Steven Moffat explains why Matt Lucas is returning to 'Doctor Who'

Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat has discussed the decision to bring back Matt Lucas as Nardole in the new season.

Lucas made his debut as Nardole, who met the Doctor on the human colony of Mendorax Dellora in the year 5343, in last year’s Christmas special, ‘The Husbands of River Song’.

The Little Britain star will be joining the cast of Doctor Who as a recurring character in Season 10, which began filming in June.

Speaking to Doctor Who Magazine in the new issue, Moffat explained: “I decided Nardole should return to Doctor Who when Matt Lucas got in touch saying, ‘I loved being in that show. Can I come back?’ And I sat there thinking, ‘Okay, so this guy who’s out in LA being offered every kind of pilot and every kind of career advancement has basically decided that instead of all that wealth and spectacular success, he’d rather go to Cardiff and make Doctor Who.’ I thought, ‘He is of my kind. He belongs to our world.’”

He added: “And so now that was an opportunity – given that it was in front of me and possible – I decided to import the best comic timing I’ve ever seen into Doctor Who on a regular basis.”

Watch Matt Lucas in a behind-the-scenes video…