BBC One has announced today that Paul McGann is joining the cast of Holby City.

The Doctor Who star will play Professor John Gaskell, “a surgical star with irrepressible charm”, in the long-running medical drama series.

McGann will begin filming in August and will appear on screen from December.

The actor commented: “I’m really excited to be joining Holby. Professor John Gaskell is certainly going to be an interesting character and I can’t wait to get started on the wards.”

Oliver Kent, Head of Continuing Drama for BBC Scripted Studios, added: “I am utterly thrilled that the brilliant Paul McGann has agreed to join the cast of Holby City as Professor John Gaskell. I’ve admired Paul’s work for many years on stage, screen and radio and it’s a dream come true that he is joining our company. In his hands, John Gaskell will be a mercurial force to be reckoned with and I can’t wait to see him locking horns with Jac, Hanssen, Griffin and the other Holby titans.”

Gaskell will arrive as “the saviour of the hour when Holby struggles under a crisis, armed with a programme of surgical innovations – taking the hospital into an exciting but unknown future.”

Are you looking forward to seeing Paul McGann in Holby City? Let us know below…