A video released by the Corperation reveals that the Brigadier’s daughter will return in Episodes 7 and 8 of the upcoming series, which will shortly begin filming in Cardiff.

As well as starring in series 9’s opening two-parter, Jemma Redgrave’s character will also pop up later down the line in episodes seven and eight.  It looks like Jemma Redgrave’s Kate Lethbridge-Stewart will play a large part of Doctor Who series 9, with it being announced that she will be appearing in more than one story when it airs later this year.

Previously confirmed to feature in series 9’s opening two episodes, The Magician’s Apprentice and The Witch’s Familiar, the UNIT leader is also set to guest star in the as-yet-unnamed two-part story of episodes seven and eight, as announced via a short behind-the-scenes video.

“I’m really, really happy and thrilled because Kate Stewart is back!” Redgraves declares in the video, which shows her leafing through top secret scripts with the rest of the production team in Cardiff.

Chief Scientific Officer of UNIT and the daughter of Classic Who favourite Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, the character was last seen in series 8 finale Death in Heaven, which saw her square off against the Master and her army of Cybermen.

Jemma Redgrave, best known for her supporting role in 1992 period drama Howard’s End, is one of several recent surprise cast announcements, including Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams and comedian Rufus Hound.

It has been confirmed that the ninth series, will see a shift towards more two-parter story lines, with the first six episodes, split into three sets of double instalments, being intended by showrunner Steven Moffat to “change up the rhythm a bit.”

Speaking to RadioTimes.com, he said, “That 45-and-out rhythm has served us incredibly well for ten years… but there is a slight sense sometimes – about 35 minutes into the episode, you expect the hero music.”

Doctor Who series 9 will air on BBC One later this year