After the Doctor Who Season 8 finale aired last weekend, BBC debuted a brief mid-credits stinger showing Santa Claus, played by Nick Frost, proclaiming that the Time Lord (Peter Capaldi) and Clara (Jenna Coleman) are "not all right," in a tease of the upcoming 2014 Christmas Special. The first trailer for Doctor Who's annual Christmas Special has now arrived, giving us another brief look at Kris Kringle.

Unlike Christmas Specials from prior seasons, which have typically been stand-alone adventures, the stinger and this trailer reveal that the special may be connected to the Season 8 story, which could answer the lingering rumors that Jenna Coleman will be leaving Doctor Who after this season.

During an interview with InStyle, the actress didn't say whether or not she will return for Season 9, but she did offer a few tidbits about the Christmas Special's story.

"It's written in sections and it's about dreaming - what is real and what is not. Also Father Christmas is there - played by Nick Frost!"

Fans won't have too long to wait for their next glimpse at the Christmas Special, with BBC One announcing today that a sneak peak will debut on Friday night. Take a look at the trailer and new images from the special below.