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

GamesRadar+ Verdict’Joy to the World' is exactly what we asked Santa for this Christmas – a fun, festive special that is overflowing with charm and comedy. If only the threat of the episode was more memorable…TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck AmazonPros+Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever+Nicola Coughlan shines+The concept of the Time Hotel is geniusCons-The villains are an afterthought GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict ‘Joy to the World’ is exactly what we asked Santa for this Christmas – a fun, festive special that is overflowing with charm and comedy. If only the threat of the episode was more memorable…TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon ‘Joy to the World’ is exactly what we asked Santa for this Christmas – a fun, festive special that is overflowing with charm and comedy. If only the threat of the episode was more memorable… TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Check Amazon Check Amazon Pros+Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever+Nicola Coughlan shines+The concept of the Time Hotel is genius Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever Nicola Coughlan shines The concept of the Time Hotel is genius Cons-The villains are an afterthought The villains are an afterthought Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. 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. FAST FACTSRelease date:December 25Available on:Disney Plus (US) / BBC (UK)Showrunner:Russell T DaviesRuntime:56 minutes FAST FACTS Release date:December 25Available on:Disney Plus (US) / BBC (UK)Showrunner:Russell T DaviesRuntime:56 minutes Release date:December 25 Available on:Disney Plus (US) / BBC (UK) Showrunner:Russell T Davies Runtime:56 minutes 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? (Image credit: BBC) 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. 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. 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) onDisney+ 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 thebest Christmas moviesyou should be watching this year. Doctor Who: Price Comparison No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price information No price information We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices CATEGORIESDisney PlusStreaming Services CATEGORIES More about doctor whoDoctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa reflects on the one year anniversary of his debut as the Doctor admitting “I didn’t quite realize the magnitude of what I was taking on"Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies teases season 2’s “scariest episode” and a “big surprise” from the mysterious Mrs Flood More about doctor who Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa reflects on the one year anniversary of his debut as the Doctor admitting “I didn’t quite realize the magnitude of what I was taking on"Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies teases season 2’s “scariest episode” and a “big surprise” from the mysterious Mrs Flood Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa reflects on the one year anniversary of his debut as the Doctor admitting “I didn’t quite realize the magnitude of what I was taking on” Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa reflects on the one year anniversary of his debut as the Doctor admitting “I didn’t quite realize the magnitude of what I was taking on” Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies teases season 2’s “scariest episode” and a “big surprise” from the mysterious Mrs Flood Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies teases season 2’s “scariest episode” and a “big surprise” from the mysterious Mrs Flood Latest See more latest► Most PopularAnbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up"Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever 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review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the 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