'Doctor Who' Christmas Special Trailer Debuts, Plot Details Revealed (Video)

BBC

"Doctor Who" Christmas special

It's that time of year: The new Doctor Who Christmas special is upon us.

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The annual episode will be called "The Snowmen" and it introduces Jenna-Louise Coleman as the Doctor's new companion, Clara.

In the episode, airing 9 p.m. Christmas Day on BBC America, the two embark on a mission to save Christmas from the villainous Doctor Simeon (The Iron Lady's Richard E. Grant) and his army of icy snowmen.

The trailer for the Doctor Who Christmas special debuted during a broadcast of BBC's Children in Need that aired Friday and included an introduction by Matt Smith and Coleman. (Plus, a prequel "minisode" to the Christmas special.)

“The Doctor at Christmas is one of my favorite things -- but this year it's different. He's lost Amy and Rory to the Weeping Angels, and he's not in a good place: in fact, he's Scrooge," said executive producer Steven Moffat in a statement. "He's withdrawn from the world and no longer cares what happens to it. So when all of humanity hangs in the balance, can anyone persuade a tired and heartbroken Doctor that it's time to return to the good fight. Enter Jenna-Louise Coleman ...”

Added Smith: “For this year’s Christmas special we have the wonderfully villainous Richard E. Grant as Doctor Simeon. As well as lizards, Victorian assassins and deranged warriors from the future, who all return to convince the Doctor that he should board the TARDIS again and save the world. Add to that Jenna-Louise Coleman and so begins the Christmas Special 2012. I hope everyone enjoys it!”

Watch the trailer below:

Watch the prequel "minisode" to the Christmas special below:

Doctor Who will return for eight new episodes in spring 2013 on BBC America.

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