The actress will join Matt Smith’s Doctor following the departure of crrent companions Karen Gillan (Amy) and Arthur Darvill (Rory) in the next series.
She will also appear in ITV’s upcoming Titanic drama and has just finished filming on Stephen Poliakoff’s Dancing On The Edge for BBC Two.
Lead writer and Executive Producer, Steven Moffat, says: “It always seems impossible when you start casting these parts, but when we saw Matt and Jenna together, we knew we had our girl. She’s funny and clever and exactly mad enough to step on board the TARDIS.
“It’s not often the Doctor meets someone who can talk even faster than he does, but it’s about to happen. Jenna is going to lead him his merriest dance yet. And that’s all you’re getting for now. Who she’s playing, how the Doctor meets her, and even where he finds her, are all part of one of the biggest mysteries the Time Lord ever encounters. Even by the Doctor’s standards, this isn’t your usual boy meets girl.”
Commenting on her casting, Coleman said: “I’m beyond excited, I can’t wait to get cracking; working alongside Matt I know is going to be enormous fun and a huge adventure.”