'Game Of Thrones' Star To Appear In 'Doctor Who'

31 March 2015 | 5:11 pm | Staff Writer

Maisie Williams steps aboard the TARDIS when the Doctor returns for season nine

Young fan-favourite Game Of Thrones cast member Maisie Williams — better known as her feisty Westeros-based counterpart Arya Stark in HBO's massively popular fantasy series — has been announced as a guest star for the forthcoming ninth season of revived BBC series Doctor Who.

The show's crew broke the news on social media late last night (AEST), replete with picture of Williams standing cross-armed on the bridge of the TARDIS, though finer details as to her role and its relativity to the adventures of the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) and companion Clara (Jenna Coleman) have not yet been divulged.

"We're thrilled to have Maisie Williams joining us on Doctor Who," showrunner Steven Moffat said of the signing in a statement. "It's not possible to say too much about who or what she's playing, but she is going to challenge the Doctor in very unexpected ways.

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"This time, he might just be out of his depth, and we know Maisie is going to give him exactly the right sort of hell."

Doctor Who recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its revival, only a few months after the commemoration of its 50th anniversary since inception, making it a rare breed indeed when it comes to shows that speak to transgenerational audiences — and Williams herself is no exception.

"I'm so excited to be working on Doctor Who as it's such a big and important part of British culture," Williams said. "I can't wait to meet the cast and crew and start filming, especially as we'll be shooting not too far from my home town.

Additional guest stars for the series' ninth revived season include actor/comedian Rufus Hound, Tom Stourton, Ariyon Bakare, Simon Lipkin, Ian Conningham, Murray McArthur, Barnaby Kay, John Voce and Struan Rodger.

Production is currently under way on two "period adventures" for season nine — The Girl Who Died (written by Jamie Mathieson and Moffat) and The Woman Who Lived (written by Catherine Tregenna). Ed Bazalgette (Poldark) will direct. Doctor Who will return in September or so, to coincide with British autumn.