The Doctor (Matt Smith) and Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman) star in "Doctor Who: The Snowmen," airing at 8 p.m. Christmas night on BBC America, cable 176.
ADRIAN ROGERS/BBC
In the new "Doctor Who" Christmas special, Christmas Eve 1892 is like a fairytale that starts out all magical and winds up as a nightmare.
To prepare fans for the show, BBC America has released the trailer for the special titled "The Snowmen." It airs at 8 p.m. Christmas night on BBCA, cable 176.
When a chilling menace threatens Earth, an unorthodox young governess, Clara, calls on the Doctor for help, according to BBCA. But the Doctor, who is in mourning after losing Amy and Rory to the Weeping Angels, is reclusive and is Scrooge who doesn't care what happens to the world.
"As old friends return, will the Doctor really abandon humankind or will he fight to save the world – and Christmas – from the icy clutches of this mysterious menace?" the website asks. Richard E. Grant guest stars as the villainous Doctor Simeon.
Until it airs, here's a few comments from lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat on the Christmas special: "The Christmas episode is 'Doctor Who' epitomized and this year we're going for even more epic.
"The Doctor, when we meet him, isn't in a good place. A bit like when we first encountered William Hartnell as the Doctor in 1963 - or indeed Christopher Eccleston in 2005 - this a cold and withdrawn Time Lord, wanting no part of the world around him. It's going to take a lot of Christmas spirit to get him back out those TARDIS doors."
Matt Smith's Doctor returns with a new costume, a new hat and minus Amy Pond. Here the actor talks about what fans can expect from the festive treat (supplied by the website).
"Lots of snow and a rather good villain" was his answer.
Set in a Victorian snow covered England the episode opens with the Doctor feeling more 'bah humbug' than festive, as he struggles to get over the loss of his companions the Ponds.
He is slightly removed and not at his best, explains Smith. But, after the Doctor meets the determined young governess, Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman) do we see a change in the Doctor?
"You get to see a different side to him," Smith explains. "She is very different to Amy Pond… That is the great thing about this show - reinvention, it keeps me as an actor on my toes!"
The new attire also means a new look for the his character, Smith told the website.
"It is a bit like the Doctor meets the Artful Dodger."
And, yes, there will be grieving over the loss of the Ponds but only to a certain extent, he said.
"Grieving has its place but it is important to show that and then propel back in to adventure," he said.
The actor also revealed the Doctor will "embark on a dangerous adventure – a quest that leads him to Darkover House where something sinister is lurking."
Here's the trailer:
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