“Doctor Who” is putting together quite the farewell party for Matt Smith on the upcoming Christmas special, “The Time of the Doctor,” airing Wednesday, Dec. 25 (Christmas day) at 9/8c.
In a new extended trailer released by BBC America on Wednesday, we learn that a cavalcade of the Universe’s villains, including the infamous Daleks, will take part in the Eleventh Doctor’s last hurrah. It’s looking pretty epic – right down to the TARDIS in a space chase scene.
It also seems that indeed The Doctor will be led to Trenzalore, the fabled resting place of the Eleventh Doctor.
See video: ‘Doctor Who’ Christmas Special Trailer: Matt Smith’s Goodbye
“It’s his final battle and he’s been fighting it for a while,” showrunner Steven Moffat said of the special. “The Doctor is facing the joint challenge of a mysterious event in space that has summoned lots of aliens to one place and helping Clara cook Christmas dinner. There are also elements from every series of Matt’s Doctor, which will come to a head in this special. Things that we’ve laid down for years are going to be paid off.”
Smith’s character is expected to regenerate into the Doctor-in-waiting, the veteran Scottish actor, Peter Capaldi, who appeared in “World War Z” and BBC series, “The Hour.”
Jenna Coleman, who plays current companion Clara, said we’ll be learning more about her character, dubbed “the impossible girl” for her mysterious appearances at different periods of time over the last two years.
Also read: ‘Doctor Who’ 50th Anniversary Special Sets Records for BBC America
“I think there had to be a sense of mystery last year to make the plot work,” Coleman said. “What’s really interesting is that it does feel like we’re starting again and we get to see her home life as well as her life with The Doctor.”
BBC America also set an encore presentation of the 50th Anniversary special for Christmas day at 6/5c and a “Farewell to Matt Smith” special at 8/7c.
Watch the new extended trailer for the Christmas special above.