Voyage of the Damned Premiere

Voyage of the Damned
Tuesday 25 December, 6:50pm - 8:00pm, BBC1
You can tell that writer Russell T Davies was raised on glorious 1970s disaster movies such as The Poseidon Adventure and The Towering Inferno, because their influences are all over this spectacular, sometimes scary, journey into danger. (Worth bearing in mind if young children are watching.) Voyage of the Damned is packed with heart-thumping "survivors in peril" moments as the Doctor (David Tennant) leads a motley gang, including plucky waitress Astrid (Kylie Minogue) through the wrecked Titanic after the Tardis crash-lands on the doomed vessel. But their flight is thwarted by a phalanx of homicidal angels. It's Christmas, but they're not remotely interested in peace on Earth. As you'd expect from such a master storyteller, every necessary element is present - tension, heart-warming moments, cheeky bits, in-jokes and fun. This really is the most special Christmas special.
Episode written by Russell T Davies
* The Doctor - David Tennant
* Astrid Peth - Kylie Minogue
* Captain Hardaker - Geoffrey Palmer
* Midshipman Frame - Russell Tovey
* Max Capricorn - George Costigan
* Rickston Slade - Gray O'Brien
* Chief steward - Andrew Havill
* Engineer - Bruce Lawrence
* Foon Van Hoff - Debbie Chazen
* Morvin Van Hoff - Clive Rowe
* Mr Copper - Clive Swift
* Bannakaffalatta - Jimmy Vee
* Wilfred Mott - Bernard Cribbins
* Nicholas Witchell - Himself

Doctor Who Confidential at Christmas
Tuesday 25 December, 8:30pm - 9:30pm, BBC3
Behind-the-scenes look at Doctor Who, following the production team, writers and cast as they tackle the Titanic and invite Kylie Minogue aboard the TARDIS for the festive season as the Doctor's special companion, Astrid.