Doctor Who showrunner is already teasing the 2024 Christmas special: "What terrible secrets does it hide?"

Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who
(Image credit: BBC)

We’ve only just recovered from the goblins and Ruby Sunday of it all in The Church on Ruby Road, but Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies is already busy teasing the next Christmas special.

"Happy New Year’s Eve! And the point is - there, right behind us, that’s one of the sets from the Christmas 2024 episode of Doctor Who!" Davies wrote on Instagram behind the TARDIS set. "The future! Right there ♥️ But what terrible secrets does it hide..? (etc)"

Not to get in full fan theory mode on only the second day of 2024, but we’d wager the '(etc)' from Davies there is perhaps a playful tease on just how cryptic he usually is in the lead-up to episodes. Still, speculate away! 

Remember, there are technically two – and potentially many more, given the fallout from bi-generation – TARDIS hopping around the universe. There’s also the fact that the TARDIS’ jukebox will tease future episodes. So something could be hiding back there.

Ncuti Gatwa probably isn’t thinking about next Christmas just yet, however. The new Doctor, fresh off of wowing us in his first proper Doctor Who episode, has his first season on the way later this year – and the Boogeyman could be involved. An accidental reveal, swiftly removed, pointed to Spring 2024. Gatwa has also confirmed he’s returning for a second season.

For more adventures through time and space, check out our review of the Doctor Who 2023 Christmas special, then hop on over to our ranking of the best sci-fi movies ever made.

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.