Why is Doctor Who not airing tonight?

Fans are wondering why the next bumper-sized episode of Doctor Who isn't on TV tonight, as the specials have been dominating Saturday nights recently. This question is on the minds of many devoted fans, especially with the excitement surrounding the 60th anniversary specials.

Franchise veterans David Tennant and Catherine Tate have made a return, taking us on a journey to the edge of existence and witnessing the first-ever bigeneration. Additionally, the recent 60th anniversary special, “The Giggle,” set the stage for the Doctor Who Christmas special. However, it is not debuting on BBC One and Disney+ tonight.

Why isn’t Doctor Who on tonight?

Tonight's episode of Doctor Who is not airing due to the Christmas special being excluded from the franchise's 60th anniversary celebrations. The special will instead premiere on December 25, marking the beginning of Ncuti Gatwa's tenure as the series headliner.

Disney+ accidentally revealed the release date for the Doctor Who Christmas special in November, with the festive episode showing up on the streaming platform's seasonal watchlist. This gave fans the first official confirmation that the special would air on Christmas Day. Additionally, the leaked information included the title of the special, "The Church on Ruby Road." The BBC later confirmed the details in a press release, also sharing a plot synopsis and previously unreleased stills.

What is the Doctor Who Christmas special about?

The Church on Ruby Road follows the Doctor as he encounters the legendary and enigmatic goblins, entwining his fate with that of Ruby Sunday, portrayed by Millie Gibson.

Ruby Sunday's mysterious background traces back to being abandoned on Christmas Eve as an infant. Currently residing with her mother, Carla, and grandmother, Cherry, her life takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with the Doctor and embarks on their inaugural adventure together. The episode also features the popular musical number "Goblin Song," released by the BBC, which has seen significant success, especially on the UK iTunes charts.

The Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road will be available on BBC iPlayer (UK & Ireland) and Disney+ (everywhere else) starting December 25. For the newest Doctor Who updates and news, visit Dexerto for complete coverage. Please be aware that by clicking on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan of Doctor Who, I am both excited and disappointed about the news that the next episode is not airing tonight. On the one hand, I am thrilled that the 60th-anniversary specials have been so successful and that the franchise is continuing to produce high-quality content. The return of David Tennant and Catherine Tate has been a particular highlight, and I can't wait to see what they do next.

On the other hand, I am disappointed that I have to wait until Christmas Day to see the Doctor Who Christmas special. I have been eagerly anticipating this episode ever since it was announced, and I was hoping to watch it tonight. However, I understand that the BBC has made this decision in order to make the special event even more special. I am sure that it will be worth the wait, and I am looking forward to seeing Ncuti Gatwa take on the role of the Doctor.