Doctor Who series 9: Filming begins in Cardiff as Game of Thrones actor Paul Kaye guest stars

The episode currently underway sees the return of Doctor Who scriptwriter Toby Whithouse

Doctor Who series 9 has begun filming in Cardiff (BBC)

Filming has begun on the ninth series of Doctor Who in Cardiff, the BBC has confirmed.

Series nine will see the return of screenwriter Toby Whithouse, whose two-part episode is currently being filmed.

The writer has previously penned a number of Doctor Who episodes, including “School Reunion” in 2006 that saw the return of the Doctor's companion Sarah Jane Smith.

Game of Thrones star Paul Kaye will also join the cast for the two-part special.

The comedian and actor who plays Thoros of Myr in the third series of HBO’s award-winning drama is also well-known for voicing Vincent the fox in BBC comedy Mongrels.

Kaye said he loved “every minute” of being on set, describing his five hours in make-up as “the best 50th birthday present ever!”

The actor said he has been a fan of the show since he was a child.

“As a kid of the Seventies, the two shows you always watched were Top of the Pops and Doctor Who, they were unmissable.

"I actually wrote a song called ‘Looking for Davros’ in my first punk band and I sang it like a demented Dalek. I got to present TOTP back in the mid ‘90’s and landing this role in Doctor Who completes the dream double,” he said.

Morven Christie, who has appeared in Grantchester, Death in Paradise and Twenty Twelve, will also star in the episode alongside Arsher Ali, who portrayed journalist Malik Suri in The Missing.

Further guest cast members due to join Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman will be announced in the coming months.

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