Doctor Who series 11 to feature characters and monsters from the classic series?

Doctor Who fans are expecting a bold reinvention of the BBC sci-fi series when it returns later this year, but that doesn't mean that some old favourites won't resurface.

AdoroCinema quotes BBC Sales Director David Hanomo as saying that elements from "the classic series" will appear in Jodie Whittaker's first episodes.

"I cannot say much, but I think the audience will be very happy to recognise elements, characters and monsters from the classic series that will be back," he's quoted as saying.

Exciting, right? (Though we'd advise a little caution: Hanomo's quotes are translated from the original Portuguese, so there is the potential for some miscommunication.)

Chris Chibnall – who's replacing Steven Moffat as showrunner for the new series – previously indicated that he wouldn't be playing it safe in the upcoming series 11.

"What the BBC was after was risk and boldness," he said in June 2017.

Can we have risk, boldness and appearances from the Daleks, the Autons and the Wirrn?

There are a few months to go yet before we find out exactly how serious an overhaul Doctor Who is getting, with series 11 expected to launch on BBC One in October.

A trio of companions – Yasmin (Mandip Gill), Ryan (Tosin Cole) and Graham (Bradley Walsh) – will be joining Whittaker's new Doctor for adventures in time and space.

Credit: Digital Spy