Doctor Who series 8: Michelle Gomez to play Gatekeeper of the Nethersphere

Gomez will join Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman in the new series

Gomez said she is "thrilled" to join the cast (BBC )

Michelle Gomez is to join the cast of Doctor Who for the forthcoming eighth series.

The Scottish actress, known for her roles in Bad Education and Green Wing, will play the Gatekeeper of the Nethersphere when the programme returns on 23 August.

Gomez will join Peter Capaldi, the twelfth incarnation of the Doctor, and former Emmerdale actress Jenna Coleman, who plays the Doctor’s companion Clara Oswald.

Speaking about the role, Gomez said in a BBC statement: “Well of course Peter Capaldi is our next Doctor, which makes complete sense. I'm thrilled to join him. Well, you would be, wouldn't you?”

Lead writer and executive producer, Steven Moffat, said: “I've known Michelle for years, and I'm thrilled to welcome her to Doctor Who. She's everything we need - brilliant, Scottish, and a tiny bit satanic.”

Filming is currently underway for the new series, which will premiere on BBC One with a feature-length episode entitled "Deep Breath".

Capaldi takes over from Matt Smith, who played the Eleventh Doctor from 2010 until last year.

And fans can look forward to a host of guest stars, including Frank Skinner, Ben Miller, Tom Riley, Keeley Hawes and Hermione Norris.