The image from the Doctor Who Christmas Special 2024 shows several Easter eggs from Matt Smith’s first episode

A new look at Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor WhoThe 2024 Christmas special reveals that the episode will contain a number of references to Matt Smith’s first episode as the Eleventh Doctor. The episode, titled “Joy to the World,” focuses on a powerful but dangerous piece of technology that finds its way into a futuristic time-travel hotel during the holiday season. While Millie Gibson will be absent from the episode, Doctor WhoThe 2024 seasonal adventure will star Bridgerton And Derry girlis Nicola Coughlan as former companion Joy.

Less than a month away Doctor Who returns to screens on Christmas Day, the cover for the upcoming edition of Doctor Who Magazine revealed by the official Doctor Who The Instagram account has shared a new look at the Fifteenth Doctor. While his outfit remains unchanged from previous previews, Gatwa’s Time Lord holds a newspaper with several nods to writer Steven Moffat’s tenure as showrunner. In addition to the return of his “Timey Wimey” phrase from “Blink” in the paper’s title, the paper also features two references to Smith’s 2010 debut “The Eleventh Hour.”

In addition to an update on the episode’s villain Prisoner Zero’s incarceration status, the paper also highlights a reference to a duck pond riddle, a reference to a conversation between the Doctor and Amy when he asks her why a duck pond is called that even though it is there are no ducks there.

What Prisoner Zero’s surprise appearance means for Doctor Who’s 2024 season special

The episode already has several allusions and connections to previous adventures

Although it might come as a welcome surprise to many to whom it was introduced Doctor Who During Smith’s era on the series, it is unlikely that Prisoner Zero will ever appear in the episode. Instead, it is simply an element of Moffat using references to create a more sophisticated and interconnected canon, for which his era is notable.

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While Prisoner Zero may not appear in the episode, there is a main antagonist created by Moffat who will play a key role in “Joy to the World.” As seen in the Children in need Preview clip 2024, weapons manufacturer Villengard are the figures behind the mysterious Star Seed energy source, which poses a threat to the universe. Villengard had their last big appearance of the year Doctor Who Season 14’s “Boom” as they are the manufacturers behind the deadly devices used in the episode. As such, there is no shortage of Moffat’s contributions to the series story within the episode.

Our thoughts on the eleventh Doctor Nod of Doctor Who’s Special 2024

Could more Easter eggs be on the way?

Smith’s Doctor Who The debut in The Eleventh Hour remains one of the strongest Time Lord debuts in the series’ history, offering a new entry point that showcases the main character’s values, the stylistic approach Moffat took to the series, and Smith’s interpretation of the series perfectly highlighted character. As such, it is one of Smith’s strongest adventures as the Eleventh Doctor.

While it may just be an Easter egg during the author’s time as showrunner, the Joy to the World references are sure to put a smile on fans’ faces. Plus, with Prisoner Zero making a surprise nod in the episode, many may be wondering who the other one is Doctor Who References that the audience could be gifted with in the 2024 seasonal adventure.

Source: Doctor Who/Instagram

The latest season of Doctor Who introduces the Fifteenth Doctor, along with new companion Ruby Sunday. Their first adventure begins with “The Church on Ruby Road,” where they face powerful new enemies and uncover the mystery of Ruby’s origins. Dealing with the aftermath of a unique regeneration event, the Doctor battles enemies more dangerous than ever before.

Pour

Ncuti Gatwa, Millie Gibson, Susan Twist, Michelle Greenidge, Angela Wynter, Jemma Redgrave, Yasmin Finney, Anita Dobson

Character(s)

Commander Millington, Polly, Gordon Lowery, Dervish, Wheeler, radar technician, uncredited, Dr. Grace Holloway, K9 (voice), Lieutenant Carstairs, Peladon, Chancellor Flavia, Curtis, Mike, Self, Ted Moss, Sarah Jane Smith, Miranda, Mykros, The Master, Arek, Megara Voice, Dodo Chaplet, Peter Warmsly, Jackson

Release date

December 25, 2023

Seasons

2

Streaming service(s)

Apple, Britbox, M, Dis

Franchise(s)

Doctor Who

writer

Russell T Davies, Dave Gibbons, Kate Herron, Steven Moffat

Directors

Douglas Camfield, David Maloney, Christopher Barry, Michael E. Briant, Barry Letts, Michael Ferguson, Richard Martin, Peter Moffatt, Pennant Roberts, Lennie Mayne, Chris Clough, Ron Jones, Paddy Russell, Paul Bernard, Michael Hayes, Timothy Combe, Morris Barry, Gerald Blake, Graeme Harper, Waris Hussein, Rodney Bennett, Mervyn Pinfield, Hugh David, John Gorrie

Main genre

Science fiction

Creator

Donald Wilson, Sydney Newman

producers

John Nathan-Turner, Innes Lloyd, Peter Bryant, Philip Hinchcliffe, Verity Lambert, John Wiles

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