Dame Diana Rigg is to star in series seven of sci-fi drama Doctor Who alongside her daughter, Rachael Stirling, in an episode written by Mark Gatiss!

Starring alongside the Doctor, Matt Smith and new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman, Rigg and Stirling will appear together for the first time on-screen to recreate their off-screen relationship to play a mother and daughter with a dark secret.

Diana Rigg is best known for her iconic role as Emma Peel in 60’s TV Show The Avengers, and more recently Bleak House. Although characters details are under wraps Diana Rigg is said to be playing a Yorkshire local. Rachael Stirling is known for Women in Love and has recently appeared in the movie Snow White and the Huntsman.

Dame Diana Rigg said: “The first time Rachie and I will be working together is on an episode of “Doctor Who” specially written for us by Mark Gatiss. How lucky is that?”

Rachael Stirling, on working on Doctor Who, said: “What joy. I am looking forward to the madness of Doctor Who enormously. Mark Gatiss has written a gift of a script and an on-screen relationship between Ma and I that is truly delicious. We have never before worked together because the offers have not been tempting, but when such a funny and original script comes through you know the time has come.”

Steven Moffat, executive producer and head writer on Doctor Who, said: “Dame Diana Rigg, Rachael Stirling and a Mark Gatiss script – a combination of talents you could only get in Doctor Who! Frankly, I’m terrified already!”

The Doctor Who episode begins filming this week (2 July) at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff to air on BBC One in 2013 and is directed by Saul Metzstein.