Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has revealed that Rose Ayling-Ellis will be joining the cast for series two, in what he branded the show's 'scariest' episode yet.
The BBC favourite is returning to screens on Christmas Day with a one-off festive special, followed by a new series slated to air next year.
Speaking at a Q&A ahead of the upcoming Christmas Special, Russell confirmed that Rose will be making a guest appearance in an 'absolutely terrifying' episode.
He said: 'There is one thing, we finished an episode last Friday, I took it to show my sister, and she was literally on the edge of her seat. 'We've got a story with Rose- Ayling Ellis in the lead... she's the lead in one episode, which is stunning, isn’t it? I think it’s our scariest episode, it’s absolutely terrifying, but she’s magnificent, Ncuti with her and guest names in the cast are phenomenal. 'So there’s great episodes to come, a big range of episodes, mad ones, scary ones, completely mad ones, good stuff to come.'
The show is set to return for a new series in 2025, amid claims that star Ncuti Gatwa's future is already in doubt.
Despite a second series still due to air, it's thought that Disney are yet to officially greenlight a third, meaning fans could face a lengthy wait of up to two years between runs.
He added: 'We always want guest actors on Doctor Who to have fun, but Rose takes it to a whole new level. She storms in with an astonishing performance of terror, anger and bravery in one of the most frightening episodes we've ever made.'
Meanwhile, Rose said: 'I loved Doctor Who when I was growing up, so being cast in the show was a dream come true.
'My inner child is ecstatic with excitement! Working with Russell and filming alongside the talented cast and crew has been an incredible experience. Ncuti is a wonderful Doctor, and I can't wait for audiences to see what we have created together.'
Russell also confirmed that fans will get answers to the long-running mystery surrounding Anita Dobson's charater Mrs Flood, hinting there's plenty more of her character to come in 2025.
This year's festive edition of Doctor Who will see the titular Time Lord join forces with lonely traveller Joy, played by Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, after landing in the mysterious Time Hotel.
Steven Moffat has once again returned to pen the festive episode and star Ncuti shared that he previously crossed paths with Nicola as they both starred in the blockbuster Barbie.
Russell said: 'It was a straight offer; we read that part we said, ''Steven, what about Nicola?'' And you just hope and pray someone like that is free, but you kind of knew each other, didn't you Ncuti?'
Ncuti added: 'We were Barbie and Ken. But we never worked together on that film. But I've always been a huge fan of Nicola's work, and she worked with Alex [Sanjiv Pillai] quite a lot on Bridgerton, so there was that connection.
'But, what a talent and what a joy. It's hard to not go into that pun when talking about Nicola because she's just so full of light, and was just so up for everything.'
Rose, who was crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion in 2021, is set to appear in an episode from the show's second series, which Russell teased will be 'absolutely terrifying'.
This year's festive edition of Doctor Who will see the titular Time Lord join forces with lonely traveller Joy, played by Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, after landing in the mysterious Time Hotel.
Steven Moffat has once again returned to pen the festive episode and star Ncuti shared that he previously crossed paths with Nicola as they both starred in the blockbuster Barbie.
Russell said: 'It was a straight offer; we read that part we said, ''Steven, what about Nicola?'' And you just hope and pray someone like that is free; but you kind of knew each other, didn't you Ncuti?'
Ncuti added: 'We were Barbie and Ken. But we never worked together on that film. But I've always been a huge fan of Nicola's work; and she worked with Alex [Sanjiv Pillai] quite a lot on Bridgerton; so there was that connection.
'But what a talent and what a joy. It's hard to not go into that pun when talking about Nicola because she's just so full of light; and was just so up for everything.'
Rose said: 'I loved Doctor Who when I was growing up; so being cast in the show was a dream come true'
Russell also confirmed that fans will get answers to the long-running mystery surrounding Anita Dobson's charater Mrs Flood (pictured with Steven Moffat)
Steven has once again returned to pen the festive episode and star Ncuti shared that he previously crossed paths with Nicola Coughlan as they both starred in the blockbuster Barbie
Rose, who was crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion in 2021, is set to appear in an episode from the show's second series, which Russell teased will be 'absolutely terrifying'
This year's festive edition of Doctor Who will see the titular Time Lord join forces with lonely traveller Joy, played by Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, after landing in the mysterious Time Hotel.
Steven Moffat has once again returned to pen the festive episode and star Ncuti shared that he previously crossed paths with Nicola as they both starred in the blockbuster Barbie.
Russell said: 'It was a straight offer; we read that part we said, ''Steven, what about Nicola?'' And you just hope and pray someone like that is free; but you kind of knew each other, didn't you Ncuti?'
Ncuti added: 'We were Barbie and Ken. But we never worked together on that film. But I’ve always been a huge fan of Nicola’s work; and she worked with Alex [Sanjiv Pillai] quite a lot on Bridgerton; so there was that connection.
'But what a talent and what a joy. It’s hard to not go into that pun when talking about Nicola because she’s just so full of light; and was just so up for everything.'
Rose, who was crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion in 2021, is set to appear in an episode from the show's second series, which Russell teased will be 'absolutely terrifying'.
This year's festive edition of Doctor Who will see the titular Time Lord join forces with lonely traveller Joy, played by Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, after landing in the mysterious Time Hotel.
Steven Moffat has once again returned to pen the festive episode and star Ncuti shared that he previously crossed paths with Nicola as they both starred in the blockbuster Barbie.
Russell said: 'It was a straight offer; we read that part we said, ''Steven, what about Nicola?'' And you just hope and pray someone like that is free; but you kind of knew each other, didn't you Ncuti?'
Ncuti added: 'We were Barbie and Ken. But we never worked together on that film. But I’ve always been a huge fan of Nicola’s work; and she worked with Alex [Sanjiv Pillai] quite a lot on Bridgerton; so there was that connection.
‘But what a talent and what a joy. It’s hard to not go into that pun when talking about Nicola because she’s just so full of light; and was just so up for everything.’
Rose, who was crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion in 2021, is set to appear in an episode from the show's second series, which Russell teased will be 'absolutely terrifying'.
This year's festive edition of Doctor Who will see the titular Time Lord join forces with lonely traveller Joy, played by Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, after landing in the mysterious Time Hotel.
Steven Moffat has once again returned to pen the festive episode and star Ncuti shared that he previously crossed paths with Nicola as they both starred in the blockbuster Barbie.
Doubts have been cast around Doctor Who's future in recent months, with questions raised about whether star Ncuti Gatwa will return for a third series.
The future of the hit sci-fi show may not be so secure after it was revealed that there will be a gap of at least two years following the second outing of the star as the titular character next year.
The extended wait may mean the Scottish actor might not return at all according to The Mirror.
Insiders have told the publication that eyebrows were raised about the show after a mysterious edit was made to Graham Norton's BBC One chat show.
Russell previously said 'no decision' had been made yet for the line-up of series three in July.
Appearing at Comic Con in San Diego alongside Ncuti and Millie Gibson, the screenwriter spoke about what was in store for the science fiction show.
Russell admitted decisions about who would star in series three haven't been made yet as they are still in the middle of filming the second season.
The screenwriter said: 'We've shot season two; but that's only halfway through. We've got all those months of post to come. It's a long way off; so no decisions yet.'
Meanwhile, Millie Gibson, 20, who plays Ruby Sunday, will reportedly only make a fleeting appearance in the next series - despite joining Ncuti and Russell at Comic Con.
She will be replaced by Varada Sethu, 32, who has already been spotted filming alongside Ncuti for the latest dramatic run of episodes.
Doctor Who's festive special airs on Christmas Day at 5:10pm on BBC One and iPlayer. The show is available on Disney+ internationally.