Hugh Bonneville: 'Doctor Who role a dream'

Doctor Who guest star Hugh Bonneville has described his role in this week's episode as "a dream".

The Downton Abbey star will play the pirate captain Avery in Saturday night's instalment, titled 'The Curse of the Black Spot'.

"I've been badgering them for years [to] let me be in Doctor Who," he revealed to TV Choice. "It's a cracking episode. The audience will expect one thing and it turns out to be quite different."

He added: "It's actually rather mysterious and dark and ultimately a rather touching story about the Doctor making my character reconcile with his son, while all this weird stuff is going on with a nasty spooky Siren (Lily Cole)."

Bonneville also insisted that the episode, which has been written by Sherlock scribe Steve Thompson, will appeal to viewers of all ages.

"The ideas and themes are huge but done in an adventurous family-friendly way," he claimed. "[There are] some very interesting deep philosophical thoughts parading around in the background for those who want to pick them up."

Doctor Who continues this Saturday on BBC One in the UK and BBC America in the US.

> Doctor Who: 'The Curse of the Black Spot' in pictures

Watch Hugh Bonneville discuss his Doctor Who role with Digital Spy below: