Nicola Coughlan Reveals She “Had No Idea What Was Going On” During Doctor Who Christmas Special Filming

Nicola Coughlan, renowned for her roles in Derry Girls and Bridgerton, is set to make her debut as the companion in the upcoming Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special. Despite her growing popularity, Coughlan confessed that she approached this iconic franchise with a clean slate, having had no previous exposure to the series before being cast. The festive special, titled “Joy to the World,”follows the adventures of Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor as he embarks on a journey through human history, showcasing a hotel that offers accommodations from various points in time and space.

As Doctor Who prepares to air its 18th Christmas special, Coughlan revealed on The Graham Norton Show (via PA Media) that her familiarity with the franchise was nonexistent. Growing up in Ireland, she admitted that she had never seen an episode, which necessitated some in-depth research once she was officially cast. Even as she began her work on set, Coughlan felt out of her element:

I can’t tell you anything, not because of secrecy but because I had no idea what was going on. I was brought up in Ireland so didn’t see it as a child so when I got the part, I looked it up on Wikipedia – it was like reading War And Peace and it was so confusing with monsters and time travel.

Despite her unfamiliarity with the series, Coughlan expressed her enjoyment of the filming process, indicating her willingness to return to the franchise for future projects:

It was a fun experience, and I had a lovely time. If they want me back, I would do it again.

Coughlan’s Comments and Their Implications for Doctor Who’s Christmas Special

Newcomers to Doctor Who: A Common Theme

Throughout its impressive 60-plus year legacy, Doctor Who has welcomed numerous actors into key roles, many of whom had little to no familiarity with the series before their auditions. Notably, both Christopher Eccleston and Matt Smith shared similar sentiments, stating that they had not engaged with the show prior to taking on the role of the Doctor. Their subsequent commitment, however, resulted in two of the most iconic eras in the show’s history.

Coughlan’s initial unfamiliarity should not raise concerns. Coming off her leading role in Bridgerton, her addition to Doctor Who is poised to attract new viewers and enliven the storytelling with her unique perspective and talents as an actress.

Reflections on Coughlan’s Journey in Doctor Who

Potential for Future Appearances

While she may have struggled to grasp all the intricate details of the seasonal special, it is evident that Coughlan is proud of her work and eagerly anticipates the audience’s reaction. Fans are likely curious whether there could be a chance for her to reprise her role in future episodes. Treasured characters, such as Catherine Tate’s Donna Noble, began as one-off guest appearances only to evolve into mainstays, demonstrating that anything is possible.

That said, the future of Doctor Who is currently uncertain. The decision on any continuations beyond season 15 and the anticipated spin-off, The War Between The Land And Sea, will not be finalized until after the airing of the 2025 season. This delay means that Coughlan’s next chapter in the Doctor Who universe may be farther down the road than many fans hope.

Source: PA Media

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