MARK GATISS has appeared to confirm that he’s among the line-up of writers for Doctor Who’s upcoming tenth season.

The actor and scriptwriter, who first wrote for the programme in 2005, has long been a part of the Doctor Who family, having written a number of instalments and appeared in two episodes as minor characters.

Whilst talking about the first episode he ever wrote for the show, he let slip to WhoSFX that he’s currently working on one for the upcoming series, saying: “It seems so natural now (as I write my ninth episode – ten if you count the un-produced one!) but the forty five minute format took some getting used to.”

The new run is scheduled to begin filming in July, but won’t be on air until 2017, save for the usual Christmas special.

Pearl Mackie was recently unveiled as the replacement for Jenna Coleman as the Time Lord’s companion; winning her most high-profile screen role to date after impressing critics on the West End stage.
Peter Capaldi is also back as the titular icon, although he has remained coy on whether or not he will exit at the end of the next cycle.

It was reported last week by outgoing show runner Steven Moffat that a black actor had previously been offered the part, although he did not disclose who.

However, Radio Times claimed to have heard from show sources that the identity of the performer was Chiwetel Ejiofor, who was allegedly being lined-up to take over from David Tennant.

When a contract could not be reached, Matt Smith was ultimately cast instead.
Meanwhile, former companion Coleman is set to appear as Queen Victoria in a major new ITV drama later this year.

Doctor Who returns to BBC One at Christmas.