River Song Returns: ‘Doctor Who' Bringing Back Alex Kingston for Christmas Special

"Doctor Who" is getting a blast from the past for its season nine Christmas special. Alex Kingston will return to the fray as River Song for the upcoming special episode, BBC America revealed. The episode is scheduled to premiere on Christmas Day on BBC America. This is the first time Kingston's River Song will meet the Doctor in his latest incarnation, played by Peter Capaldi.

The episode description from BBC America: "It's Christmas Day in the future and the TARDIS is parked on a snowy village street, covered in icicles, awaiting its next adventure. Time traveler River Song meets her husband's new incarnation, in the form of Peter Capaldi, for the first time this Christmas."

Filming is scheduled to start this week with Steven Moffat writing and Douglas Mackinnon directing.

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Kingston, a veteran of "ER" and "Arrow," made her first appearance on "Doctor Who" in 2008 and has appeared in 15 episodes. "To be honest, I did not know whether River would ever return to the show, but here she is, back with the Doctor for the Christmas special. Steven Moffat is on glittering form, giving us an episode filled with humor and surprise guest castings," Kingston said in a statement. "I met Peter for the first time at Monday's read-through, we had a laugh, and I am now excited and ready to start filming with him and the 'Doctor Who' team. Christmas in September? Why not!"

The rest of the Christmas special cast will be announced at a later date.

"Another Christmas, another special for 'Doctor Who'–and what could be more special than the return of Alex Kingston as Professor River Song. The last time the Doctor saw her she was a ghost," executive producer Moffat said in a statement. "The first time he met her, she died. So how can he be seeing her again? As ever, with the most complicated relationship in the universe, it's a matter of time..."

"Doctor Who" returns to BBC America on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 9 p.m. with a 12-episode season.

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