Doctor Who Christmas Special 2020: Plot, pictures, cast as the Daleks return!

Jodie Whittaker chalking off time in the "Doctor Who" Christmas special.
Jodie Whittaker chalking off time in the "Doctor Who" Christmas special. (Image credit: BBC)

The Doctor Who Christmas Special 2020 will see Jodie Whittaker return as the 13th Time Lord — and there’s going to be Daleks!

Fans will also be delighted to hear that filming on a new series has kicked off, with the new episodes due to be screened next year. Here’s everything we know so far about the Christmas episode, which is titled "Revolution of the Daleks."

The Doctor Who Christmas Special 2020 - when is it on?

The Doctor Who Christmas Special 2020 is expected to be shown on BBC1 and BBC America on Christmas Day. However, that is still to be confirmed. And there is a possibility it could instead go out on New Year’s Day. The BBC will confirm its Christmas TV schedule in December.

What happens in Revolution of the Daleks?

The gang gather around the table to discuss the Dalek threat in the Doctor Who 2020 Christmas special.

The gang gather around the table to decide how to defeat the Daleks without the Doctor. (Image credit: BBC)

The Christmas episode will pick up the story from where the last series finished. The Doctor had been locked away in an eternal prison, which appears impossible to escape from. A first look picture from the episode shows the Doctor chalking off time. Perhaps the Doctor will need to regenerate in order to escape from the prison?

Meanwhile, her companions Yaz (played by Mandip Gill), Ryan (Tosin Cole) and Graham (Bradley Walsh) do their best to carry on their lives without her. But then they discover that the Doctor’s biggest and most feared enemies the Daleks are about to strike. How can they fight the Daleks without the Doctor? Are the Daleks about to triumph?

Teasing the storyline, Bradley Walsh has said: “How do we, as a three, save mankind? Talk about being thrown in at the deep end.”

Are there any guest stars in the Doctor Who Christmas Special 2020?

None have been officially announced yet, but watch this space! 

Is there a trailer?

Not yet. We will update this story when one drops.

David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.

Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 

David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.

Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!