Three years ago on Community, Matt Lucas played misguided fan of Inspector Spacetime, a very thinly veiled parody of Doctor Who. Now, Lucas is joining the actual Doctor Who TV series for its upcoming tenth season!
BBC made the announcement earlier this morning that Lucas will reprise his role as Nardole from last year’s Doctor Who Christmas special. That should be an interesting trick considering that Nardole was last seen as a severed head that was joined to the giant robot body of the late King Hydroflax.
“I’m chuffed to bits that Nardole is returning to the TARDIS for some more adventures,” said Lucas in a brief statement released by BBC. “I loved acting with Peter [Capaldi] and I’m excited to work with Pearl [Mackie].” For anyone who might have forgotten, Pearl Mackie is playing the Doctor’s new companion, Bill. It’s not clear how Nardole will be used in the series, but Lucas is slated to appear in multiple episodes.
Related: Pearl Mackie Is The New ‘Doctor Who’ Companion
“Delighted and slightly amazed to be welcoming Matt Lucas back on to the TARDIS – and this time it’s not just for Christmas, he’s sticking around,” related showrunner and executive producer Steven Moffat. “One of the greatest comedy talents on planet Earth is being unleashed on all of time and space.” The announcement was presumably made this week because production of the tenth season will begin next week, and Lucas’ presence would have been easily spoiled.
It was also announced that Stephanie Hyam will guest star in Doctor Who season 10 in an unspecified role. Her previous credits include Jekyll & Hyde, Peaky Blinders, Murdered by My Boyfriend, and Sherlock.
The tenth season of the Doctor Who revival will also be the final season for Moffat. It’s currently unknown if Capaldi, Mackie, or Lucas plan to stay on the show after Moffat’s departure. Doctor Who season 10 will premiere in 2017, but there will also be a Christmas special later this year.
