The article contains major spoilers for Doctor Who’s “Joy to the World.“DoctorWho’s Russell T Davies teased how Joy’s (Nicola Coughlan) final words to Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor will shape his future adventures in season 2. The 2024 Christmas special “Joy to the World” saw the Fifteenth Doctor investigating a strange new guest at the Time Hotel, bringing him into contact with Joy as she takes a solo journey through the holidays. In the end,Joy ultimately sacrifices herself to ensure that the Star Seed power sourcedoesn’t fall into the wrong hands, but nothing without a final parting word with the Doctor.
In an interview withScreen Rant, Davies teased that her final talk with the Doctor would resonate with the Time Lord. While the showrunner joked about the bittersweet ending, he praised writer Steven Moffat’s work on the episode but acknowledged that the public will have certain knowledge ahead of time thatthe Doctor won’t be alone forever.
Oh, basically, he completely fails and is alone for the rest of eternity! [laughs] Not really, it’s a very beautiful handover that Steven’s written for us there because, of course, at the same time that you’re writing a show, the audience is equally aware of its publicity as well. You know that Varada Sethu is coming in as Belinda Chandra at the start of the new series, and all of the stories to come there.
Davies teased that Joy’s advice for the Doctor to travel with a friend once more will resonate with the Time Lord. This will bereflected in his meeting with Varada Sethu’s new companion Belinda ChandrawhenDoctor Whoseason 15 arrives. Check out Davies' full explanation below:
She’s absolutely gorgeous and gives such a performance, so it’s very clearly handing over to that. It’s a slightly different introduction. We’ll talk again about it when the series rolls around in a few months, but you realize that the Doctor has taken on board Joy’s advice, and also [that] someone else has set him in motion as well. So, yes, he is actively looking for a new friend definitely.
What Davies' Tease Means For Doctor Who Season 15
In theDoctorWhoseason 14 ending, the Time Lord was left in a difficult position that remained with him into the 2024 Christmas adventure. He is still not used to traveling alone and is holding people at arm’s length to avoid causing harm. However, through his adventures with Joy and a year-long stay with Anita (Steph de Whalley), the pairhelp each other through their battles with isolation and loneliness, with the Doctor ultimately being urged by his latest companion to find a friend. As such, with Joy watching over him among the stars, the adventure ends in a bittersweet but hopeful way.
Doctor Who’s 2024 Christmas Special Gave Ncuti Gatwa A New Companion, But It Wasn’t Nicola Coughlan’s Character
Nicola Coughlan was expected to assume companion duties in Doctor Who’s 2024 Christmas special, but another character surprisingly takes that role.
However, as seen in theDoctorWhoseason 15 trailer,Belinda’s arrival on the TARDIS may be less voluntarythan expected, with the new companion requesting the Time Lord help bring her home. As such, while Davies has teased that the pair will become friends in time, the pair may not get off to the strongest start.
Our Thoughts On Joy’s Advice For The Doctor
Joy’s Advice Is Reminiscent Of Past Lessons
Joy isn’t the first companion to ask the Doctor not to travel alone inDoctorWho’smodern run. From Catherine Tate’s Donna Noble to Karen Gillan’s Amy Pond, each friend has seen how the Doctor needs someone to help him and prevent him from crossing a line. However, while Joy’s advice may be familiar to viewers, his interactions with her and Anita and processing grief help the Time Lord grapple with his own bad habits and poor view of himself. As such, many may look forward to seeing how the Doctor’s new lease on life is seen inDoctorWhoseason 15.
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Doctor Who: Released on August 07, 2025, this series follows the Doctor and their companion as they journey across time and space, encountering a range of extraordinary friends and adversaries, expanding the universe of the long-running British science fiction series.
