glimpse of the adventure.

As Rose and Jackie dive into their Christmas preparations, the Doctor takes on the task of doing laundry. The Wash Inn serves as a refuge for lonely souls, and who could be lonelier than the last of the Time Lords?

But why is the memory of his granddaughter, Susan, starting to haunt him? What sinister force is hiding in an innocent washing machine? And is there enough Brite White in the universe to tackle it? All will be revealed in The Wash…

Eccleston expressed his excitement for the upcoming special, stating, “This was a brilliant, really outstanding script. I love the idea that as we go through life, especially as a Time Lord, everyone you meet stays with you.” He also shared his enthusiasm about working with Carole, saying, “I think ‘An Unearthly Child’ is the greatest episode ever made — that was my inspiration when I made the TV series. She’s a pro, absolutely brilliant — a real honor.”

“An Unearthly Child” is the inaugural episode of Doctor Who, introducing the First Doctor, played by William Hartnell, along with his four companions, including his granddaughter Susan Foreman, portrayed by Carole Ann Ford.

Ford added, “[The Wash] is such a strong story. Susan encourages this Doctor to sort himself out and be less touchy with people. I think listeners will be cheering for Susan!”

The Ninth Doctor Adventures: The Wash is set to premiere on Dec. 22, streaming on the official Doctor Who YouTube channel, allowing fans around the globe to tune in together.

Even if fans miss the live stream, the audio drama will remain available for free on the Doctor Who YouTube channel for a month afterward, providing the perfect opportunity to enjoy this Christmas-themed adventure during the holiday season.