Doctor Who casts Emmerdale's Samuel Anderson as new recurring character

Samuel Anderson has joined the cast of Doctor Who.

The Emmerdale actor will play a recurring character in the upcoming eighth series, which introduces Peter Capaldi as the new Doctor.

Anderson will play Danny Pink, a teacher who works alongside Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) at Coal Hill School.

The actor said of joining the show: "I was so excited to join Doctor Who I wanted to jump and click my heels, but I was scared I might not come down before filming started

"It's a quintessential part of British culture and I can't believe I'm part of it. It's an honour to be able to work alongside Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman and I can't wait to show people how my character becomes involved with such a fantastic duo!"

Writer and producer Steven Moffat added: "For the fourth time in Doctor Who history, Coal Hill School is coming to the aid of the TARDIS. In 1963 teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright accompanied the First Doctor. These days it's the turn of Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald.

"And very soon now, Sam Anderson as Danny Pink will be entering the world of the Doctor. But how and why? Answers are coming later this year in Peter Capaldi's first series of Doctor Who!"

It has also been announced that Robert Goodman (Game of Thrones), Jonathan Bailey (Broadchurch) and Pippa Bennett-Warner (Death in Paradise) will guest star in the upcoming series.

Anderson, who played policeman Ross Kirk in Emmerdale from 2007 to 2009, originate the role of Crowther in Alan Bennett's The History Boys and has also appeared in Gavin & Stacey.

Doctor Who's eighth series is shooting in Cardiff and will debut on BBC One in late 2014.

Source: Digital Spy