Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa was spotted in Cardiff as filming for the popular sci-fi series took place at a pub and nightclub. The Golden Cross pub in the city centre announced on its social media pages on Wednesday, February 8, that it would be closed for two days while the BBC filmed in the pub.
"Sorry, we can’t say what’s being filmed for confidentiality reasons," the pub's post read. A picture of the pub's windows covered up with black material accompanied the post.
But eagle-eyed Whovians spotted a tell-tale neon 'TB LOC' sign nearby - meaning 'The Bridge Location', which is reportedly a codename for Doctor Who - and flocked to the pub on Thursday, February 9, to get a glimpse of the action. One shared a picture of Christmas decorations visible through some of the exposed windows, while Nick, who runs fan account Doctor Who Filming Locations (@set_dw) on Twitter, told WalesOnline extras were dressed in Christmas jumpers.
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The festive clues have led fans to believe filming is taking place for this year's Doctor Who Christmas special. They snapped pictures of Gatwa himself - and some even managed to get quick a video of him waving at them through the window of a car as it drove past the pub.
Another filming sign was spotted near Pryzm nightclub on Greyfriars Road, and Nick said he spotted lots of extras dressed up for a night out. Gatwa stopped by to take photos with fans and sign autographs.
Nick was one of the lucky enthusiasts who got a selfie with the star after filming had wrapped up outside Pryzm. He said: "Given that it's normally so hard to even get close to actors on set, the fact he came over to us was lovely. He signed my notepad, took a selfie and also stuck around long enough to have a quick chat. He is a genuinely lovely man, with a contagious smile and Doctor Who has a wonderful new ambassador.
"Unfortunately both of these two locations from Thursday was interior only, so there wasn't much for the onlooker to see. But yes, they were filming the 2023 Christmas special, and the pub was decorated with Christmas decorations and the extras were all in Christmas jumpers etc. Pryzm was inside on what looked to be the top floor, which is the disco and main dance room. Lots of night out dressed extras for that."
Meanwhile, fans have also speculated online whether filming for this year's Christmas special will also take place in Newport. One user, @ssophuss, shared a photo of a notice by Bad Wolf, the production company behind Doctor Who, that said St Mary's Church in Nash and its graveyard would be closed for filming from Thursday, February 9, until Monday, February 20.
"As part of this, the graveyard and graves will be covered with non-hazardous, fake snow. This will be done as sensitively as possible and the snow will be removed following the filming." The user shared pictures of white sheeting in the graveyard and machinery for the production nearby.
Newport City Council's website also confirmed that the road where the church is located, would be closed for filming from February 14 to 16, and George Street Bridge and part of Lower Dock Street would also be closed for filming on February 15 from 10pm to 6am.
It comes as Gatwa, who has a leading role in Sex Education, quit the series ahead of his Dr Who debut. In the comedy-drama series, he plays beloved character Eric Effiong and has appeared in every season since the show began in 2019.
Last year, it was confirmed that Gatwa had been cast as the Fifteenth Time Lord in Doctor Who. He is currently filming the new series and will hit our screens following a series of 60th anniversary specials that will see David Tennant return as the 14th Doctor. You can read more about that here.
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