We’ve got a release date and a teaser, but we also know from the lack of Comic-Con panel that Doctor Who is still filming Series 8, which will consist of 12 straight weeks of episodes. They’re getting down to the wire, though; filming is commencing on the finale which is being directed by Rachel Talalay from a script by our man Steven Moffat. Now, we have our first glimpse of a new character from this episode.

Scottish actress Michelle Gomez of Bad Education and Green Wing is joining the impressive list of guest stars as a character called the Gatekeeper of the Nethersphere. I imagine this means the Doctor will want to go through the gate to the Netherspehere but she’s all “nuh-uh, Doctor,” or something of that nature.

From the press release:

Speaking about the role, Michelle Gomez said: “Well of course Peter Capaldi is our next Doctor, which makes complete sense. I’m thrilled to join him. Well, you would be wouldn’t you?”

Lead writer and executive producer, Steven Moffat, added “I’ve known Michelle for years, and I’m thrilled to welcome her to Doctor Who. She’s everything we need – brilliant, Scottish, and a tiny bit satanic.”

While it’s always interesting when guest cast members get announced, I’m more intrigued by the Doctor Who website‘s assertion that the foes for these episodes will be… the Cybermen! Perhaps with Moffat writing, it’ll be a better appearance than their last one, which I think left a lot of fans, not unlike their steely hearts, a bit cold.

Doctor Who returns August 23rd at 8/7c on BBC America. On a scale from 1 to OH MY GOD I CAN’T HANDLE IT, how excited are you?

Image: BBC