'Doctor Who' air date, news: New Christmas special trailer released

Before its much-anticipated 10th season, "Doctor Who" is scheduled to return later this month for its annual Christmas special. As an early treat for fans, BBC America released a new trailer for the upcoming episode.

It has been a difficult year for "Doctor Who" fans who were deprived of any new adventures featuring the Doctor after the next season was pushed back to 2017. Fortunately, the network will be airing a Christmas special titled "The Return Of Doctor Mysterio." The story is set in New York as the Doctor gets involved with a masked superhero known as The Ghost ("Orphan Black" star Justin Chatwin), who is accidentally given new superpowers by the time lord.

In the new trailer, mind-altering aliens threaten to attack Manhattan, so the Doctor teams up with a reporter and The Ghost to save everyone. "I'm back," the Doctor announces as fans get a first glimpse of The Ghost who soars through the sky wearing a mask. It remains to be seen if his true identity will be revealed during the 60-minute special.

"Doctor Who" immediately gained a loyal cult following when it was released back in 1963. Capaldi recently caught up with The Sun, and he admitted that it's a bit tricky living up to the beloved character of The Doctor whenever he meets fans in real life.

"Some people do get very excited when they meet you and I feel vaguely confused by that because I don't think I'm very exciting – I get into a panic because I think I mustn't disappoint them," the veteran actor said. "Doctor Who is exciting, but I'm not. I don't know what to do. I can't be myself because that will disappoint them. Often people ask for hugs and I can feel them shaking. Sometimes people can't speak. I just hope that I give them a good time by talking to them," he went on to say.

The 10th season of "Doctor Who" premieres next year on BBC America.