'Doctor Who' New Year's Day Special: Release date, plot, trailer and all you need to know about the episode
Has it been a decade since we last saw a new 'Doctor Who' episode or was it just 2020? Nevertheless, as the year ends, the good folks of BBC America have a very special episode lined up as we enter the long-awaited 2021. Unfortunately, the New Year's Day Special, which also features the return of a classic 'Doctor Who' villain will see the departure of two companions. Bradley Walsh and Tosin Cole, who play Graham O'Brien and Ryan Sinclair respectively, have decided to bid adieu to the show after two seasons, leaving just Mandip Gill's Yasmin Khan with the 13th incarnation of the Doctor played by Jodie Whittaker for the 13th season.
As such, the special, 'Revolution of the Daleks' will be Walsh's and Cole's last outing as the Doctor's companions and so, the episode is expected to feature some exciting and heartbreaking moments. Read on to know more details about the 2021 New Year's Day special.
Release date
'Doctor Who's' New Year's Day special episode, titled 'Revolution of the Daleks' will air on BBC America, on January 1, 2021, at 8/7c.
Plot
Not many details of the 'Doctor Who' special have been revealed, however, we have some key details that follow. According to showrunner, Chris Chibnall, who spoke to Radio Times, the special will open with the Doctor in prison after she was taken by the Judoon at the end of Season 12. Chibnall said, "Some time has passed. She has been in prison for a very long time, and she’s struggling there."
He continued, "And then back on Earth, Yaz and Graham and Ryan, who were dumped back on Earth at the end of the last series, are struggling to figure out their lives without the Doctor. It’s been 10 months for them since they’ve seen the Doctor. And at the beginning of this, they discover the presence of a Dalek."
Additionally, Jodie Whittaker added that a particularly exciting part of the episode concerns the slightly different format – with the Doctor forced to take a rather more backseat approach than we’re used to. She said, "I think what’s interesting about the start of this is that the discoveries and the journeys that we all go on aren’t necessarily Doctor-led, in a way,” she said. “That’s what makes it really exciting as well – it’s definitely a team effort throughout."
Cast
The Doctor
Jodie Whittaker
The 13th incarnation of the Doctor is played by English actress, Jodie Whittaker, who is known for her roles in 'Black Mirror' and 'Broadchurch'. Whittaker is the first woman to play the character in the series.
The Companions
Bradley Walsh
Bradley Walsh is an English actor known for his roles in 'Coronation Street' and 'Law & Order: UK'. He plays the role of Graham O'Brien. Walsh will exit the role in the New Year's Day special.
Mandip Gill
Mandip Gill is an English actress known for her roles in 'Hollyoaks' and 'Cuckoo'. She plays the role of Yasmin Khan.
Tosin Cole
Tosin Cole is an American-born British actor known for his roles in 'Hollyoaks' and 'The Cut'. He plays the role of Ryan Sinclair. Cole will exit the role in the New Year's Day special.
In addition to the regular cast, the show also features Dame Harriet Walter ('Killing Eve'), Nathan Stewart-Jarrett ('Misfits'), and as mentioned before, John Barrowman ('Arrow', 'Torchwood'). Barrowman's Jack Harkness will return to the show for a special appearance in the episode. This will be the second time Barrowman will be seen with the 13th Doctor.
Showrunner
Chris Chibnall
Chris Chibnall is best known for his work on BBC’s ‘Broadchurch’, a show that also featured Whittaker and Tenth Doctor David Tennant as well as former companion Arthur Darvill. He has made it clear that his time on the show will be a new era for ‘Doctor Who’. Gone are the grand unifying story arcs and in their place we now have self-contained episodes that serve a semi-educational function. While not all the fans are thrilled by the change, Chibnall is ready to continue with his fresh take on the classic show.
Trailer
If you like this, you'll love
'Doctor Who: The Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe'
'Doctor Who: The End of Time'
'Doctor Who: Voyage of the Damned'
'Doctor Who: Spyfall'
'Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol'