On Easter Sunday 31 March 2024, a new trailer and the titles for all eight episodes of the 2024 series of Doctor Who were released along with some new images and casting information.
Space Babies
In this episode, written by Russell T Davies and directed by Julie Anne Robinson, the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) start off by meeting some dinosaurs and a very pivotal butterfly.
“Is it safe?,” Ruby asks as as the TARDIS takes the Doctor and Ruby to a space station.
Where they encounter a monster called the Bogeyman.
And some babies. A very precocious baby named Eric exclaims, “It’s you!” He possibly recognizes the Doctor or Ruby.
Jocelyn (Golda Rosheuvel) oversees the space station on her monitors.
The TARDIS makes a trip to Ruby’s flat, to the surprise of her mother Carla (Michelle Greenidge) and grandmother Cherry (Angela Wynter).
The Devil’s Chord
This episode, written by Russell T Davies and directed by Ben Chessell, rocks through time into 1963. There’s a composer named Timothy Drake. It’s not yet known if Drake has a connection to the character played by Jinkx Monsoon.
Four actors from Liverpool portray The Beatles in this episode as the Doctor and Ruby set off to Abbey Road Studios.
Jinkx Monsoon plays the antagonist in The Devil’s Chord. Their character shares scenes with the Doctor and a piano on a roof.
Music wraps sinuously around Ruby. She negotiates multiple perils.
The Doctor sings in exuberant musical scenes.
Boom
This episode, written by Steven Moffat and directed by Julie Anne Robinson is set in a war zone. The Doctor brags, “Honey, I’m a much bigger bang than you bargained for. I will shatter this silly little battlefield in to dust! In a heartbeat, into dust.”
The battlefield contains a hidden land mine which the Doctor steps on and risks everything if he steps off.
73 Yards
This episode, written by Russell T Davies and directed by Dylan Holmes Williams, guest stars Aneurin Barnard as Welsh Albion candidate Roger ap Gwilliam. Jemma Redgrave as chief UNIT science officer Kate Stewart, Michelle Greenidge as Ruby’s Mother Carla Sunday and Anita Dobson as Ruby’s neighbor Mrs Flood. We have yet to see any of these actors in a trailer scene for 73 Yards.
Part of the episode takes place in a Welsh pub or inn called Y Pren Mawr, which means The Dead Wood in Welsh.
A good portion of the episode takes place when the TARDIS lands on an ocean cliff side.
Another shot of Ruby from the episode.
Dot and Bubble
Callie Cooke plays a pivotal role in this episode written by Russell T Davies and directed by Dylan Holmes Williams. Does she play a character in a video game world? A suspicious entity called Finetime is involved.
Rogue
This episode, written by Kate Herron and Briony Redman and directed by Ben Chessell, takes place in the Regency period. It’s 1814 and the Duchess of Pemberton (Indira Varma) is hosting a ball. Dress to impress and beware the Duchess, who is not what she seems. How very Bridgerton.
One of the ball guests describes Ruby as “wild, brave and rude.”
The Doctor meets a handsome guest played by Jonathan Groff.
One more shot of the Doctor from Rogue.
The Legend of Ruby Sunday and Empire of Death
Both of these final episodes were written by Russell T Davies and directed by Jamie Donoughue. Not pictured in the Easter trailer are Lenny Rush as Morris and Bonnie Langford as Mel Bush.
The TARDIS lands at the UNIT tower in London. The Doctor is happily reunited with Rose Noble (Yasmin Finney).
A matrix can conjure snow.
The Doctor promises Ruby’s mother that he will keep Ruby safe.
One last shot of the Doctor from Empire of Death.
Doctor Who, starring Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson returns on 11 May 2024 midnight, 00:00 BST (10 May 7:00pm ET) streaming on BBC iPlayer and Disney+ with Space Babies and The Devil’s Chord. Both episodes will broadcast on BBC One in the UK and Ireland on 11 May immediately before Eurovision. The remaining six episodes will stream at 00:00 BST on the six subsequent Saturdays.