BBC America has issued a press release about Doctor Who in 2013 that has us completely excited. Yes indeed, author par excellence Neil Gaiman‘s second episode for Doctor Who (his first was “The Doctor’s Wife”; that’s Gaiman in a promo shot from that episode, below) will be about Cybermen. Cool! We can’t wait to see what that amazing man will do with those somewhat clunky evil enemies of The Doctor.

But the press release could be read as meaning that the episode will kick off the second half of the season, OR that it will simply air during the season. We’d like it first, please, but will honestly take it whenever it is offered, and are thrilled that it is promised during Spring 2013. There will be some great guest stars in the episode as well, and we love off-planet settings, so it will obviously be fantastic.

There is one additional piece of news, however, that is included in the press release almost as an afterthought, but we are thrilled with the confirmation: “Doctor Who returns to BBC AMERICA on December 25 for the Christmas Special…” ON DECEMBER 25. WOO HOO! We had presumed, but now it’s confirmed: for the third year in a row, we will actually get the Doctor Who Christmas Special ON DECEMBER 25 like our friends in the UK. Our Christmas = Made.

Here’s that press release:

BBC AMERICA CONFIRMS CYBERMEN AND STELLAR CAST FOR DOCTOR WHO IN 2013

BBC AMERICA confirms that the Cybermen will be menacing the universe once again when Doctor Who returns for a run of eight epic episodes in spring, 2013. The iconic enemies will be featured in an adventure directed by Stephen Woolfenden and written by the acclaimed Neil Gaiman whose previous Doctor Who episode, “The Doctor’s Wife,” garnered a Hugo Award.

Starring Matt Smith as the Doctor and Jenna-Louise Coleman as the new companion, the episode co-stars Warwick Davis (Life’s Too Short, Harry Potter), Tamzin Outhwaite (EastEnders, Law & Order: UK) and Jason Watkins (Being Human, Twenty Twelve) as a band of misfits on a mysterious planet…

Steven Moffat, Lead Writer and Executive Producer, told us, “Cybermen were always the monsters that scared me the most! Not just because they were an awesome military force, but because sometimes they could be sleek and silver and right behind you without you even knowing.” He added, “And with one of the all-time classic monsters returning, and a script from one of our finest novelists, it’s no surprise we have attracted such stellar names as Tamzin, Jason and Warwick.”

The Cybermen last appeared in 2011’s “Closing Time,” but debuted in 1966 opposite William Hartnell’s Doctor in the classic “The Tenth Planet.” Over the years they have proven constant in their attempts to terrorize the Time Lord, invade our planet and destroy humanity… Secrecy surrounds all future adventures but we can’t wait to find out more about the Cybermen’s latest deadly gambit.

Doctor Who returns to BBC AMERICA on December 25 for the Christmas Special and is back for a run of eight episodes in spring, 2013.

Or, as we say here on SciFi Mafia:

Doctor Who, starring Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman, returns for a new Christmas Special on December 25, and for the second half of Season 7 in Spring, 2013, on BBC America.