'Doctor Who' set to ring in the New Year in style with Season 12's premiere, a ton of fan events and the return of classic villains
'Doctor Who' is ushering in the new decade on New Year's Day 2020 with a brand new season. The trailer for Season 12 is here and it has got so much to unpack, including the return of the Cybermen and a fun reference to 'Crisis on Infinite Earths'.
But if you thought the trailer is the most exciting thing the show has in store for Season 12, think again.
The trailer itself starts off with the Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) warning of a "Big, Serious, Crisis" on the way and that's not just a joke about The CW's 'Crisis On Infinite Earths' event.
It's actually a reference to an enemy who threatens to destroy the Doctor once and for all. Of course, we've all heard that one before and at this point, it would take a lot to convince us that there's anyone in the universe who can actually make good on that threat but we'd love to see them try.
The trailer shows shots of classic villains like the Cybermen and the Judoon. While the latter villains were already revealed to be a part of the coming season, the inclusion of the metal monstrosities from Mondas, however, is a pleasant surprise.
This is specially because showrunner Chris Chibnall has so far distanced his work from the past of 'Doctor Who' but with the coming of the new decade, nothing is set in stone any more.
"What better way to ring in a new decade than with our favorite Time Lord?" BBC America Executive Director Courtney Thomasma said in a press release.
"BBC America is excited to kick off the New Year with New Who, including a thrilling New Year's Day premiere followed by new episodes every Sunday this winter. Last year, thousands of Whovians packed Madison Square Garden to celebrate Jodie Whittaker’s landmark debut as the first female Doctor," Thomasma said.
"This year, we're thrilled to partner with Fathom Events to bring that unique experience to fans all across the country, as Doctor Who embodies the idea of space for all. Let the New Year’s countdown begin!" she added.
As a special treat for fans, BBC America has partnered with BBC Studios and Fathom Events to bring Doctor Who back to the big screen on Sunday, January 5.
This one-day-only special event, featuring the premiere episode and exclusive early unveiling of the second episode of the new season, will be simulcast to over 600 cinema screens nationwide.
After the screening, audiences will be treated to a live Q&A session with the show's stars Tosin Cole, Mandip Gill, and the Doctor herself, Jodie Whittaker.
The Q&A will be transmitted live from The Paley Center for Media in New York. Tickets and a list of participating locations will be made available on the Fathom Events website starting from Friday, December 6.
That's not all, Whovians! In the week leading into premiere night, 'Doctor Who' will be taking over BBC America with reruns of full seasons and specials featuring all the modern Doctors – Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, and Jodie Whittaker – from Tuesday, December 24 through Wednesday, January 1.
The network will also debut animated "lost episodes", titled 'The Macra Terror', as a special post-holiday treat on Thursday, December 26 at 9 pm ET/PT.
The new season will be bringing in a number of guest stars including the legendary Stephen Fry ('The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy', 'A Bit of Fry and Laurie'), Sir Lenny Henry CBE ('Broadchurch', 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'), Goran Višnjić ('ER', 'Timeless') and Robert Glenister ('Paranoid', 'Law and Order: UK').
So grab your sonic screwdrivers and prepare to board the TARDIS for the adventure of a lifetime. 'Doctor Who' Season 12 begins January 1, 2020, on BBC America at 8 PM ET/PT with subsequent episodes airing on Sundays at 8 pm ET/PT starting January 5.
