Doctor Who New Image Previews Nicola Coughlan’s Role

While viewers won’t be able to see Derry Girls and Bridgerton‘s Nicola Coughlan on Doctor Who until next year, the BBC has finally unveiled the first-look image of her character. 

Returning showrunner Russell T Davies, in an interview (via Variety), has previously revealed Coughlan’s involvement in the Christmas special episode of Doctor Who. “Nicola Coughlan at Christmas — not this Christmas, next Christmas. We’re shooting Christmas 2024 now.”

In a statement, the actress said that joining Ncuti Gatwa — who also played the funny and loud Eric Effiong in Netflix’s Sex Education — “has been an absolute joy.” 

“I’m excited to join the Whoniverse under the leadership of the inimitable Russell T Davies. I’ve been a fan of Ncuti Gatwa for some time and getting to share the screen with him as the Doctor has been an absolute joy,” said Coughlan. 

You can check out the first-look image down below: 

The future of the Doctor Who franchise

Apart from the newly announced special, David Tennant and Catherine Tate will return for the franchise’s 60th Anniversary specials. On the other hand, Gatwa’s introductory episode as the Fifteenth Doctor will premiere on Disney+ on December 25, 2023. The show’s 2024 Christmas special will see Gatwa reunite with his Barbie co-star Coughlan, who both played Artist Ken and Diplomat Barbie, respectively.

Joining Gatwa in the upcoming fourteenth season of the long-running franchise is Millie Gibson (Coronation Street) as his new companion, Ruby Sunday. The rest of the cast includes Jinx Monsoon (Ru Paul’s Drag Race), Jonathan Groff (Glee), Anita Dobson (Red Dwarf), Lenny Rush (Am I Being Unreasonable), and Ruth Madeley (The Cleaner). 

Coughlan will appear on the Doctor Who Christmas Special sometime in 2024.