LONDON -- Family members gather every year, their bellies full of roast turkey and mince pies, drowsy but prepared for the sci-fi stalwart of festive programming: the Doctor Who Christmas special.
It's a much revered event, and so the announcement of the special episode's guest stars comes as one of great excitement for Whovians.
The episode, which traditionally airs on BBC One on Christmas Day, will see guest appearances from comedians Greg Davies, as King Hydroflax, and Matt Lucas, who is taking on the role of Nardole. Davies and Lucas join the previously announced Alex Kingston who is making a return as Professor River Song.
The Xmas Special: Peter Capaldi & Alex Kingston are joined by Greg Davies as King Hydroflax & Matt Lucas as Nardole! pic.twitter.com/7sWpbn6W6d— Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) November 24, 2015
Is it Christmas yet? We can’t wait to see Alex Kingston back as River in the Xmas Special! https://t.co/Kq34I0DUFv pic.twitter.com/KJu1KKNPWr— Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) November 24, 2015
The synopsis for the episode has also been revealed and prepares viewers for a "frantic chase across the galaxy."
It’s Christmas Day on a remote human colony and the Doctor is hiding from Christmas Carols and Comedy Antlers. But when a crashed spaceship calls upon the Doctor for help, he finds himself recruited into River Song’s squad and hurled into a fast and frantic chase across the galaxy. King Hydroflax (Greg Davies) is furious, and his giant Robot bodyguard is out of control and coming for them all! Will Nardole (Matt Lucas) survive? And when will River Song work out who the Doctor is?
All will be revealed on a starliner full of galactic super-villains and a destination the Doctor has been avoiding for a very long time.
Let the countdown begin.