Bah, humbug! Doctor Who gets a Scrooge makeover for highly anticipated Christmas special co-starring Richard E Grant
By EMMA GRITT
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When his companion Amy Pond and her friend Rory Williams were stolen from him by the weeping angels, Doctor Who entered in to a deep depression.
Distraught at losing his closest pals, he wanted to retire from the Timelord game and lock himself away with only memories for torturous company.
And it was here, at his lowest ebb, that fans young and old were reunited with the eccentric character when the trailer for the Christmas Special was aired during last night's Children In Need.
See the trailer for the Christmas Special below
New team: Jenna-Louise Coleman playing Clara and Matt Smith as Doctor Who in 'The Snowmen'
The stars of the show, Matt Smith and Jenna Louise Coleman, who plays the Doctor's new companion, Clara, were there to introduce the clip via video link.
The actors looked relaxed in each other's company, clearly revealing that they are enjoying working together on new episodes of the hit BBC show.
Children In Need presenters Sir Terry Wogan and Fearne Cotton seemed very excited to watch the clip of the special episode, which has the very festive title of 'The Snowmen'.
Here it comes! Sir Terry Wogan and heavily pregnant Fearne Cotton get the low down on the Christmas special
Good chemistry: Jenna and Matt looked at ease with each other as they introduced the clip on Children In Need
The episode, which will air on Christmas Day, stars Richard E. Grant as Dr. Simeon, an evil mastermind who commands an army of vicious snowmen.
It is also when fans will be formally introduced to the Doctor's new companion, Clara, played by ex-Emmerdale actress Jenna-Louise Coleman.
She is stepping up to the plate after the departure of Amy Pond and Rory Williams, who were played by Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill.
The pretty actress has been seen by fans before, as Oswin in an episode called Asylum of the Daleks, where she had been killed and turned into a one of the evil mechanical monsters without realising it.
Snow fall: Doctor Who exits his Tardis in a very snowy dimension
Who's that? The Doctor is faced with his usual foes of aliens and demons in the new episode
New enemy: Respected thespian Richard. E. Grant stars as Doctor Who's latest nemesis, Doctor Simeon
The casting of Richard, 55, was well-received by critics and fans alike, who are looking forward to seeing what magic he can bring to the special episode.
He has been previously cast as Doctor Who twice - he voices the character in the animated series, and also played him unofficially in a Children In Need sketch.
But, this is his first appearance in the show, and his menacing portrayal of the cold-hearted villain is bound to leave fans of the science fiction romp cowering behind their Christmas puddings.
Fans will also be delighted to be reintroduced to Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax, three popular sub-characters.
Executive producer Steven Moffat was keen to add some background to the story.
In a statement he said; 'The Doctor at Christmas is one of my favorite things -- but this year it's different. He's lost Amy and Rory to the Weeping Angels, and he's not in a good place: in fact, he's Scrooge.
Snow joke: The Doctor must battle an army of evil snowmen in the Christmas Special
We need your help: Reptilians also need the Doctor to return to fighting evil
'He's withdrawn from the world and no longer cares what happens to it. So when all of humanity hangs in the balance, can anyone persuade a tired and heartbroken Doctor that it's time to return to the good fight. Enter Jenna-Louise Coleman...'
Doctor Who himself, Matt Smith, is excited to be sharing the screen with Withnail and I star Richard.
He said: 'For this year’s Christmas special we have the wonderfully villainous Richard E. Grant as Doctor Simeon.
'As well as lizards, Victorian assassins and deranged warriors from the future, who all return to convince the Doctor that he should board the Tardis again and save the world.'
VIDEO: Watch the trailer for the Doctor Who Christmas Special
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2234356/Bah-humbug-Doctor-Who-gets-Scrooge-makeover-highly-anticipated-Christmas-special.html#ixzz2CW1uCUX2
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