Your Doctor Who fan’s guide to what to watch as 2019 turns to 2020
Blogtor Who is back with the second part of our guide to the best Doctor Who related Christmas TV and radio. Covering the week from the 28th of December to the 3rd of January, the crown jewel of the schedule is a new episode of Doctor Who starring Jodie Whittaker. But there’s plenty more on offer this second week of the Christmas holidays.
Saturday 28th
W
8.20am – Doctor Who: The Snowmen
W continues its season of repeats of Doctor Who Christmas specials. This time, the Doctor (Matt Smith) is lying low in Victorian London following the loss of Amy and Rory. But it’s not long before he’s called back into action by an army of killer snowmen and the mysterious governess Clara.
Monday 30th
W
9.40am – Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor
In a town called Christmas, on a planet calling Trenzalore, the Eleventh Doctor faces his end. Because once and for all, Silence will fall.
BBC Radio 4 Extra
6pm – Doctor Who: Serpent Crest
Aladdin Time Part Two. Continuing the Serpent Crest saga, starring Tom Baker as the Doctor. Trapped in a reality bending Skishtari egg, the Doctor has to deal with many menaces. Not least of which is his own scarf, now sentient and distinctly homicidal.
New Year’s Eve
BBC One
11.20am – The Railway Children
Doctor Who fans know Bernard Cribbins’ ability to bring tears to their eyes with the fainest widening of his. But now you can check out one of his most well known roles, as the kindly, if brusque, railway man who takes a group of children under his wing when their father is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit.
BBC Radio 4 Extra
6pm – Doctor Who: Serpent Crest
The Hexford Invasion Part One. The Doctor (Tom Baker) has finally made it home to Nest Cottage. But annoyingly, he’s already in. Can the Doctor stop squabbling with the Doctor (David Troughton) long enough to fend off the giant spaceship blocking out the sky over Hexford? Probably not.
New Year’s Day
BBC One
6.55pm – Doctor Who
Spyfall Part One. She’s back! The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) returns for the start of a brand new season. And this time, she and her fam of Graham (Bradley Walsh), Yaz (Mandip Gill) and Ryan (Tosin Cole) slip into tuxedos to save the world in style. Setting her sonic screwdriver to shake, not stir, the Doctor must investigate a sinister mogul and a conspiracy that puts the entire world at risk.
9pm – Dracula
The Rules of the Beast. An order of nuns uncover the horrific story of their guest, Jonathan Harker. Sent from England on business, he arrived into a nightmare of evil and death. A nightmare called… Dracula.
BBC Radio 4 Extra
6pm – Doctor Who: Serpent Crest
The Hexford Invasion Part Two. Both the Doctors (Tom Baker and David Troughton) are determined that their plan is the one to save Hexford. But only one of them can win the day, and Hexford may well be left worse off than when they started.
Thursday 2nd
BBC One
9pm – Dracula
Blood Vessel. Death stalks the decks of the good ship Demeter. As crew and passengers are picked off one by one, the survivors gather together in a locked room. But one man among them believes he can explain the strange events. A man called Dracula.
BBC Radio 4 Extra
6pm – Doctor Who: Serpent Crest
Survivors in Space Part One. The rural town of Hexford has spent months cut adrift, floating in space, encased in an impregnable domed force field. Mike Yates, formerly of UNIT, has so far been able to maintain order but food and supplies are fast running out. And where is the Doctor (Tom Baker)? Or, for that matter, the Doctor (David Troughton)?
Friday 3rd
BBC One
9pm – Dracula
The Dark Compass. Dracula prepares to spread his evil across London. And his first target is the young beauty Lucy Westernra.
BBC 2
10.35pm – In Search of Dracula
Mark Gatiss, co-writer of the new adaptation of Dracula, explores the character’s origins and enduring appeal. He sees Bram Stoker’s original handwritten notes, and talks to actors from several of the different adaptations, including the new Dracula Claes Bang.
BBC Radio 4 Extra
6pm – Doctor Who: Serpent Crest
Survivors in Space Part Two. The Serpent Crest saga comes to a close. Secrets will be exposed and cosmic powers awoken. But will Hexford survive it?
