Lindsay Duncan to star in 'Who'

Lindsay Duncan has been announced as a guest star in the second Doctor Who special.

The Rome actress will play assistant Adelaide in the episode, with producers claiming that she will be the most strong-minded and smartest companion The Doctor has ever had.

Duncan said: "I'm thrilled to be involved in Doctor Who. I've never done anything like this before."

In 2007, Duncan starred on the West End stage alongside future Doctor Matt Smith in Polly Stenham's That Face.

Executive producer Russell T. Davies said: "Lindsay is an incredibly talented actress and I've been an admirer of her work for some time.

"We are delighted to announce that she will be joining the team."

The second of four 2009 specials will be co-written by Davies and Phil Ford, with filming due to start in the spring.

It will be the follow-up to 'Planet Of The Dead', which will air on BBC One at Easter.

Michelle Ryan and Lee Evans have both been confirmed as guest stars in that episode.