December 25th 2024.
As we eagerly anticipate the next episode of Doctor Who, let's take a moment to reflect on the previous and look ahead to what's to come. Spoilers for the Christmas special, Joy To The World, follow.
After seven years away from the Whoniverse, former showrunner Steven Moffat made a surprise return for Ncuti Gatwa's 15th Doctor era. His season one episode, Boom, received high praise, leading to his involvement in the Christmas special, Joy To The World, starring Nicola Coughlan.
"It's been a while, but I quickly remembered how fast-paced and challenging it can be," Steven, 62, shared with Metro about his return to the BBC writers' room. "It took me a few tries to get Boom started, but once I got into the groove, it all came together."
As the writer behind more Doctor Who reboot episodes than anyone else, including returning showrunner Russell T Davies and Jodie Whittaker era boss Chris Chibnall, Steven is considered an expert on what makes the Doctor's character so compelling.
"It's always a unique experience writing for a new Doctor," he explained. "Their accents, mannerisms, and personalities all bring something fresh to the role. But at the core, the objective is to convince everyone that it's still the same Doctor we know and love, just with a different face. Otherwise, we risk losing our younger viewers," he joked.
Steven made sure to infuse his episodes with all the familiar characteristics of the Doctor, such as their compassion, determination, and thirst for adventure. This latest adventure, featuring the 15th Doctor teaming up with Nicola's Joy, is no exception.
"I was thrilled to have Nicola on board for this special. I adored her in Derry Girls, and her sweetness and kindness seemed to fit perfectly in the Doctor Who universe," Steven shared.
Creating a successful Christmas special is no easy feat, and Steven reflected on the process of writing for Ncuti and incorporating a Covid-related plotline.
"I wanted this Christmas special to be like a big festive meal, leaving the audience feeling satisfied and emotional. And of course, I wanted to set up the next season," he explained.
As the Doctor and Joy's relationship develops throughout the episode, we learn that Joy is dealing with deep trauma that has left her alone on Christmas day. Her mother passed away in 2020, and due to Covid restrictions, Joy had to say goodbye over an iPad.
"Some may have been surprised by this darker storyline in a family show, but for me, it was the most realistic explanation for Joy's anger," Steven shared. "Humans are predictable, and losing a loved one is a common source of sadness. But we wanted to explore a different, more relatable aspect of grief that many people experienced during the pandemic - the inability to say goodbye to an elderly relative."
One eyebrow-raising moment in the special is when Joy criticizes government officials for breaking lockdown rules. Steven clarified that this was not a political statement, but rather a commentary on those who broke the law and caused harm to others.
"I have no political agenda with this scene. It's simply a way to address the pain and sacrifice we all went through during the pandemic, while a select few ignored the rules and caused further harm," he explained.
Another recurring theme in Steven's Doctor Who episodes is Villengard, the villainous outer space weapons company. "It started as a joke in The Empty Child episode and continued to make appearances throughout my run on the show," Steven shared. "I like to think of it as an untold contest between the Doctor and these evil weapons makers, always lurking in the background."
As for a potential return to Doctor Who, Steven quickly rejected the idea. "I loved my time as showrunner, but I have other projects I want to focus on. As for the future of the show, that's a question for Russell," he joked.
And as for Varada Sethu, who appeared in Steven's Boom episode and will now be a full-time companion in the next season, he knew nothing of her return until Russell informed him a few months ago.
"I don't have any insider information on what's to come for Varada's character, but I'm excited to see where Russell takes her and the show next," Steven shared.
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