View source for Joy to the World (TV story)

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{{Infobox Story SMW
|image           = Doctor Who Will Return 2024.jpg
|special         = [[Christmas Special]] 2024
|story number    = 312
|doctor          = Fifteenth Doctor
|companions      = [[Joy Almondo|Joy]]<ref name="BBClist" /><ref name="Cast" />
|featuring       = 
|enemy           = <!--unreleased story-->
|setting         = The Time Hotel<ref>[[GRAPHIC]]: {{cs|The Time Hotel (illustration)}} ([[DWM 611]])</ref><!--
|writer          = Steven Moffat-->
|writer spoil    = [[Steven Moffat]]<ref name="JTTW" /><ref name="BBClist" />
|director        = [[Alex Sanjiv Pillai]]<ref name="Pillai">{{cite web|url=https://cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/ncuti-gatwa-films-doctor-who-in-cardiff|title=Ncuti Gatwa films Doctor Who in Cardiff|author=Andrea Laford|date of source=2023-10-31|website name=CultBox|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312181050/https://cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/ncuti-gatwa-films-doctor-who-in-cardiff|archivedate=2024-03-12}}</ref><ref name="BBClist" />
|producer        = [[Alison Sterling]]<ref name="BBClist" />
|genre           = Science fiction
|broadcast date  = 25 December 2024
|network         = BBC iPlayer, Disney+
|format          = 
|epcount         = 1
|novelisation    =
|production code =
|series          = [[List of Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
|prev            = Empire of Death (TV story)
|series2         = [[Christmas Special]]s
|prev2           = The Church on Ruby Road (TV story)
|trailer         = 
|clip            = A Message of Joy! - CHRISTMAS 2024 PREVIEW - Doctor Who
|clip2           = 
|clip3           = 
|bts             = 
}}
'''''Joy to the World''''' — released internationally, [[disputed story titles|it would seem]], as '''''Joy to the Worlds'''''<ref name="Worlds" /> — is the upcoming [[2024 (releases)|2024]] [[Christmas Special]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. Written by [[Steven Moffat]], it will be the first [[Festive Special|holiday special]] not penned by the current showrunner.<ref name="JTTW">{{cite web|url=https://www.tvchoicemagazine.co.uk/tv/doctor-who/the-big-interview-doctor-whos-steven-moffat/|title=The BIG Interview: Doctor Who's Steven Moffat|author=Tom Spilsbury|date of source=2024-05-14|website name=TV Choice Magazine|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514075256/https://www.tvchoicemagazine.co.uk/tv/doctor-who/the-big-interview-doctor-whos-steven-moffat/|archivedate=2024-05-14}}</ref>

== Synopsis ==
''to be added''

== Plot ==
''to be added''

== Cast ==
* [[Fifteenth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Ncuti Gatwa]]<ref name="DWCoughlan">{{cite web|url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/get-a-first-look-at-nicola-coughlan-as-she-joins-doctor-who|title=Get a first look at Nicola Coughlan as she joins Doctor Who|date of source=2023-11-13|website name=Doctor Who|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407155731/https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/get-a-first-look-at-nicola-coughlan-as-she-joins-doctor-who|archivedate=2024-04-07}}</ref><ref name="Cast" /><ref name="BBClist">{{Cite_web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0026d24|title=Doctor Who, Joy to the World|website name=BBC One|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204165800/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0026d24|archivedate=2024-12-04}}</ref>
* Joy Almondo<ref name="BBClist" /> - [[Nicola Coughlan]]<ref name="DWCoughlan" /><ref name="SDCC" /><ref name="Cast" />
* Trev Simpkins - [[Joel Fry]]<ref name="BBClist" />
* Anita Benn - [[Steph de Whalley]]<ref name="BBClist" />
* Hotel Manager<!--[[Melnak|Hotel Manager]]--> - [[Jonathan Aris]]<ref name="BBClist" /><ref name="Cast">{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-christmas-special-cast-newsupdate/|title=Doctor Who casts Sherlock and Casualty stars in Christmas special|author=Louise Griffin|date of source=2024-08-15|website name=RadioTimes.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815195610/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-christmas-special-cast-newsupdate/|archivedate=2024-08-15}}</ref>
* Hilda Flockhart  - [[Julia Watson]]<ref name="BBClist" />
* Basil Flockhart - [[Peter Benedict]]<ref name="BBClist" />
* Sylvia Trench - [[Niamh Marie Smith]]<ref name="BBClist" />
* [[Edmund Hillary]] - [[Phil Baxter]]<ref name="BBClist" />
* [[Tenzing Norgay]] - [[Samuel Sherpa-Moore]]<ref name="BBClist" />
* Receptionist<!--[[Receptionist (Joy to the World)|Receptionist]]--> - [[Ruchi Rai]]<ref name="BBClist" />
* Mr Single<!--[[Single (Joy to the World)|Mr Single]]--> - [[Joshua Leese]]<ref name="BBClist" />
* Server<!--[[Server (Joy to the World)|Server]]--> - [[Ell Potter]]<ref name="BBClist" />
* Barman<!--[[Barman (Joy to the World)|Barman]]--> - [[Liam Prince-Donnelly]]<ref name="BBClist" />
* Angela Grace - [[Fiona Marr]]<ref name="BBClist" />

== Crew ==
''to be added''

== Worldbuilding ==
''to be added''

== Notes ==
* The special was first mentioned in ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' [[DWM 585|issue 585]], published [[8 December (releases)|8 December]] [[2022 (releases)|2022]], in which showrunner [[Russell T Davies]] stated in his ''[[Letter from the Showrunner]]'' column that he was (himself) currently writing the special.<ref name="DWM585">{{cite web|url=https://cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/russell-t-davies-reveals-series-plans-to-doctor-who-magazine|title=Russell T Davies reveals series plans to Doctor Who Magazine|author=Andrea Laford|date of source=2022-12-07|website name=CultBox|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417233841/https://cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/russell-t-davies-reveals-series-plans-to-doctor-who-magazine|archivedate=2024-04-17}}</ref>
** However, on [[14 May (production)|14 May]] [[2024 (production)|2024]], writer and former showrunner [[Steven Moffat]] revealed the special's title and that he had written it – making it his 50th overall script – in an interview with ''TV Choice Magazine''.<ref name="JTTW" /> This followed on from rumours of Moffat's involvement after producer [[Alison Sterling]]'s online CV briefly listed him as the writer.<ref name="Moffat">{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-steven-moffat-2024-christmas-newsupdate/|title=Doctor Who's Steven Moffat 'returns to write 2024 Christmas special'|author=James Hibbs|date of source=2024-03-12|website name=RadioTimes.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428032152/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-steven-moffat-2024-christmas-newsupdate/|archivedate=2024-04-28}}</ref>
** On [[12 November (production)|12 November]], Moffat explained in an interview with BBC South East news that Davies had approached him about writing the special as he felt he was not going to finish his original script as he needed to start writing [[Season 2 (Doctor Who 2023)|season 2]].<ref name="Time-Travelling Hotel">{{cite_web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-steven-moffat-christmas-special-time-travel-hotel-newsupdate/|title=Doctor Who's Steven Moffat confirms Christmas special plot details – including 'time-travelling hotel'|author=Morgan Cormack|date of source=2024-11-12|website name=RadioTimes.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112170923/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-steven-moffat-christmas-special-time-travel-hotel-newsupdate/|archivedate=2024-11-12}}</ref>
* This episode is the first [[Christmas Special]] to not be written by the current showrunner; however, it is written by a former showrunner, [[Steven Moffat]].
* This episode marks Moffat's first [[Christmas Special]] since {{cs|Twice Upon a Time (TV story)}} in [[2017 (releases)|2017]].
* Earlier in the year, Moffat snuck the special's title into an interview with ''[[Radio Times]]'' in which he denied he had returned to ''Doctor Who'' at all: "It doesn't exactly bring joy to the world that I just say something negative about ''Doctor Who''."<ref name="MoffatTheSneak">{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/steven-moffat-doctor-who-christmas-2024-special-confirmed-newsupdate/|title=Steven Moffat confirms he wrote Doctor Who Christmas 2024 special: 'Is that my final moment?'|author=Morgan Cormack|date of source=2024-05-14|website name=RadioTimes.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514171402/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/steven-moffat-doctor-who-christmas-2024-special-confirmed-newsupdate/|archivedate=2024-05-14}}</ref>
* On [[22 June (releases)|22 June]], Davies described it as the "maddest" Christmas special ever, with a "great story of who the Doctor is when he's alone".<ref name="Maddest">{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-christmas-special-maddest-newsupdate/|title=Doctor Who boss says Christmas special is 'maddest ever'|author=James Hibbs|date of source=2024-06-23|website name=RadioTimes.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623152612/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-christmas-special-maddest-newsupdate/|archivedate=2024-06-23}}</ref>
* On [[4 July (releases)|4 July]], Moffat told ''Ireland AM'' that Coughlan was "wonderful" in the special and that she would break [[heart]]s.<ref name="Break Your Heart">{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/steven-moffat-doctor-who-christmas-special-nicola-coughlan-newsupdate/|title=Steven Moffat talks Doctor Who Christmas special: 'Nicola Coughlan will break your heart'|author=Lidia Molina-Whyte|date of source=2024-07-04|website name=RadioTimes.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704192739/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/steven-moffat-doctor-who-christmas-special-nicola-coughlan-newsupdate/|archivedate=2024-07-04}}</ref>
* On [[26 July (releases)|26 July]], a preview was released at the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' panel at [[San Diego Comic Con]], showing a few minutes of the episode. Coughlan's character was announced to be named [[Joy Almondo|Joy]].<ref name="SDCC">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-shows/doctor-who-christmas-special-first-look-joy-to-the-world-new-companion-name-belinda-chandra/|title=Doctor Who unveils first look at Christmas special and confirms Varada Sethu's companion name – and her potential link to an existing character|author=Molly Edwards|coauthors=Amy West|date of source=2024-07-26|website name=GamesRadar+|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726213214/https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-shows/doctor-who-christmas-special-first-look-joy-to-the-world-new-companion-name-belinda-chandra/|archivedate=2024-07-26}}</ref>
* On [[15 August (releases)|15 August]] the [[DWM 607|607th issue]] of ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'' identified the other cast members and characters seen in the preview.<ref name="Cast">{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-christmas-special-cast-newsupdate/|title=Doctor Who casts Sherlock and Casualty stars in Christmas special|author=Louise Griffin|date of source=2024-08-15|website name=RadioTimes.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815195610/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-christmas-special-cast-newsupdate/|archivedate=2024-08-15}}</ref>
* The story is set to [[Joy to the World cinema premiere|premiere in one or more cinemas]]{{note|It is currently unclear whether this involves multiple winners getting exclusive screenings, or only a single group.}} across the UK and US, with a competition being held to win tickets to access these premieres.<ref name="Festive Special Competition">{{cite web|title=Friendship Is Universal - a Festive Special Competition!|website name=[[doctorwho.tv]]|date of source=8 October 2024|accessdate=8 October 2024|url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/play/friendship-is-universal-festive-special-competition|publisher=[[BBC Studios]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008155255/https://www.doctorwho.tv/play/friendship-is-universal-festive-special-competition|archivedate=8 October 2024}}</ref>
* On 12 November, Moffat teased in an interview that the episode's plot involved a [[hotel]] chain using [[time travel]] to sell unused nights in hotel rooms throughout history.<ref name="Time-Travelling Hotel" />
* On [[15 November (production)|15 November]], another preview of the special was released for [[Children in Need]].<ref name="CINS">{{cite_web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-christmas-special-teaser-newsupdate/|title=Doctor Who unveils new Christmas special teaser for Children in Need|author=Louise Griffin|website name=RadioTimes.com|date of source=2024-11-15|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241116001443/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-christmas-special-teaser-newsupdate/|archivedate=2024-11-16}}</ref>
* On [[20 November (production)|20 November]], the BBC announced that ''Joy to the World'' would be premiering simultaneously on [[BBC One]] and [[BBC iPlayer|iPlayer]] in the UK and [[Disney+]] elsewhere.<ref name="Simultaneous">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/bbcdoctorwho/status/1859341092539486631|title=34 days to prep the ham and cheese toasties and a pumpkin latte! 🎄<br />Watch JOY TO THE WORLD this Christmas Day on @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer simultaneously in the UK and on @DisneyPlus where available #DoctorWho|author=[[Official Doctor Who Twitter|@bbcdoctorwho]]|date of source=2024-11-20|archiveurl=https://archive.ph/wTCO2|archivedate=2024-11-21}}</ref>
* On [[23 November (production)|23 November]], the BBC and Disney+ released promotional posters for the episode on social media.<ref name="JTTW Twit">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/bbcdoctorwho/status/1860413206000501009|title=Check in to Christmas, everywhere, all at once! ✨🎄<br/>Watch #DoctorWho: JOY TO THE WORLD this Christmas Day on @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer simultaneously in the UK and on @DisneyPlus where available|author=[[Official Doctor Who Twitter|@bbcdoctorwho]]|date of source=2024-11-23|archiveurl=https://archive.ph/umI1Q|archivedate=2024-11-24}}</ref><ref name="JTTW Insta">{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DCucZ-DBabT/|title=Check in to Christmas, everywhere, all at once! ✨🎄<br />Watch #DoctorWho: JOY TO THE WORLD this Christmas Day on @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer simultaneously in the UK and on @DisneyPlus where available|author=@bbcdoctorwho|date of source=2024-11-23|archiveurl=https://archive.ph/pI6DZ#selection-689.0-709.16|archivedate=2024-11-24}}</ref> The Disney+ poster notably rendered the episode's title as "Joy to the Worlds", with several official replies on [[Doctor Who social media|social media]] indicating that this was not in error, and [[disputed story titles|will be the title used in the international market]].<ref name="Worlds">{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-christmas-title-joy-worlds-newsupdate/|title=Doctor Who hints at plot twist with Christmas special title confusion|author=Christian Tobin|website name=RadioTimes.com|date of source=2024-11-24|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241124143100/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-christmas-title-joy-worlds-newsupdate/|archivedate=2024-11-24}}</ref>
* In an interview with the ''[[Radio Times]]'', Moffat stated the special would answer a longstanding mystery that people had likely been wondering about since they were young children.<ref name="Longest Mystery">{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-christmas-2024-moffat-davies-interview/|title=Doctor Who Christmas special will solve "longest-standing mystery"|author=Huw Fullerton|website name=RadioTimes.com|date of source=2024-11-26|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127181539/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-christmas-2024-moffat-davies-interview/|archivedate=2024-11-17}}</ref>
*Moffat told the December 2024 issue of ''[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]'' magazine that the episode's tone leaned more humourous,<ref name="SFX">{{cite_web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-shows/doctor-who/steven-moffat-christmas-special-lighter-blink/|title=Writer Steven Moffat promises that his Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special is lighter and more fun than his previous episodes: "It's not Blink"|author=Emily Murray|coauthors=Nick Setchfield|website name=GamesRadar+|date of source=2024-11-30|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130192514/https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-shows/doctor-who/steven-moffat-christmas-special-lighter-blink/|archivedate=2024-11-30}}</ref> and that the episode explored what went on in the Doctor's head "when he's got no one to be the Doctor for".<ref name="SFX 2">{{cite_web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-shows/the-doctor-who-christmas-special-will-explore-what-its-like-to-be-in-the-time-lords-head-when-hes-got-no-one-to-be-the-doctor-for/|title=The Doctor Who Christmas special will explore what it's like to be in the Time Lord's head when he's "got no one to be the Doctor for"|author=Bradley Russell|coauthors=Nick Setchfield|website name=GamesRadar+|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201185229/https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-shows/the-doctor-who-christmas-special-will-explore-what-its-like-to-be-in-the-time-lords-head-when-hes-got-no-one-to-be-the-doctor-for/|archivedate=2024-12-01}}</ref>

=== Myths ===
''to be added''

=== Filming locations ===
''to be added''

=== Ratings ===
''to be added''

=== Production errors ===
{{discontinuity}}
''to be added''

== Continuity ==
* [[WC]]: {{cs|The TARDIS is landing just in time for Christmas! (webcast)}} served as a promotional video for this story, and featured an image of the [[Fifteenth Doctor]] with [[Joy Almondo]] as part of an in-universe [[advertisement]] for [[Joy to the World (in-universe)|the episode]].
* [[The Time Hotel]] first appeared in a series of in-universe [[advertisement]]s in [[GRAPHIC]]: {{cs|The Time Hotel (illustration)}}, published as a [[free gifts (Doctor Who Magazine)|free gift]] with [[DWM 611]] earlier in December.

== Home media releases ==
''to be added''

== Gallery ==
{{Main|Joy to the World (TV story)/Gallery}}<!--

== External links ==
{{doctorwho.tv|joy-to-the-world}}-->

== Footnotes ==
=== Notes ===
{{notelist}}

=== References ===
{{reflist|3}}
{{DWTV}}

[[Category:2024 television stories]]
[[Category:Doctor Who Christmas specials]]
[[Category:Fifteenth Doctor television stories]]