The British filmmaker has previously helmed the acclaimed movies Kill List and A Field in England and will begin filming the episodes, rumoured to be a two-part story, in December.

Wheatley: “I am very excited and honoured to be asked to direct the first two episodes of the new series of Doctor Who. I’ve been a fan since childhood (Tom Baker is my Doctor if you are asking). I’ve been watching the current run of Doctor Who with my son and have discovered it all over again. The work that has been done is amazing.”

He added: “I’m really looking forward to working with Peter Capaldi and finding out where Steven Moffat is planning to take the new Doctor.”

> Buy A Field In England on DVD on Amazon.

In an interview with Uncut, Wheatley revealed: “All the Doctor Who stuff is really scary around [the Fourth Doctor] period. I’ve been re-watching a lot of the Tom Baker stuff with my son, and it’s so spooky.”

> Find out all the latest info on Series 8 in our episode guide.

What are your hopes for Series 8? Let us know below…

> Order the 50th anniversary special on DVD on Amazon.

> Order the 50th anniversary special on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Watch the Series 7 Part 2 trailer…