Peter Capaldi stars in the “Doctor Who” Christmas special

Fans of the popular British television show "Doctor Who" have most likely been suffering from some program withdrawal after series 8 concluded in November. Thankfully, they'll be getting some relief as the out-of-this-world program gears up for its annual holiday special, airing Christmas Day on BBC America.

This year, the cherry-nosed, jolly old elf from the North Pole pays a visit to the good Doctor, but some critics are raising concerns over the show's portrayal of Father Christmas. Early previews of the Christmas-themed episode suggest a sneering divide between the time-traveling doctor (Peter Capaldi, "The Thick of It") and Saint Nicholas (Nick Frost, "Shaun of the Dead," 2004, "Spaced"), but showrunner Steve Moffat affirms that the special will portray Santa Claus just as he is: a true hero of the holidays.

"No, no, don't worry any parents who were worried about that," Moffat said about the upcoming episode, "Last Christmas," at the series 8 DVD launch in November. "Santa is presented, as he is in real life, as a great Christmas hero.

"He actually is the real Santa," Moffat continued, talking about the casting of Frost as the sleigh-riding gift-giver. "He's been faking it up until now. For the first time, he’s allowing the natural color of his beard to show through. You could figure it out, you know, Nick Frost, Nicholas Frost -- you see?"

As for Frost himself, the English actor and comedian couldn't be happier to ride the TARDIS. "I'm so thrilled to have been asked to guest in the 'Doctor Who' Christmas special, I'm such a fan of the show," he said in a news release. "The read-through was very difficult for me; I wanted to keep stuffing my fingers into my ears and scream 'No spoilers!' Every day on set, I've had to silence my internal fanboy squeals."

The special itself promises to be intriguing. In a teaser clip that undoubtedly raises more questions than answers, Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman, "Emmerdale") -- the Doctor's longtime companion -- comes face to face with the man in the big red suit, while it appears the Doctor and Santa have been acquainted in a previous time or realm.

Producers have been diligent so far in keeping plot details under wraps, but the festive episode will place the Doctor and his companion in a race against time when they find themselves trapped inside an Arctic base as green, slimy creatures attack them from all sides. Of course, this is where Santa steps in, as the duo calls on the big man for some help.

"Doctor Who" episode titles have often been used as a way to allude to what goes on in any given episode, and the Christmas special is no different. "Last Christmas" is especially cryptic since newspapers, entertainment websites and fan blogs have long been speculating that Coleman will depart the hit sci-fi program after this holiday chapter.

Nick Frost and Peter Capaldi as seen in the “Doctor Who” Christmas special

The actress has remained rather mum on the subject ahead of series 9, but U.K. tabloid newspaper "Daily Mirror" reported at the end of November that Oswald will return for at least the first half of the new series when it airs next fall. A BBC spokesperson, however, wouldn't confirm or deny the new rumors swirling around, instead encouraging people to tune in to the show to see what transpires.

"This is speculation, so we won't be commenting," the spokesperson told RadioTimes.com. "Viewers will have to watch the Christmas episode to find out!"

Capaldi, on the other hand, has confirmed his return as the Twelfth Doctor, and the manic Missy (Michelle Gomez, "The Acid House," 1998, "The Wedding Video," 2012) also looks like she'll be in the mix for series 9 after the stunning reveal in the series 8 finale.

Talk of series 9 is already heating up, and with filming slated to get underway in January, some other details have already emerged. For the first time since 2008, and for only the fourth time in "Doctor Who's" 50-year history on the small screen, a woman will be writing an episode for the sci-fi drama. British TV news and review website "Cultbox" first reported that Catherine Tregenna, who has written four episodes for the "Doctor Who" spinoff series "Torchwood," will be penning at least one episode for series 9.

The holiday season is always a joyous time, and for fans of cult classic "Doctor Who," that statement rings doubly true. After a series 8 that saw the "Whoniverse's" popularity skyrocket on BBC America -- with its first episode becoming the highest-rated season premiere ever on the network -- "Whovian" withdrawal is starting to set in. Thankfully, relief is on the horizon as the otherworldly program gears up for its annual holiday special, titled "Last Christmas," airing Christmas Day on BBC America.