Doctor Who unveils first look at Christmas special and confirms Varada Sethu's companion name – and her potential link to an existing character
Jul. 26, 2024Cheese toasties! Silurians! Nicola Coughlan!
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During the hit sci-fi show’s panel, which took place in the annual event’s legendary Hall H, attendees were treated to a first look at the upcoming Christmas special, Joy to the World. In it, a light-hearted montage sees Ncuti Gatwa’s The Doctor popping up in the likes of Manchester in the ’40s, Everest Base Camp in the ’50s, and the Orient Express in the ’60s, asking people whether they ordered a “ham and cheese toastie and a pumpkin latte?”.
Eventually, Nicola Coughlan’s titular character is seen arriving at the Sandringham Hotel in present-day London, and immediately asked, “Single?” by the po-faced receptionist.
“Does it show?!” she jokes, before she’s ushered into a “rather pink” room. Shortly after the concierge scurries off to get her some towels, The Doctor (and a Silurian) bursts through a door, and presents her with the same food and beverage as before. A case of mistaken identity, perhaps? Or serendipity? Judging by the Time Lord’s big grin when he sees her, it’s more likely the latter…
Elsewhere, showrunner Russell T Davies confirmed thatAndorstarVarada Sethu’s new companion is named Belinda Chandra, which has some fans speculating as to whether she’ll be related to existing character Rani Chandra, from The Sarah Jane Adventures.
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I’m a Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering all things film and TV for the site’s Total Film and SFX sections. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English.
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