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The Church on Ruby Road

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"The Church on Ruby Road" is an episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The episode was broadcast on BBC One on 25 December 2023 as the fourteenth Christmas special since the show's revival in 2005. It is the first Christmas special since "Twice Upon a Time" (2017) after which the show transitioned to New Year's specials. Ncuti Gatwa makes his first regular appearance as the Fifteenth Doctor and the episode introduces Millie Gibson as his companion Ruby Sunday.

304 – "The Church on Ruby Road"
Doctor Who episode
Promotional poster
Cast
Others
  • Davina McCall – Herself
  • Bobby Bradley – Denzel
  • Mary Malone – Trudy
  • Anita Dobson – Mrs Flood
  • Hemi Yeroham – Abdul
  • Michelle Greenidge – Carla Sunday
  • Angela Wynter – Cherry Sunday
  • Gemma Arrowsmith – Ruth Lyons
  • Rachelle Beinart, Jess Judge, Dilu Miah, Giuseppe Lentini, Andrew Francis, Lukas Disparrow – Goblins
  • Susan Twist – Heckler (uncredited)[1]
Production
Directed byMark Tonderai
Written byRussell T Davies
Script editorScott Handcock
Produced byChris May
Executive producer(s)
Music byMurray Gold
Running time55 minutes
First broadcast25 December 2023 (2023-12-25)
Chronology
← Preceded by
"The Giggle" 		Followed by →
"Space Babies"
List of episodes (2005–present)

The story focuses on the Doctor meeting orphan Ruby Sunday, who was abandoned at a church on Ruby Road, hence her name, and her plight to find her birth parents. Following an interview with Davina McCall (playing a fictional version of herself), the two begin experiencing bad luck wherever they go, because of the antics of goblins, who eventually kidnap a new foster baby.

"The Church on Ruby Road" was filmed along with the fourteenth series with production on the special taking place across Wales in January and February 2023. It was written by Russell T Davies and directed by Mark Tonderai.

Plot

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Ruby Sunday, an orphan who lives with her adoptive mother, Carla, and adoptive grandmother, Cherry, is interviewed by Davina McCall for a television programme that traces the participants' lineage. Ruby was abandoned at a church on Ruby Road, hence her name, and hopes to find her birth parents. Following the interview Ruby and Davina begin experiencing bad luck wherever they go. The Fifteenth Doctor arrives and starts to investigate.

Carla receives a new foster baby named Lulubelle, and celebrates the occasion with a photo she hangs on her fridge alongside photos of her other foster children. While Carla steps out, Lulubelle is kidnapped by goblins. Ruby chases after them on to the roof, where she is joined by the Doctor. With the aid of a pair of intelligent gloves that can bear a much greater weight than the user, they climb on to the goblins' flying ship. The Doctor realises the goblins are otherworldly beings who feed on coincidence and accidents, and travel through time to find babies to eat.

The Doctor and Ruby watch as the goblins sing about eating babies, culminating in the King Goblin trying to eat Lulubelle. The pair manage to rescue Lulubelle and escape, returning to Carla's flat. A storm causes a giant crack to appear in the ceiling and Ruby disappears. The Doctor sees Carla change into a different person who has only fostered a few children, resents her mother, and is only concerned with money; Carla and Cherry have no recollection of Ruby. Realising that the goblins went back in time to kill Ruby when she was a baby, the Doctor pursues them.

The Doctor arrives in the past and witnesses the goblins taking Ruby away. Using the gloves, he pulls the ship onto the church's steeple, impaling the King Goblin and causing the ship to disappear. The Doctor leaves Ruby on the church's doorstep to ensure the parson finds her, and sees a woman walking off into the night. The Doctor returns to the present, where he finds everything returning to how it was before, and informs Ruby about what has transpired. He briefly departs in the TARDIS to rescue Davina from being killed by the goblins, then reluctantly decides to leave Ruby behind. Ruby, however, follows him and steps into the TARDIS.

After the Doctor and Ruby depart, Ruby's neighbour, Mrs Flood, breaks the fourth wall by looking at the camera and saying, "Never seen a TARDIS before?"

Production

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Behind the scenes compilation of filming.
 
Gatwa wearing his leather coat

Development

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In November 2022, Davies was quoted in Doctor Who Magazine as having written a further special episode outside of the 60th anniversary specials.[2][3] It is the first Doctor Who Christmas special since "Twice Upon a Time" (2017) after the programme temporarily transitioned New Year's specials from 2018 to 2022 under the preceding showrunner Chris Chibnall.[4] Davies also said that when creating the goblins he wanted to lean more into the supernatural and unexplainable side of Doctor Who the programme was not able to previously explore.[5] The read through for the episode took place on 12 January 2023.[6] The unnamed television programme Ruby appears on was inspired by Long Lost Family, which is also hosted by McCall. The Long Lost Family production team assisted in its depiction in "The Church on Ruby Road".[7]

When designing the goblin band's outfits, costume designer Pam Downe ensured that each goblin had their own "complete personality and specific look", rather than having "generic" appearances.[8] Orchestral recordings for the episode took place at the Wales Millennium Centre in January 2023 with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Murray Gold cited Aladdin as inspiration when composing music for "The Goblin Song".[5] The scene involving the Doctor rescuing Ruby from a giant snowman, followed by him telling a policeman that his girlfriend will say "yes" to his proposal, was the last scene to be added. Disney tested the episode and asked Russell T Davies to add an extra scene in the beginning so that the Doctor could be introduced sooner. Davies felt positive about the decision adding, "who doesn't want to see Ncuti?"[9] The episode's title and official airdate was announced via a Disney+ press release on 5 November 2023.[10]

Filming

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St Mary's Church in Nash, Newport was used as the titular church on Ruby Road.

"The Church on Ruby Road" was directed by Mark Tonderai who previously directed the eleventh series episodes "The Ghost Monument" and "Rosa" (both 2018). It was filmed along with the fourteenth series in the series' stand-alone second production block. The episode was also the third of the fourteenth series to be filmed, following the series' fifth episode, "Dot and Bubble", and preceding the series premiere, "Space Babies".[11][12] Filming on the goblin ship set occurred on 20 February 2023. Only 12–15 extras were used as goblins for those scenes. It took five people to control the King Goblin prop during filming. The production team continuously changed their outfits and relocated them around the set to make the number appear larger.[5][6] Scenes at the church were filmed on 14 and 15 January at St Mary's Church in Nash, Newport.[5][6][13] Additional filming there also took place from 14 February. Soap foam and paper was used to create fake snow for this scene. The top of the church's steeple was replicated on a soundstage at Wolf Studios Wales. "The Goblin Song" was filmed on a green screen on 3 March 2023.[5][6]

Casting

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On 8 May 2022, Ncuti Gatwa was announced as Jodie Whittaker's successor as the programme's lead, and many reports, including that of the BBC itself stated he would play the Fourteenth Doctor and that Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor would regenerate into an incarnation portrayed by Gatwa.[14][15] Later clarification announced that Gatwa would actually portray the Fifteenth Doctor, with the Fourteenth portrayed by David Tennant for the 2023 specials.[16] Auditions for the next companion took place on 24 September 2022.[17] On 18 November 2022, during Children in Need, Millie Gibson was announced as the new companion Ruby Sunday.[18]

On 30 November 2023, it was announced that Davina McCall would be cast as herself in the special, and that Michelle Greenidge, Angela Wynter, and Anita Dobson had been cast as Carla, Ruby Sunday's mother; Cherry, Ruby Sunday's grandmother; and Mrs Flood respectively.[19] Susan Twist appears uncredited as a heckler at Ruby's band's concert, after appearing as Mrs Merridew in "Wild Blue Yonder" (2023). Her return appearance caused fans to speculate that she would appear again in future episodes.[1]

Broadcast and reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer)100%[20]
Rotten Tomatoes (Average Score)8.1/10[20]
Review scores
SourceRating
Empire     [21]
The Daily Telegraph     [22]
The Guardian     [23]
The Independent     [24]

Broadcast

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An early premiere screening occurred on 12 December 2023 in London.[25] "The Church on Ruby Road" was broadcast on BBC One on 25 December 2023.[10] Disney+ released the episode simultaneously in the United States and also handled international distribution of the episode.[26]

Ratings

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The episode received overnight ratings of 4.73 million viewers, making it the third most watched programme of Christmas Day, behind King Charles's annual Christmas speech and Strictly Come Dancing, as well as the most watched drama programme of the day.[27][28] The consolidated ratings figures for the episode were 7.49 million viewers, making it the 3rd most watched programme across all UK television channels for the entire week, and the episode received an Appreciation Index score of 82.[29]

Critical reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 27 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8/10. The website's consensus reads: "A welcome sugar rush of festive adventure, 'The Church of Ruby Road' sees Ncuti Gatwa's tenure as the Doctor off to a merry start."[20]

In a positive review for The Guardian, Martin Belam said of Ncuti Gatwa's performance: "Whether representing the gin-and-tonic division of health and safety, bounding across roofs, showing off his mavity gloves, or telling a policeman his fiancée would say yes, Gatwa oozed charm. But when needed, he turned on the seriousness like a tap, looked mortally wounded at time travel being taken lightly, and totally owned the episode."[30] In a more critical review for the same newspaper, television critic Leila Latif expressed concern over the episode's over-reliance on the sonic screwdriver, but stated that "[A] delightful new era captained by Davies and Gatwa seems certain."[31]

Ruby Sunday was also positively received by critics. Empire's Jordan King praised the character's dynamics with Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor, and commented that "there's more than enough in Gibson's performance to suggest far greater depths yet for her to explore with the character."[32]

In a more mixed review for the Daily Telegraph, Benji Wilson felt the special to be a "muddled story that flew off in all directions". He criticised the design of the goblins and the king as "knockoffs" to the Gremlins and the "bizarre" song. He concluded the special to be "flailed and dithered", but praised Gatwa's and Gibson's performances.[22] Lacy Baugher praised the performances of the leads but was dubious "about reframing the Timeless Child arc as a plain adoption story" and called the goblins not to be "particularly interesting" as villains.[33] Simon Brew praised the performances and the goblins, though felt their presence was "eventually disposed of pretty quickly".[34] Tim Robins offered a mixed review, criticising aspects of the story and plot issues.[35] Chris Allcock has mixed views on the episode. He questions the Doctor's killing the goblin king, believing it to be "out of character". Allcock also criticises the Goblins as villains, noting that their hostility and motives are never explained.[36] Julie River criticized the goblins for stereotyping antisemitic references to Jews, though felt that Davies would not "knowingly contribute to a harmful trope".[37]

Home media

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The Church on Ruby Road
AuthorEsmie Jikiemi-Pearson
SeriesDoctor Who book:
Target novelisations
PublisherBBC Books
Publication date
25 January 2024
Pages160
ISBN9781785948695

"The Church on Ruby Road" was released individually on home media on 12 February 2024.[38]

In print

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See also: List of Doctor Who novelisations

A novelisation of the episode, written by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, was released in hardback and audiobook on 25 January 2024 as part of the Target Collection.[39][40]

References

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  1. ^ a b Griffin, Louise (11 May 2024). "Who is Susan Twist's character in Doctor Who? All the theories". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  2. ^ Davies, Russell T (December 2022). "Letter from the Showrunner". Doctor Who Magazine (584): 11.
  3. ^ Laford, Andrea (5 December 2022). "Doctor Who filming begins with new director". CultBox. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  4. ^ Hibbs, James (6 November 2023). "Disney Plus reveals Doctor Who 2023 Christmas special release date and title". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e Behind the Scenes – The Church on Ruby Road – Doctor Who (Behind the scenes featurette). BBC. 25 December 2024. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d "The Church on Ruby Road". Doctor Who: Unleashed. 25 December 2023. BBC Three. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  7. ^ Bingham, Chezelle (28 December 2023). "Doctor Who's Davina McCall breaks down scenes inspired by Long Lost Family". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  8. ^ Quinn, Jason (29 February 2024). "Time Lord Style: Dedicated Follower of Fashion". Doctor Who Magazine 601. Panini UK: 25–29.
  9. ^ Anderson, Jenna (27 December 2023). "Doctor Who Showrunner Reveals How Disney+ Influenced This Year's Holiday Episode". Comic Book. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  10. ^ a b Laford, Andrea (6 November 2023). "Doctor Who Christmas special air date and title revealed". CultBox. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  11. ^ Laford, Andrea (22 December 2022). "Doctor Who Series 14: returning director discovered". CultBox. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  12. ^ Laford, Andrea (16 January 2023). "Doctor Who filming with Aneurin Barnard at Cardiff City Stadium". CultBox. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  13. ^ Laford, Andrea (16 February 2023). "Doctor Who filming in churchyard in Newport". Cultbox. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  14. ^ Fullerton, Huw; Knight, Lewis (8 May 2022). "Ncuti Gatwa announced as the next Doctor in Doctor Who". Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  15. ^ "Ncuti Gatwa is the Doctor". Doctor Who TV. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  16. ^ Kilbane, Aoife (23 October 2022). "Doctor Who: Here they come..." BBC Media Centre. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  17. ^ Jones, Rebecca (18 November 2022). "Coronation Street star confirmed as new Doctor Who companion". Express.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Millie Gibson is the new Doctor Who companion, Ruby Sunday | Doctor Who". Doctor Who TV. Archived from the original on 18 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  19. ^ "Doctor Who lands on Christmas Day 2023 with 'The Church on Ruby Road'". Doctor Who. 30 November 2023. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  20. ^ a b c "Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  21. ^ King, Jordan (22 December 2023). "Doctor Who: The Church On Ruby Road". Empire. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  22. ^ a b Wilson, Benji (25 December 2023). "Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road, review: Ncuti Gatwa rescues a poor-plotted Christmas special". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  23. ^ Latif, Leila (25 December 2023). "Doctor Who Christmas special review – Ncuti Gatwa is so charismatic you want to leap into the TV with him". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 June 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  24. ^ Power, Ed (26 December 2023). "Charismatic Ncuti Gatwa knocks it out of the park in the Doctor Who Christmas Special". The Independent. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  25. ^ "Doctor Who turns the London Eye blue for world premiere". BBC Media Centre. 12 December 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  26. ^ Edwards, Richard (25 December 2023). "How to watch 'Doctor Who' Christmas special: Stream 'The Church on Ruby Road' from anywhere". Space.com. Archived from the original on 5 June 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  27. ^ "Coronation Street drops out of Christmas TV top 10". BBC News. 26 December 2023. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  28. ^ "BBC sweeps the board with nine of the top ten shows on Christmas Day in 2023". www.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  29. ^ "The Church on Ruby Road – Official Ratings". Doctor Who News. 9 January 2024. Archived from the original on 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  30. ^ Belam, Martin (25 December 2023). "Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road – 2023 Christmas special recap". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  31. ^ Latif, Leila (25 December 2023). "Doctor Who Christmas special review – Ncuti Gatwa is so charismatic you want to leap into the TV with him". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 June 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  32. ^ King, Jordan (25 December 2023). "Doctor Who: The Church On Ruby Road Review". Empire. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  33. ^ ""The Church on Ruby Road" Is a Joyful New Beginning for 'Doctor Who'". tellyvisions.org. 25 December 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  34. ^ Brew, Simon (25 December 2023). "Doctor Who, The Church On Ruby Road review (spoilers)". Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  35. ^ Robins, Tim. "In Review: Doctor Who Christmas Special – The Church on Ruby Road". DownTheTubes (29 December 2023).
  36. ^ "Doctor Who Christmas Special: The Church on Ruby Road Review". 25 December 2023.
  37. ^ "TV Review: 'Doctor Who' Christmas Special "The Church on Ruby Road" is Fun, but Has Questionable Villains". 27 December 2023.
  38. ^ Laford, Andrea (25 January 2024). "Doctor Who 'The Church on Ruby Road' Blu-ray/DVD gets release date". CultBox. Archived from the original on 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  39. ^ "BBC Books to publish novelisation of 'The Church on Ruby Road'". Doctor Who. 14 December 2023. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  40. ^ Jikiemi-Pearson, Esmie. "Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road". Penguin.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
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