Fourth Series Of 'Doctor Who' Set To Launch

Sarah Lancashire, best known for roles in 'Coronation Street' and 'Clocking Off', is the guest star in the first episode of the new series of 'Doctor Who', which kicks off this weekend on BBC One.
Lancashire will guest star as Miss Foster, an enigmatic and powerful businesswoman in the first episode, which will be broadcast on April 5 at 6:20pm on BBC One.
The first episode of the eagerly awaited new series will witness Donna (Catherine Tate) determined to find the Doctor again - even if it means braving the villainous Miss Foster and her hordes of sinister Adipose.
Commenting on her role, Ms Lancashire said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be in Doctor Who. It's a brilliant episode and I'm looking forward to taking the Time Lord on."
Award-winning actress Catherine Tate is reprising her role as Donna, the runaway bride, and will star as the Doctor's companion throughout the new series alongside David Tennant as the Doctor.
The couple are destined to experience a series of wonderful adventures throughout the series, including meeting one of Doctor Who's most popular aliens, The Ood, in a brand new episode, 'Planet Of The Ood'.
Donna and the Doctor will also be travelling through time for an encounter with the legendary murder mystery novelist, Agatha Christie, and taking a trip to Pompeii.
Further guest stars already confirmed to appear in the new series include Felicity Kendal, Lesley Sharp, Georgia Moffett, Lindsey Coulson, Fenella Woolgar, Tim McInnerny, Peter Capaldi, Phil Davis and Tracey Childs.
Freema Agyeman, who played Martha Jones, the Doctor's companion in the critically acclaimed third series will return to the show to join the Doctor and Donna mid-series.
The producer of the show is Phil Collinson, while executive producers are Head of Drama at BBC Wales, Julie Gardner and Russell T Davies.
Doctor Who is filmed in Cardiff.
(KMcA/JM)