What You Need to Know About Nicola Coughlan's Role in 'Doctor Who'

The Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlan is set to make her debut in the Doctor Who universe next month, and we have a closer look at the episode she will star in!

The episode featuring Coughlan is a Christmas special titled Joy to the World, in which she plays a character named Joy. Joy is a determined woman whose life changes forever after meeting the Doctor. Coughlan joins Ncuti Gatwa, who will be entering his second season as the Fifteenth Doctor.

In July, the first look at the episode was released, accompanied by Coughlan announcing her role. She shared her admiration for Ncuti and the crew, feeling excited to introduce her character Joy to the world. The preview showed the Doctor leaping between locations, offering people a ham-and-cheese toastie and a pumpkin latte, before finally encountering Joy.

Earlier this month, during the Children in Need broadcast, Gatwa brought Christmas early by revealing another preview of the special. In the clip, the Doctor and Joy examine a briefcase designed by Villengard. After persistent questioning of the briefcase’s AI, the duo is attacked by a dinosaur, which, by the end of the trailer, attempts to swallow them. The clip ends on a suspenseful note.

Recently released photos from the episode provide further glimpses of the Doctor and Joy on their mysterious quest. One of the images even features the Silurian seen in the first preview.

Joy to the World premieres on December 25th, so get ready for one more gift under the tree this Christmas!