The actor will play Danny Pink, a teacher at Coal Hill School where companion Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) also teaches.

Anderson commented: “I was so excited to join Doctor Who I wanted to jump and click my heels, but I was scared I might not come down before filming started! It’s a quintessential part of British culture and I can’t believe I’m part of it. It’s an honour to be able to work alongside Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman and I can’t wait to show people how my character becomes involved with such a fantastic duo!”

> Watch Jenna Coleman and Samuel Anderson acting together in a scene in Emmerdale.

Steven Moffat added: “For the fourth time in Doctor Who history, Coal Hill School is coming to the aid of the TARDIS. In 1963 teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright accompanied the First Doctor. These days it’s the turn of Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald. And very soon now, Sam Anderson as Danny Pink will be entering the world of the Doctor. But how and why? Answers are coming later this year in Peter Capaldi’s first series of Doctor Who!”

Anderson starred as Crowther in The History Boys, alongside Doctor Who guest stars Russell Tovey (‘Voyage of the Damned’) and James Corden (‘The Lodger’, ‘Closing Time’). His other roles include guest parts in Death in Paradise, Gavin & Stacey, Midsomer Murders and Bedlam.

> Order Series 8 on DVD on Amazon.

> Order Series 8 on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Series 8 of Doctor Who is currently filming in Cardiff and is expected to begin airing on BBC One in August.

> Find out all the latest info on Series 8 in our news summary.

Do you like the sound of Danny Pink? Let us know below…