The Doctor Who universe will welcome Nicola Coughlan, well-known for her appearances in Derry Girls and Bridgerton. In the upcoming special, she lends her distinct charm to this beloved sci-fi series despite initially finding its complicated world daunting.
During an interview on The Graham Norton Show, Coughlan admitted that she was unfamiliar with the legendary BBC series. Growing up in Ireland, she had never seen Doctor Who. She got a crash course on the show from Wikipedia to prepare for her role, comparing it to “reading War and Peace—confusing with monsters and time travel.”
Coughlan plays Joy, a character, in the holiday episode “Joy to the World.” She joins Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor on a time-travel journey through human history. Despite her initial bewilderment, Coughlan indicated enthusiasm for the encounter. “I had a great time, and the experience was enjoyable. “If they want me back, I’ll do it again,” she stated.
Coughlan’s casting follows a Doctor Who tradition in which performers frequently arrive on the show with little prior knowledge. Christopher Eccleston and Matt Smith, who played previous Doctors, claimed to be unfamiliar with the series before their roles.
This Christmas special, set after the events of Doctor Who Season 14, promises to be an exciting addition to the show’s 60-year history. The episode will contain a hotel with rooms from many times and places, providing a fascinating setting for Coughlan’s character’s exploits.
This appearance comes after Coughlan’s excellent season in Bridgerton, where she played Penelope Featherington. Her ability to adapt to different parts demonstrates her versatility as an actress.
While the future of Doctor Who is unknown beyond Season 15 and its upcoming spin-off, The War Between The Land And Sea, Coughlan’s desire to return hints that fans will see more of her in the Doctor Who universe.
