Filming began on the 9th series of Doctor Who - its 35th run overall - on January 5, 2015 for a planned transmission in the autumn. Steven Moffat will serve as lead writer and executive producer for the fifth time.
Peter Capaldi will return for his second full series as the Doctor, while Jenna Coleman will be back for her third run of episodes as Clara Oswald.
Coleman was widely expected to be leaving the series in the 2014 Christmas special - and indeed had planned to exit - but later changed gears and signed a new contract.
Clara is confirmed to be appearing in the entirety of series 9: "She continues to complicate..." Moffat has said. "...and that relationship between the two of them is incredibly strong."
Details have so far emerged about 8 episodes, divided into 4 two-parters - though Moffat has noted that some of these dual episodes are "just linked" rather than adopting the traditional two-part format.
"It's not just two-parters - it's occasionally taking one strand and keeping it going," he explained. "There's two-parters where the episodes are quite different, two-parters that are quite traditional - just to change the rhythm of it."
Episodes 1 & 2 - 'The Magician's Apprentice' / 'The Witch's Familiar'
Written by Steven Moffat
Directed by Hettie McDonald
The opening two-parter of the series, though shot as part of the second production block.
'The Magician's Apprentice' / 'The Witch's Familiar' marks the return of 'Blink' director McDonald to Doctor Who - and will also bring back Michelle Gomez as Missy, not long after she was apparently vapourised by the Cyber-Brigadier in series 8 finale 'Death in Heaven'.
"I was thinking about the story of the first two-parter and she fits in there perfectly - she just fits," Moffat explained.
Jemma Redgrave - who first appeared as the Brigadier's daughter Kate Stewart in 2012 episode 'The Power of Three' - will also be back.
Episodes 3 & 4
Written by Toby Whithouse
Directed by Daniel O'Hara
Doctor Who series 9 begins filming in Cardiff
The first two episodes shot this year, this as-yet-untitled adventure marks the return of Being Human creator Whithouse to Doctor Who scripting duties - his first episode since 2012's 'A Town Called Mercy'.
He reteams with Being Human and The Game director O'Hara for what Moffat has described as "a brilliantly creepy two-parter" and "one of our scariest adventures yet".
Game of Thrones actor Paul Kaye will play a guest part, while additional cast includes The Missing's Arsher Ali, Morven Christie, Colin McFarlane, Sophie Stone, Zaqi Ismail, Steven Robertson and Neil Fingleton.
Episodes 5 & 6 - 'The Girl Who Died' / 'The Woman Who Lived'
Written by Jamie Mathieson & Steven Moffat, Catherine Tregenna
Directed by Ed Bazalgette
The first example of a non-traditional two-parter - these two linked instalments are penned by different writers, with Moffat and 'Flatline' scribe Mathieson working together on episode 5, and episode 6 penned solo by Torchwood's Tregenna.
In addition to introducing a new armoured monster to Doctor Who's rogues gallery, 'The Girl Who Died' / 'The Woman Who Lived' will also feature Maisie Williams as a character who "put[s] the Doctor to the test" and Rufus Hound, playing one Sam Swift.
These two episodes were shot together in one production block, but since they might only be loosely connected, it's unclear which cast members will appear in episode 5 and which will appear in 6 - or indeed, if the entire cast will appear in both.
Also confirmed to appear are Siblings actor Tom Stourton, Ariyon Bakare, Simon Lipkin, Ian Conningham, Murray McArthur, Barnaby Kay, John Voce and Struan Rodger.
Episodes 7 & 8
Written by Peter Harness
Directed by Daniel Nettheim
'Kill The Moon' writer Harness is back to tackle a two-parter and promises to deliver the "biggest cliffhanger" you can imagine, with the help of Glue and Line of Duty director Nettheim.
The Thick of It star Rebecca Front will reunite with her old co-star Capaldi, though her role in this story remains "a closely-guarded secret" - for now.
Ingrid Oliver will be back as beloved UNIT scientist Osgood - though in what form is unclear, given the character's apparent demise in 'Death In Heaven' - alongside Jemma Redgrave as Kate Stewart once again.
Also back for another go-around are the Zygons, first introduced to Doctor Who in 1975 and making their third appearance on the show after an encore in the 50th anniversary special.
Episode 10
Written by Sarah Dollard
Directed by Justin Molotnikov
Nothing confirmed on episode 9 yet, but the following week's adventure will be penned by Sarah Dollard - of Being Human and The Game - and directed by Merlin's Justin Molotnikov.
Story details are scarce, though it's been announced that Joivan Wade will be back for an encore as Rigsy - the good-natured graffiti artist who teamed with the Doctor and Clara in series eight's 'Flatline'.
Episodes 11 & 12
Written by Steven Moffat
Directed by Rachel Talalay
A year on from helming 2014's two-part series ender - 'Dark Water' and 'Death in Heaven' - Tank Girl director Talalay returns for series 9's finale.
As is tradition, Moffat takes up the reigns again on the script front to bring this run of Doctor Who to a close.
Bonus facts:
This series of Doctor Who - like last year's - will span 12 episodes, though it's unclear if we'll also be getting a bumper-length premiere, akin to 'Deep Breath'.
This leaves one instalment - episode 9 - as yet unaccounted for. Mark Gatiss was previously confirmed to be writing for series 9, so it's a safe bet that his "very frightening" script will fill this slot.
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