Doctor Who New Year’s Special Trailer Seemingly Teases A Classic Villain

Ahead of Doctor Who season 11 premiering, new showrunner Chris Chibnall and his team told us that no classic monsters or villains would be featured in Jodie Whittaker’s first run as the Thirteenth Doctor. And sure enough, they were telling us the truth. Or at least, they kind of were.

You see, a rumor emerged the other day that we might see a classic foe during the New Year’s special, with speculation pointing to the Daleks making a big return to cause trouble for the Doctor and her companions. The evil pepper pots haven’t even been mentioned this season – though fans have theorized a way that they could be connected – but thanks to the first trailer for the special, which debuted today and can be seen above, it does indeed seem like those rumors may’ve been correct.

Though they aren’t explicitly named here, the promo is focused on a deadly new threat which the Doctor describes as “the most dangerous creature in the universe,” one which will “kill anything that gets in its path.” And though the preview cuts out right as Graham asks if this creature has a name, it seems pretty obvious that she’s referring to the Daleks.

Then again, we could be wrong. For all we know, Whittaker’s Doctor could be talking about another monster entirely. But something tells us Chibnall may have decided to give the fans what they’ve been waiting all season to see. And let’s hope that’s the case, as it’d certainly ease the blow of the BBC moving the special from Christmas Day to New Year’s.

We’ll have to wait and see what happens, but for now, we can tell you that the episode will be written by Chibnall, directed by Wayne Yip and will boast a guest cast including Charlotte Richie, Indian Summer’s Nikesh Patel and Save Me’s Daniel Adegboyega.

For more, here’s the official synopsis:

As the New Year begins, a terrifying evil is stirring from across the centuries of Earth’s history. As the Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz return home, will they be able to overcome the threat to planet Earth?

Sounds intriguing, and with any luck, that “terrifying evil” that the synopsis mentions will indeed turn out to be the Daleks.