Charlotte Ritchie, Nikesh Patel and Daniel Adegboyega will star in the ‘Doctor Who’ New Year’s Day episode.
Details of their roles in the upcoming special are being largely kept under wraps, but the former ‘Call the Midwife’ star will play a character called Lin, Nikesh – who is best known for his role in ‘Indian Summers’ – is to portray Mitch, and ‘Save Me’ actor Daniel will play Aaron.
This year will be the first since 2005 that there has been no Christmas Day episode of the sci-fi saga so BBC bosses previously teased the New Year special will be "spectacular".
The broadcaster said: "With 2018 marking a brand new era for ‘Doctor Who’, it is only right that 2019 kicks off in spectacular style…
"In this year’s festive episode the Tardis will travel through the time vortex from its traditional timeslot on Christmas Day and will land in style on New Year’s Day."
The hour-long episode will see the Doctor – who is portrayed by Jodie Whittaker – and her companions Ryan (Tosin Cole), Graham (Bradley Walsh) and Yaz (Mandip Gill) arrive home and discover a new alien threat to Earth.
Showrunner Chris Chibnall – who has written the episode – said: "We’re thrilled to be starting the New Year with a bang on BBC One, as Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor and friends face a terrifying alien threat in an action-packed, hour-long special adventure for all the family."
BBC’s director of content Charlotte Moore added: "We’re delighted the Doctor and her companions will be welcoming BBC One audiences into 2019 with this exciting new episode. The Doctor’s fans are in for a special treat on the first day of the new year."
Charlotte Ritchie lands Doctor Who role
