Yesterday we learned that Arrow would be adding Dinah, Laurel’s mother, and it has been announced that she will played by none other than Doctor Who‘s Alex Kingston.

Alex Kingston, known to many as Doctor Who‘s River Song, will be joining Arrow as Dinah Lance, mother to Laurel Lance (Katie Cassidy) and ex-wife of Detective Quentin Lance (Paul Blackthorne). Kingston is also known for her long running role on the hospital drama ER.

In the comics, Dinah was, of course, the original Black Canary before Laurel takes over. We highly doubt that Dinah will become the Black Canary in Arrow, and we expect it will be a long time before Laurel does, if at all. In the comics, Dinah also dates Oliver, but we really don’t see that happening.

Kingston isn’t the first Doctor Who actor to come over to Arrow. Most notably, of course, is John Barrowman, who plays Malcom Merlyn, also known as the Dark Archer, the big bad of the season so far. Colin Salmon, Oliver’s step-dad Walter, guest-starred in the Doctor Who series 4 two-parter “Silence in the Library”/”Forest of the Dead.” Interestingly enough, this two-parter was also the introduction of Kingston’s River Song.

Source: EW.

More ‘Arrow’ news

Arrow has cast Battlestar Galactica alum Rekha Sherma to appear in 1×15 “Dodger.”

Arrow producer Marc Guggenheim talked coming character Roy Harper played by Colton Haynes.

The promo for this week’s Arrow episode 1×11 “Trust But Verify” was released.

The stills and synopsis for episode 1×11 “Trust But Verify” were also released earlier.

The 1×12 “Vertigo” stills and a synopsis were also released.

Teen Wolf‘s Colton Haynes has joined Arrow as Roy Harper.

Battlestar Galactica‘s James Callis has also joined Arrow as The Dodger.