Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan is officially taking the TARDIS for a spin (well, maybe not driving it—insurance must be astronomical). The 37-year-old actress is joining Doctor Who for the Christmas special “Joy to the World,” and honestly, we’re already picturing her trying to sip tea while dodging space dinosaurs.
What’s the Deal with This Special?
So, here’s the scoop: Nicola plays Joy, a seemingly ordinary hotel guest in London, 2024. But surprise! This is Doctor Who, so naturally, her holiday getaway comes with an unexpected twist—a secret doorway to the Time Hotel. Spoiler alert: it’s less “complimentary breakfast” and more “deadly alien drama.”
In this magical holiday cocktail, we’ve got danger, dinosaurs (yes, dinosaurs, because why not?), and of course, Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor, running around in fabulous style, probably yelling something like, “Allons-y!” or “What’s with the dinosaurs?!”
The Cast is Stacked
Joining Nicola and Ncuti is a Christmas buffet of talent:
– Steph de Whalley as Anita, probably the one who gets stuck holding the alien map upside down.
– Jonathan Aris as Melnak, who sounds like he’s either a villain or a moody poet (could be both).
– Joel Fry as Trev, definitely the guy who trips first when running from danger.
– Peter Benedict as Basil, because every sci-fi show needs a Basil.
– Julia Watson as Hilda and Niamh Marie Smith as Sylvia, rounding out the cast with mystery, sass, and hopefully some laser guns.
The Trailer Tease
The trailer promises thrills, chills, and at least one prehistoric creature ruining someone’s holiday. Rumor has it the Doctor will face his most harrowing challenge yet: untangling Christmas lights while battling a sinister intergalactic plot.
Mark Your Calendars!
This sci-fi extravaganza lands on Disney+ at 9:10 AM PT/12:10 PM ET on Christmas Day—a perfect excuse to avoid that awkward post-presents lull. So, grab your mince pies, set your alarms, and prepare for a festive rollercoaster.
Because nothing says “Merry Christmas” like space-time shenanigans, dinosaurs, and Nicola Coughlan bringing her Regency-era charm to a galaxy far, far away.
