Doctor Who has cast a mother and daughter actress duo in an episode written for them by Sherlock co-creator Mark Gatiss!

Legendary actress Diana Rigg, an ex-Bond girl and star of the ’60s television series The Avengers will work with daughter Rachael Stirling (last seen in Snow White and the Huntsmen) for the first time) in a 2013 episode from Sherlock and League of Gentleman co-creator Mark Gatiss, the BBC have announced.

As always with showrunner Steven Moffat, plot and character details are few and far between. However, we do know that Rigg and Stirling will be playing a mother and daughter, replicating their off-screen relationship – however, their characters will be hiding a dark secret. The duo will star alongside Matt Smith and new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman for the episode, which is set in Yorkshire and was written especially for the guest stars. Earlier reports indicated that a Mark Gatiss script had already been filmed for series 7, suggesting he could be following in the footsteps of Chris Chibnall and penning two separate scripts.

“Dame Diana Rigg, Rachael Stirling and a Mark Gatiss script – a combination of talents you could only get in Doctor Who! Frankly, I’m terrified already!”- Steven Moffat

“The first time Rachie and I will be working together is on an episode of Doctor Who specially written for us by Mark Gatiss. How lucky is that?” said Rigg in the official press release. Her daughter said the following:

“Mark Gatiss has written a gift of a script and an on-screen relationship between Ma and I that is truly delicious.

“We have never before worked together because the offers have not been tempting, but when such a funny and original script comes through you know the time has come.”

Filming for the episode begins this week Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff.

Are you looking forward to seeing the mother and daughter star in Doctor Who?