Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: "Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"

Christmas Day just isn't the same without Doctor Who. Ever since 2005's brilliant episode 'The Christmas Invasion', we have seen everything from the TARDIS crashing into the Titanic (complete with Kylie Minogue in a guest role, of course) to a timey-wimey story inspired by Charles Dickens' classic tale A Christmas Carol (starring Michael Gambon, naturally).

Sitting down for a fun Doctor Who adventure on Christmas Day is now just tradition (we'll never forgive the Chris Chibnall era for moving it to New Year's Day for a few years) and thankfully this year's instalment, suitably titled 'Joy to the World', is everything that you could possibly want from a festive special. Describing it as an absolute joy to watch is indeed the obvious pun, but it genuinely is a festive delight.

For this escapade we pay a visit to the Time Hotel, where guests can stay in rooms from various points in history. It's a simple yet brilliant concept, and one that easily allows for a fast-paced caper through time. The Doctor makes good on the premise, opening up hotel room doors to a wide range of landscapes, from the elegant Orient Express to a vast plain dominated by dinosaurs, all of which are magically brought to life on the screen.

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Eventually he stumbles into a woman named Joy, played by Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan who becomes the beating heart of this episode. Bumping into the Doctor after simply renting a room at a London hotel for a night, Joy is soon pulled into his mission to save Earth from a deadly plan that is unfolding – the Doctor does have a habit of picking up strays.

Admittedly, whilst the idea of the Time Hotel is undoubtedly genius, the threat of this episode is barely sketched out. Writer Steven Moffat is more than capable of bringing us unforgettable enemies being the man who created the Weeping Angels, but here the villains quite frankly feel like an afterthought and feel threadbare. We know that the world is in imminent danger as the Doctor keeps telling us it is, but there is no real sense of jeopardy. It's almost like the Time Hotel concept was thought of first, then the team desperately had to fit in somewhere an antagonist for the Doctor to face.

Ham and cheese toastie and a pumpkin latte?

However, what 'Joy to the World' lacks in peril it makes up for in charisma. Star Ncuti Gatwa had already proven himself more than worthy of stepping into the Time Lord's shoes in the show's first season earlier this year, but this special serves as a reminder of his incredible talent. Stepping onto screen beaming as he offers hotel guests a toastie and a pumpkin latte, his charm is infectious – it's no wonder so many characters drop everything to help him out.

But where Gatwa really shines is in the episode's more emotional moments, whether it's his words faltering as he remembers former companion Ruby Sunday (who left the TARDIS during the last season finale) or his eyes welling up with tears as he reflects on something painful, a reminder that even the festive season isn't without agony. Gatwa's Doctor wears his heart (sorry, two hearts) on his sleeve with the star always delivering an earnest, open, and affecting performance which not only continually steals the show, but allows us to instantly bond with him.

It also means that we believe in his instant connections with other characters, from Joel Fry's humble hotel worker Trev to Stephanie de Whalley's no-nonsense manager Anita. In fact, the scenes the Doctor shares with Anita are easily some of the best in the episode, overflowing with chemistry. If it's possible to have more of Anita in the future, that would very much be welcomed.

Coughlan's Joy is also a standout, taking everything thrown at her easily in her stride, whether it's dinosaurs or two Doctors arguing with each other. If you are at all familiar with the actor's work in the likes of Derry Girls, you will already know that she is a capable performer, bringing all of that emotional vulnerability and comedic chops that she is known for to Joy.

As the credits start to roll after quite the audacious final note from Moffat, you will be left wishing that the adventure hadn't ended, wanting to spend more time in the company of the Doctor, Anita, Joy, and co. In fact, 'Joy to the World' is exactly what you need on Christmas: a funny, festive watch that makes you feel warm, but has enough emotional poignancy to possibly bring a tear to the eye. It's exactly what we asked Santa for.

The Doctor Who Christmas special 'Joy to the World' premieres on December 25 (Christmas Day) on Disney+ in the US. Meanwhile in the UK, it will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 5.10pm.

For more festive cheer, these are our picks of the best Christmas movies you should be watching this year.