The two-episode story, which is to be written by series executive producer Russell T Davies, is set to air on CBBC this autumn with the BBC promising “an alien-busting adventure that will entertain Doctor Who fans of all ages.”
Last year David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor appeared in the series which was created after Sladen reprised her role of 70’s companion Sarah Jane Smith in the second series of the revived Doctor Who.
Sladen has described the script for the upcoming adventure as “fantastic”, adding: “I can’t wait to work with another Doctor and hope Matt has fun with us. I’ve known Katy for ages and I am delighted to be working with her. I last met her in LA but this time we will be in Cardiff. LA was good but Cardiff is better.”
Manning, who recently returned to live in the UK again, said: “Playing Jo Grant again is something I never really considered. I was gob-smacked when they told me and I am over the moon. What an incredible little treat. I come home and this is one of the first things that happens.”
Nikki Wilson, executive producer of the Sarah Jane Adventures, said the production team were “absolutely thrilled to be introducing Sarah Jane and the gang to both The Eleventh Doctor and Jo Grant”, describing the involvement of Davies as ” the icing on the cake!”
“Viewers are in for a real treat, with an action-packed story full of Russell’s usual wit and warmth, which takes the gang inside a secret base beneath Snowdon and introduces brand-new vulture aliens, the mysterious Shansheeth. All this, plus a trip to an alien planet – a first for The Sarah Jane Adventures.”