Let the anticipation commence! We’re still over two weeks away from the much anticipated return of Doctor Who – Peter Capaldi’s second season as the iconic time traveller – and already we’re getting news on the end of this run of the series. BBC revealed today that Alex Kingston would be returning for this year’s Christmas Special, bringing the loved Professor River Song back to the small screen for the first time since Capaldi took over the role.
The news broke as filming commences this week on the episode, the 11th Christmas Special, which screens in the UK on Christmas Day (and on Boxing Day here in Australia). It will mark the 16th episode that Kingston has appeared in. The episode is being written by Steven Moffat, produced by Nikki Wilson and directed by Douglas Mackinnon. Here’s a bit more about the episode:
It’s Christmas Day in the future and the TARDIS is parked on a snowy village street, covered in icicles, awaiting its next adventure. Time traveller River Song meets her husband’s new incarnation, in the form of Peter Capaldi, for the first time this Christmas.
Vague as always. But we’d expect no less. BBC delivered a few quotes to accompany this announcement. Alex Kingston said, “To be honest, I did not know whether River would ever return to the show, but here she is, back with the Doctor for the Christmas special. Steven Moffat is on glittering form, giving us an episode filled with humour and surprise guest castings. I met Peter for the first time at Monday’s read through, we had a laugh, and I am now excited and ready to start filming with him and the Doctor Who team. Christmas in September? Why not!”
Steven Moffat, Lead Writer and Executive Producer, added, “Another Christmas, another special for Doctor Who – and what could be more special than the return of Alex Kingston as Professor River Song? The last time the Doctor saw her she was a ghost. The first time he met her, she died. So how can he be seeing her again? As ever, with the most complicated relationship in the universe, it’s a matter of time…”
More guest stars for the episode will be announced in the lead up to the screening on Christmas Day. But between now and then, we have 12 episodes to enjoy, which will screen on ABC 1 in Australia at the same time as their go to air in the UK. See you on 20th September – and look out for the 11th Christmas Special on Boxing Day.
Source and Photo Credit: BBC
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