It will be a family Christmas for the Time Lord when he is reunited with his wife Professor River Song for the Doctor Who festive special.

Star Alex Kingston will reprise her role as the time-travelling archaeologist in BBC One’s sci-fi series in which she meets her husband’s new incarnation – played by Peter Capaldi – for the first time.

Peter Capaldi and Doctor Who's Tardis
Peter Capaldi as the Doctor and the Tardis (Simon Ridgway/BBC)

“To be honest, I did not know whether River would ever return to the show, but here she is, back with the Doctor for the Christmas special,” Alex said.

The actress, who made her first Doctor Who appearance in 2008 and has appeared in 15 episodes to date, has started filming the Christmas special in Cardiff alongside Peter and showrunner Steven Moffat.

“I met Peter for the first time at Monday’s read through, we had a laugh, and I am now excited and ready to start filming with him and the Doctor Who team. Christmas in September?, why not!” Alex said.

The Time Lord (Peter Capaldi) and his companion (Jenna Coleman)
The Time Lord (Peter Capaldi) and his companion (Jenna Coleman) (David Venni/BBC)

The star, whose other screen credits include American medical drama ER and US superhero series Arrow, continued: “Steven Moffat is on glittering form, giving us an episode filled with humour and surprise guest castings.”

Steven, who has written the festive instalment, said: “Another Christmas, another special for Doctor Who – and what could be more special than the return of Alex Kingston as Professor River Song.”

He teased: “The last time the Doctor saw her she was a ghost. The first time he met her, she died. So how can he be seeing her again? As ever, with the most complicated relationship in the universe, it’s a matter of time…”

Other guests joining Peter and Alex on the Tardis will be revealed over the coming months.

Maisie Williams in Doctor Who
Maisie Williams in Doctor Who (BBC)

Game Of Thrones actress Maisie Williams, Reese Shearsmith and Michelle Gomez are among the stars appearing in the ninth series of Doctor Who.

The new series will return to BBC One for 12 episodes on September 19, followed by the Christmas special on Christmas Day.