The three brand new instalments signal the return of Russell T Davies<\/a> as Doctor Who showrunner, and will lead rather nicely into the upcoming season, which will be helmed by Ncuti Gatwa<\/a>.<\/p>\n Well, while we have the imminent 2023 Christmas special to also look forward to, it looks as though fans have even more to get excited about \u2013 as a major 2024 cast addition has just been announced.<\/p> Speaking to RadioTimes.com<\/a> and other press at a Q&A after the premiere of 60th anniversary episode, The Star Beast, Davies was pressed for information about any names attached to the next series that he could tease.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, they\u2019ll tell me off. Can we say anyone?\u201d the showrunner posed, before saying, \u201cNicola Coughlan at Christmas. Not this Christmas, next Christmas. We\u2019re shooting Christmas 2024 now.\u201d<\/p>\n So, there we have it \u2013 the first cast member for Doctor Who\u2019s 2024 Christmas special has been announced, with further details naturally being kept under wraps for now.<\/p>\n While we know that production will continue on that special now, we\u2019ll just have to wait and see who else has been lined up for a role in the festive episode.<\/p>\n Of course, Coughlan is best known for her roles in Channel 4\u2019s Derry Girls<\/a> and Netflix\u2019s Bridgerton<\/a>, and most recently starred in box office hit Barbie<\/a> alongside the new Doctor, Gatwa.<\/p>\n Coughlan is set to next appear in brand new Channel 4 comedy Big Mood<\/a> with It\u2019s a Sin\u2019s Lydia West, so the Davies connections continue.<\/p>\n As for what we can expect in the anniversary episodes, which are set to air later this month, they will mark the return of Catherine Tate and David Tennant, this time as the Fourteenth Doctor and not his former Tenth.<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The three upcoming specials, which are The Star Beast, Wild Blue Yonder and The Giggle, will also feature Yasmin Finney as Donna\u2019s daughter, Rose Noble, and it has been confirmed that Miriam Margolyes<\/a>\u00a0will be the voice behind\u00a0Beep the Meep<\/a>.<\/p>\n Neil Patrick Harris will star as the villainous Celestial Toymaker, too, a character that first appeared in 1966.<\/p>\n The 2023 Christmas special is set to air on 25th December<\/a>, and will be titled Doctor Who Holiday Special: The Church on Ruby Road, according to Disney Plus.<\/p>\n The episode will mark the introduction to Gatwa\u2019s Doctor and Millie Gibson as his companion, Ruby Sunday.<\/p>\n Additional reporting by Louise Griffin.<\/em><\/p> ![\"Nicola](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/BRIDGERTON204Unit03811R-42daeec.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413\" "\\"BRIDGERTON_204_Unit_03811R\\"\/")
\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>\n