The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine (#504) confirms the director and one of the guest cast in the 2016 Christmas special.

The 60-minute festive story, written again by Steven Moffat, is being helmed by Edward Bazalgette. He previously directed the 2015 Maisie Williams’ double “The Girl Who Died” and “The Woman Who Lived”.

The mag also confirms that Matt Lucas’ character Nardole will be back at Christmas in addition to the already announced opening episode of Series 10. The character first appeared in the last year’s Christmas special The Husbands of River Song, so perhaps a sequel story of sorts?.

There is no word at the time of writing on whether Nardole will be the Doctor’s companion in the story.

Matt Gatiss recently said that he thinks the Christmas special is “one of Steve’s best ever scripts, absolutely beautiful,” and added that it made him cry.

The Christmas special is being filmed until October, and after that the rest of Series 10 will resume shooting.