Doctor Who’s 2024 Christmas Special Gave Ncuti Gatwa A New Companion, But It Wasn’t Nicola Coughlan’s Character

Warning: spoilers ahead for Doctor Who’s “Joy to the World”

While Nicola Coughlan’s character was expected to serve as the stand-in companion for Doctor Who‘s 2024 Christmas special, a totally different figure takes that role instead. With Doctor Who‘s Christmas specials typically falling between seasons, the Doctor has more than once found himself mourning the loss of a companion over the festive period. Following Ruby Sunday’s exit in Doctor Who season 14, 2024 is again one of those years when the Doctor is left to rue his nomadic existence over a plate of roast potatoes and Brussels sprouts.

Traditionally, Doctor Who will introduce a temporary companion for these lonely Christmas specials – Catherine Tate’s Donna in “The Runaway Bride” and Kylie Minogue’s Astrid in “Voyage of the Damned” being two such characters. With Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan announced as the big new addition to feature alongside Ncuti Gatwa in 2024 Christmas special “Joy to the World,” it was assumed her character would occupy that temp-companion role before Varada Sethu becomes the next proper companion in Doctor Who season 15. Instead, the job goes to someone who flew largely under the radar.

Doctor Who Made Anita The Fifteenth Doctor’s New Companion In “Joy To The World”

Anita Is A Joy In Doctor Who’s 2024 Christmas Special

Quite unexpectedly, it’s Stephanie de Whalley’s Anita who truly becomes the Fifteenth Doctor’s new companion in 2024’s Christmas special. The Doctor and Anita spend a year together, during which time she comes to learn all about his mysterious nature and hears tales of fantastical monsters such as the Weeping Angels. More importantly, the Doctor and Anita each have a positive impact upon the other’s life, which is arguably the hallmark of any good Doctor Who companion. Anita encourages the Doctor to find a new friend, while the Doctor gives Anita an opportunity for a more exciting life.

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The Doctor is visibly upset when leaving the Sandringham’s concierge/cleaner/manager/behind, so while the pair may not have traveled beyond the confines of the hotel, their bond is evidently stronger than some Doctor-companion friendships from years past. Indeed, it’s a wonder Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor doesn’t invite Anita to travel alongside him in the TARDIS for Doctor Who season 15. “Joy to the World” implies Fifteen is not yet ready to move on after Ruby Sunday, but spending time with Anita at least helps him become open to the possibility of a new companion down the road.

Joy Never Really Becomes A Companion Replacement In “Joy To The World”

Joy Is Great, But Not A Companion

By contrast, Nicola Coughlan’s Joy never takes the shape of a Doctor Who companion during her short brush with the Time Lord. Joy is afforded more screen time compared to Anita, albeit not by a huge margin, but barely spends an hour of in-universe time in the Doctor’s presence. The duo’s most meaningful moment comes when Fifteen verbally eviscerates Joy in order to spark enough anger to break Villengard’s conditioning, but they never share the kinship necessary for a Doctor Who companion. Anita, on the other hand, becomes the Doctor’s close confidante across a deeply touching and emotional montage.

Joy is less of a companion figure and more someone the Doctor tries and fails to rescue. Coughlan’s doomed heroine ultimately saves the world, but she doesn’t assist the Doctor in any obvious way. Understandably, Joy is more concerned about being vaporized by Villengard’s briefcase, and is relying on the Doctor to try and spare her life.

The rest of the time, Joy is brainwashed by Villengard’s psychic programming, which further limits her ability to interact with the Doctor. Even in the very final moments of “Joy to the World,” the Doctor goes solo and leaves Joy standing awkwardly in a crypt while he tries to save the day using a rope, meaning there’s never a sense of the teamwork needed for a Doctor and companion dynamic.

Granted, Anita never helps the Doctor save the world. Their rapport and ability to bounce ideas off each other, however, is exactly what a Doctor and companion double act should be, and this is especially evident when the two chair buddies invade a couple’s honeymoon suite to investigate another door to the Time Hotel. Joy is a fine character and a worthy addition to the pantheon of one-off Doctor Who guest stars, but the only companion vibes in “Joy to the World” are coming from behind the Sandringham Hotel’s front desk.

Doctor Who Must Reunite Fifteen & Anita, Right?

Please, Doctor Who, Bring Back Anita!

So compelling and heartwarming is the camaraderie between the Fifteenth Doctor and Anita, Doctor Who would be remiss not to bring Stephanie de Whalley back in a future episode. Anita’s new job at the Time Hotel makes a return straightforward enough, and de Whalley’s chemistry with Gatwa could easily sustain an entire adventure, should the Doctor ever find himself in a one-mug-in-the-TARDIS situation again.

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Alternatively, Anita could follow the same path as Catherine Tate’s Donna, who began as a one-off Christmas companion but enjoyed such an enthusiastic response she was later hired on a full-time basis. After a hugely positive first outing, it would be no surprise whatsoever if Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor began Doctor Who season 16 with a trip to the Time Hotel to pick up his old friend – for auld lang syne.

The latest season of Doctor Who introduces the Fifteenth Doctor, joined by new companion Ruby Sunday. Their first adventure begins with “The Church on Ruby Road,” where they face powerful new foes and unravel the mystery surrounding Ruby’s origins. The Doctor grapples with the aftermath of a unique regeneration event and battles enemies more formidable than ever before.

Release Date

December 25, 2023

Cast

Ncuti Gatwa
, Millie Gibson
, Susan Twist
, Michelle Greenidge
, Angela Wynter
, Jemma Redgrave
, Yasmin Finney
, Anita Dobson

Seasons

1