BBC America has released a new trailer for the “Doctor Who” Christmas special, “The Time of the Doctor,” that fills in a few gaps in the story we saw in previous clips.
We now know that Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) pleads with the Doctor himself (Matt Smith) to “change the future” in order to save himself from the foes gathered to fight him on the planet Trenzalore, where he will soon be buried.
“You will die in silence, Doctor,” says one of the Daleks facing him. We also see The Silence, Cybermen and what looks to be a new foe, Tasha Lem (Orla Brady).
The special, debuting at 8 p.m. Dec. 25 on BBC America, marks the end of Smith’s Eleventh Doctor. He’ll soon regenerate into the Twelfth, to be played by Peter Capaldi.
BBC America truly is making Christmas the night of the Doctor, with airings beginning at 5 p.m. of the TV premiere of the six-minute prequel, “The Night of the Doctor;” the 50th annivesary special, “The Day of the Doctor;” a “Farewell to Matt Smith” special, and the Christmas special, “The Time of the Doctor.”
Here’s the schedule and BBC America’s descriptions:
The Night of the Doctor/The Day of the Doctor
5 p.m. CST on BBC America
Enjoy the television premiere of the six-minute prequel, “The Night of the Doctor” that leads into the 50th anniversary special. The Doctors (Matt Smith and David Tennant) embark on their greatest adventure across space and time. In 2013, something terrible is awakening in London’s National Gallery; in 1562, a murderous plot is afoot in Elizabethan England; and somewhere in space an ancient battle reaches its devastating conclusion. All of reality is at stake as the Doctor’s own dangerous past comes back to haunt him. The special is directed by Nick Hurran, executive produced by Steven Moffat, Faith Penhale and produced by Marcus Wilson.
Farewell to Matt Smith
7 p.m. CST on BBC America
Bid the eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith, a fond farewell in this hour-long retrospective documentary special about Doctor Who series five, six and seven—the Matt Smith Years. This compelling documentary, narrated by Alex Kingston (River Song in “Doctor Who”), features highlights from Smith’s run with interviews from the man himself, his cast-mates, writers, producers, guest stars and famous Doctor Who fans.
The Time of the Doctor
8 p.m. CST on BBC America
Orbiting a quiet backwater planet, the massed forces of the universe’s deadliest species gather, drawn to a mysterious message that echoes out to the stars; and among them—the Doctor. Rescuing Clara from a family Christmas dinner, the Time Lord and his best friend must learn what this enigmatic signal means for his own fate and that of the universe. Orla Brady guest stars as Tasha Lem.
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