The Daleks will return to 'Doctor Who' for the New Year's Day special.

Daleks in Doctor Who

Daleks in Doctor Who

The one-off episode of the popular science fiction show - which will follow the finale of the current series this weekend - will feature the return of the Time Lord's most iconic rival.

As reported by the Mirror, Jodie Whittaker's Doctor will face the evil cyborgs for the first time when they make a comeback after more than three years.

The merciless villains were last seen in 2015's 'The Witch's Familiar' when Peter Capaldi was still in the TARDIS.

It's said the memorable foe will be getting a bit of a makeover for the upcoming special - which is airing on January 1 instead of its typical Christmas Day (25.12.18) slot - as they'll lose their bronze look in favour of something new.

It comes after the new showrunner Chris Chibnall banned old monsters for his first series as he sought to put his own stamp on the show.

He previously said: "There are no old monsters. OK?"

He also teased it was only "this year" he was keeping them out, and he looks to have decided to start 2019 in a big way.

Daleks - which were created by Terry Nation - were first seen in 1963 when William Hartnell was playing the first Doctor.

The report comes after it was revealed Charlotte Ritchie, Nikesh Patel and Daniel Adegboyega will star in the New Year's Day episode.

Details of their roles in the upcoming special are being largely kept under wraps, but the former 'Call the Midwife' star will play a character called Lin, Nikesh - who is best known for his role in 'Indian Summers' - is to portray Mitch, and 'Save Me' actor Daniel will play Aaron.

This year will be the first since 2005 that there has been no Christmas Day episode of the sci-fi saga so BBC bosses previously teased the New Year special will be "spectacular".

The broadcaster said: "With 2018 marking a brand new era for 'Doctor Who', it is only right that 2019 kicks off in spectacular style...

"In this year's festive episode the Tardis will travel through the time vortex from its traditional timeslot on Christmas Day and will land in style on New Year's Day."

The hour-long episode will see the Doctor - who is portrayed by Jodie Whittaker - and her companions Ryan (Tosin Cole), Graham (Bradley Walsh) and Yaz (Mandip Gill) arrive home and discover a new alien threat to Earth.


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