It's about that time of year again! Every year, the braintrust behind Doctor Who put together a special Christmas episode of the classic British science fiction series that's been on since your parents were in short pants most likely. Most memorably, the current Doctor, played by the great Peter Capaldi, met with Santa Clause, played by the iconic Richard Attenborough of Jurassic Park fame, for a loopy sort of adventure in a past Christmas special.

This year looks to be a bit different, however, at least from the look of the new trailer for the special, which you can take a look at below. In this year's special, entitled "The Return of Doctor Mysterio," Capaldi's Doctor will team up not only with Little Britain star Matt Lucas but also an American superhero named The Ghost, played by (the American) Shameless' Justin Chatwin. As per usual, it's borderline impossible to tell what the special will actually be about but there does seem to be some mad scientist who is hoarding containers of some kind of species, so expect that to develop into something world-ending or similarly apocalyptic. The stories for the specials tend to be endearingly nutty and improbably warm, but we all know the real reason anyone watches Doctor Who these days is to see Capaldi in that amazing jacket. Christmas can't get here soon enough.

Here's the new trailer for "The Return of Doctor Mysterio":

Here's the official synopsis for "The Return of Doctor Mysterio":

With brain-swapping aliens poised to attack, the Doctor, played by Peter Capaldi, and Nardole, played by Matt Lucas, link up with an investigative reporter and a mysterious figure known only as The Ghost. Can the Doctor save Manhattan and what will be revealed behind the mask?

 

The 60-minute Doctor Who Christmas Special is written by Steven Moffat, Executive Produced by Brian Minchin, Produced by Peter Bennett and Directed by Ed Bazalgette (Poldark). It was shot in Cardiff at BBC Wales Roath Lock Studios.