The "Doctor Who" Christmas special in 2016 is part of a Steven Moffat tradition that features buffer episode before the new season kicks in and this year's special will have a Superman-like villain. Moreover, Moffat may be transferring the showrunner baton to Chris Chibnall after facing backlash from fans who were upset with the "Doctor Who" season 10 delay because of Moffat's prior commitments to another show.

The "Doctor Who" Christmas special 2016 will have Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor facing off a masked villain named Grant. In the San Diego Comic Con, a trailer was revealed showing a superman-like villain, which may have been inspired by head writer Moffat's love for superheroes especially Clark Kent.

Also featured in the "Doctor Who" Christmas special 2016 is the character named Nardole (Matt Lucas), who will serve as a companion to the doctor. It looks like the comedian will be joined by another newcomer, Pearl Mackie, who also plays as the doctor's companion. Mackie plays the funny but geeky Bill Potts who has a knack of asking cheeky questions without reservation.

With Lucas and Mackie onboard, the "Doctor Who" Christmas special 2016 will have its share of funny moments even as Capaldi tackles on another villain played by German actor Aleksandar Jovanovic according to TV Line. Capaldi himself has committed to another season though rumors say that the actor might be following the exiting footsteps of Moffat as he passes on the job of showrunner to Chibnall of "Shameless."

However, Moffat and Capaldi will still be staying on for the "Doctor Who" season 10 according to Digital Spy. Moffat's decision comes after facing fans' backlash for causing the delay of season 10.

Moffat's other commitments particularly to "Sherlock" starring Benedict Cumberbatch kept him from finishing the scripts for the "Doctor Who" season 10. Nonetheless, loyal viewers of the show will still see Moffat's writing at his finest, so good that it made co-writer Mark Gatiss cry, in the "Doctor Who" Christmas special 2016 airing on Dec. 25 on BBC and BBC America.