As we previously announced, theatre, television and film actor Freddie Fox will appear in Doctor Who Season Two.

Fox will play a fearsome villain from another planet in an episode from the new series. He resembles a horned alien metalhead in the released BBC image.

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies praised Fox’s performance.

“It’s been 10 years since I worked with Freddie on Cucumber, and this is a great way to celebrate the anniversary. He’s the most spectacular actor, and he comes to Doctor Who with fury, venom, cunning and a beautiful set of horns. Doctor beware!”

Fox expressed his own excitement.

“I had the most amazing time making this show and feel honoured to have been asked to be a part of Russell’s crazy, bonkers, beautiful vision. Added to which, sharing space with the iconic Doctor that is Ncuti Gatwa was special beyond imagining. If audiences enjoy watching it half as much as I did making it, televisions are on course to explode right across the world!”

Fox has appeared in fantasy epics on TV and Shakespearean tragedies on stage. Since his on-screen debut in 2009, Freddie has appeared in many TV hits including The Gentlemen, The Crown, The Great, Slow Horses, and most recently as Ser Gwayne Hightower in House of the Dragon. In 2015, Freddie appeared as Freddie Baxter in Russell T Davies’ Channel 4 dramas Cucumber and Banana. In addition to his TV roles, Freddie has also made a big impact on stage, earning a Laurence Oliver nomination for his role as Tristan Tzara in the revival of Travesties at the Apollo Theatre.

The photo released showing Fox’s character yields a few clues in relation to the trailers released for the series. The setting is the same as a scene from Episode Six, the one that features the Interstellar Song Contest, judging from the Doctor’s apparel.

In another scene from the trailers, the masked creatures seen behind Fox’s character appear in a scene where the Doctor is crossing a transparent boundary — wearing apparel from the two-part series finale.

Doctor Who Season Two will officially launch with Episode One on Saturday 12 April at 8am on BBC iPlayer and later that day on BBC One in the UK. Those outside of the UK can watch Doctor Who Season Two on Disney+ where available simultaneously starting at 3am ET/12am PT. The remaining seven episodes of the series will transmit on subsequent Saturdays.