The Doctor Who Chrismas Special is an annual source of excitement for many, an eagerly anticipated holiday tradition that infuses a little nerdy good will into the Christmas season. Because of its event programming status, the Christmas Special tends to go a little above and beyond with the long-running series' time-hopping narrative, and this year that involves an appearance from a full-fledged superhero.

The Stephen Moffat-scripted 60-minute special, titled "The Return of Doctor Mysterio," will see Peter Capaldi's titular Time Lord teaming up with a superhero to save New York City from a deadly alien threat. Shameless and Orphan Black actor Justin Chatwin takes on the role of the caped crusader Doctor Mysterio, with Wolf Hall star Charity Wakefield joining the duo on their quest as an investigative journalist. Matt Lucas, who first debuted as River Song's assistant Nardole in last year's Christmas special "The Husbands of River Song" will also return for the episode.

Check out the first-look footage in the NYCC teaser below.

Speaking with BBC.com about the Christmas Special, Moffat said,

"I've always loved superheroes and this Christmas Doctor Who dives into that world. My favourite superhero is Clark Kent. Not Superman, Clark Kent."

"The Return of Doctor Mysterio" will premiere Christmas Day, December 25, 2016, and will play on BBC America in the states and BBC One in the U.K.

Check out the official episode synopsis below:

This Christmas on BBC One, the Doctor joins forces with a comic-book superhero in New York for a heroic special written by Steven Moffat, titled ‘The Return of Doctor Mysterio’. The family favorite will return on Christmas day as the Doctor, played by Peter Capaldi, joins forces with an investigative journalist, played by Charity Wakefield (Wolf Hall, The Player) and a superhero to save New York from a deadly alien threat.