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Doctor Who New Year’s Day special cast: Who stars in the BBC drama?

SERIES 13 of Doctor Who only wrapped up a few weeks ago, but fans won't have to wait long for more of their favourite time traveler.

Eve of the Daleks will see Jodie Whittaker return as the 13th Doctor and follow her as she grapples with what looks to be a time loop.

Jodie Whittaker will appear in three special episodes in 2022
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Jodie Whittaker will appear in three special episodes in 2022

Who stars in the Doctor Who New Year's Day special?

Doctor Who will be back on screens for a festive special on New Year's Day 2022.

The episode, titled Eve of the Daleks, will see the Doctor and her companions Yasmin and Dan (plus some special guest stars) take on some of the series most iconic villains, the Daleks.

Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor

Jodie Whittaker is leaving the world of Daleks behind at the end of 2022
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Jodie Whittaker is leaving the world of Daleks behind at the end of 2022

Eve of the Daleks is the first of a trio of specials that will be Jodie Whittaker's last, as she'll be departing the series at the end of 2022.

It's not yet clear who'll be stepping into the iconic role next, but some of the favourites include Olly Alexander, Michael Sheen and Michaela Coel.

Mandip Gill as Yasmin Khan

Former Hollyoaks actress Mandip Gill joined Doctor Who in 2018
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Former Hollyoaks actress Mandip Gill joined Doctor Who in 2018

Companion Yasmin Khan - played by Mandip Gill - first joined the show for its' eleventh series back in 2018.

Before joining Doctor Who, Gill appeared in Hollyoaks as Phoebe Jackson, a homeless teen, before leaving the soap in 2015.

John Bishop as Dan Lewis

John Bishop will be leaving Doctor Who behind after one series
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John Bishop will be leaving Doctor Who behind after one series

Another regular companion, comedian John Bishop joined the show for its' thirteenth series, with his character Dan first unveiled in a teaser trailer aired after the 2020 New Year's special.

John has confirmed that he'll be leaving the show, however, having starred in just one full series.

Aisling Bea as Sarah

Aisling Bea will be playing ELF Storage owner Sarah
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Aisling Bea will be playing ELF Storage owner Sarah

The first member of the guest cast confirmed for the special is This Way Up star Aisling Bea.

Her character, Sarah, is the owner and operator of ELF Storage - but so far, that's all we know about her.

Adjani Salmon as Nick

Adjani Salmon has spent much of his career behind the camera as a Director
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Adjani Salmon has spent much of his career behind the camera as a Director

Adjani Salmon is also joining the Doctor Who cast as a special guest.

The actor and director, best known for Dreaming Whilst Black, will be playing Nick, one of Sarah's customers at ELF Storage.

Pauline McLynn

Pauline McLynn has been confirmed to be guest starring in Eve of the Daleks
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Pauline McLynn has been confirmed to be guest starring in Eve of the Daleks

Father Ted star Pauline McLynn is also set to star in the New Year's episode, but her role has yet to be revealed by the BBC.

Instead, it looks like fans will have to wait and see what part the actress will be playing.

When is the Doctor Who New Year's Day special on TV?

The special episode will air on New Year's Day (January 1) on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

In this episode Jodie Whittaker's two-hearted alien and her friends (played by Mandip Gill and comedian-actor John Bishop) face off against the dreaded Daleks while trapped in a Groundhog Day-style time loop.

"For the Doctor, this is the ultimate of horror stories, getting stuck in a time loop with them where the outcome could be extermination permanently," says Whittaker, who will leave the show after two more special episodes.

"It's a high energy, high comedy farce. It pulls in all the brilliant things that you want over the festive period from television. It's got adventure, it's got jeopardy, it's got conflict, it's got drama, but at the heart of it it is great fun. I think that's why it works so well as a standalone festive episode."

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However, as the BBC have yet to reveal their festive schedule beyond December 27, the exact air time is not yet known.

First look at Doctor Who New Year's Day special sees The Daleks make deadly return - with a major twist

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