Alex Kingston is reprising her role as Professor River Song for this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special.
The character first appeared alongside David Tennant’s Doctor in 2008 and went on to appear in 14 episodes with Matt Smith. Her appearance in the Christmas episode will mark her first encounter with Peter Capaldi’s Doctor.
Kingston commented: “To be honest, I did not know whether River would ever return to the show, but here she is, back with the Doctor for the Christmas special.
“Steven Moffat is on glittering form, giving us an episode filled with humor and surprise guest castings. I met Peter for the first time at Monday’s read through.
“We had a laugh, and I am now excited and ready to start filming with him and the Doctor Who team. Christmas in September?, why not!”
Steven Moffat, Lead Writer and Executive Producer adds: “Another Christmas, another special for Doctor Who – and what could be more special than the return of Alex Kingston as Professor River Song?
“The last time the Doctor saw her, she was a ghost. The first time he met her, she died. So how can he be seeing her again? As ever, with the most complicated relationship in the universe, it’s a matter of time…”