It has now been confirmed by the BBC that Lindsay Duncan will star in the second of this year’s Doctor Who specials. As reported by the Daily Record, she will play a character called Adelaide who is set to be the Doctor's cleverest and most strong-minded companion yet. Lindsay will star in an upcoming BBC production as Margaret Thatcher soon and is well known for her roles in; Rome, Spooks and Lost in Austen. An official BBC press release about this casting can be viewed below;

The BBC has confirmed that acclaimed actress, Lindsay Duncan will guest star in the second Doctor Who special of 2009.

Lindsay is best known for her roles across stage and screen, including Shooting the Past and GBH and is soon to star as Margaret Thatcher in the highly anticipated BBC Two drama, Margaret. In Doctor Who she will play Adelaide - the Doctor's cleverest and most strong-minded companion yet.

"I'm thrilled to be involved in Doctor Who," said Lindsay. "I've never done anything like this before and I'm really looking forward to working with David Tennant and the Doctor Who team."

Lindsay joins David Tennant as he continues his role as The Doctor in the second of four Doctor Who Specials to be screened throughout 2009. This will follow Planet of the Dead, due to air this Easter on BBC One.

Executive Producer and writer 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 and playing the Doctor's most strong-minded companion yet."

Due to go into production in Spring 2009, the second episode written by Russell T Davies and Phil Ford will be produced by Nikki Wilson and and will be screened on BBC One later this year.

As well as appearing in many television programmes and films, Lindsay is also well known for her performances in theatrical productions. She recently starred in a play called ‘That Face’ alongside Matt Smith who is set to become the 11th Doctor in 2010 and you can view more information about Lindsay’s theatre, television and movie work here. For the first of this year’s Doctor Who specials, The Doctor will be joined by Lady Christina de Souza who will be played by Michelle Ryan. The first special is expected to air around Easter and the second special is expected to air a few months after that. What do you think of this casting news?