In the states, just as much as other parts of the world, the Doctor Who Christmas special has become an honored tradition around the holidays. And the people behind the show always try to make it as special as possible. The first guest star for the 2015 Christmas special has finally been revealed, and it has fans aflutter this morning. Yes, Alex Kingston is set to return as River Song. BBC America confirmed the news earlier this morning, stating the following.

"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 traveller River Song meets her husband's new incarnation, in the form of Peter Capaldi, for the first time this Christmas."

Alex Kingston has appeared as River Song on fifteen episodes of Doctor Who throughout the various seasons. She made her first Doctor Who appearance in 2008 in the two-part episode Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead. The as yet untitled 2015 Christmas special is set to premiere in the States on Friday, December 25th. Production is set to begin this week. Show vet Douglas Mackinnon is directing this awaited adventure. Best surprise of all, franchise overlord Steven Moffat is writing the script. About her return, Alex Kingston stated the following.

"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. 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!"

Steven Moffat has also had his hands full creating the Sherlock special for this year. But it seems Doctor Who may be his first true love. About creating something special for fans this year, he had this to say.

"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. 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."

This Christmas, it sounds like Doctor Who fans are in for a real treat. Are you as excited for the return of River Song as we are? It's never too early to set your DVRs! And always remember to leave some cookies and Scotch out for the Time Lord in case you fall asleep early and and miss his arrival. This will be a Merry Christmas, indeed! The witty line-up of guest cast joining River Song for a magical adventure on the TARDIS will be announced over the coming months. Doctor Who will premiere all-new episodes on Saturday, 19 September with a 12 episode series, followed by the Christmas special on Friday 25 December.