Details of Nicola Coughlan’s upcoming role in the Doctor Who Christmas Special, Joy to the World, have been announced.

It will see the Irish actress join her Barbie co-star Ncuti Gatwa for the yearly festive instalment of the series.

The upcoming episode will, per the BBC, introduce "Joy, starring Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton, Derry Girls), who checks into a London hotel in 2024, only to discover that her quiet stay is anything but ordinary.

"When Joy opens a secret doorway to the Time Hotel, she discovers danger, dinosaurs, and the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa).

"But a deadly plan is unfolding across the Earth, just in time for Christmas.

"Where has the Doctor been? What is going on in Joy's hotel room? An old enemy of the Doctor's is lurking in the wings and all of human history hangs in the balance. Can the Doctor save Christmas, everywhere, all at once?"

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Speaking of her role while filming last year, Coughlan commented: "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."

Showrunner Russel T Davies added: "This has been the most brilliant shoot, with Nicola lighting up the set and bringing joy. From Derry, via Bridgerton, to the TARDIS, it's the trip of a lifetime."

Most recently, Coughlan took home Harper's Bazaar Award for Woman of the Year for her television acting, "a salute to female achievement, featuring those who have inspired, entertained, moved and impressed us over the past 12 months," according to the magazine.

She also released her first single, titled ‘Shoes, More Shoes’, in aid of LGBTQ+ charities, on June 28.

Beyond her acting career, Coughlan has received praise for her fundraising efforts to provide medical aid to Palestine, with her family's history in Jerusalem, shaped by her father's military career, deeply influencing her admirable work. Speaking of her advocacy, "There's so many eyes on me right now and what I can do is hopefully raise money for people in need", she told Hot Press.

The Doctor Who Christmas Special, Joy to the World, will air on BBC One on Christmas Day at 5:10pm.