With filming of Season 10 set to start next week, the producers of the revived Doctor Who series revealed that comedian Matt Lucas (Bridesmaids, Alice in Wonderland), who starred as the hapless Nardole in the recent “Christmas Special,” will be reprising his role as the bumbling, duffel-coated character in a number of Season 10 episodes, where he will be working with the twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi and his new companion Bill, played by Pearl Mackie (see “BBC’s Doctor Who Reveals New Companion”).

Steven Moffat, lead writer and showrunner, who is leaving the show after this coming season (see “Shake Up at Doctor Who”) explained to the BBC News Centre: “Delighted and slightly amazed to be welcoming Matt Lucas back on to the TARDIS - and this time it’s not just for Christmas, he’s sticking around. One of the greatest comedy talents on planet Earth is being unleashed on all of time and space.”

Lucas, who as Nardole definitely helped leaven “The Husbands of River Song” episode, noted that he was “chuffed to bits that Nardole is returning to the TARDIS for some more adventures” including the first episode of Season 10 that starts film in Wales next Monday.