Speaking to the
Radio Times, Bhaskar said: "I'm thrilled to have made a small contribution to and now be part of the
Doctor Who universe. Another dream box ticked!"
Bhaskar is well known for his roles in
The Kumars at No. 42,
Goodness Gracious Me and
The Indian Doctor,
his role for which draws on his own family's experience in coming to the UK as immigrants in the mid-twentieth century.
Work on the Season 8 finale began last month with Capaldi seen in Cardiff city centre filming
scenes with the Cybermen. Capaldi was joined by Michelle Gomez,
who is playing a new character, the Gatekeeper of the Nethersphere.
The as-yet-untitled two-parter is written by
Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat and directed by Rachel Talalay (
Kyle XY).
Of Bhaskar's casting,
Moffat says: "I'm completely thrilled that Sanjeev Bhaskar is coming to the aid of the Doctor. The danger is never deadlier than in a finale episode, and the Time Lord is going to need all the help he can get!"
Doctor Who Season 8
will have its TV premiere in the UK and North America on Saturday, August 23, with the feature-length
Deep Breath — and in a number of other countries. The
worldwide premiere will take place two weeks earlier on Thursday, August 7, in Cardiff's St David's Hall.
The Doctor is once again partnered with his companion, Clara, played by Jenna Coleman since 2012. Other regular characters will include Danny Pink (Samuel Anderson) and Courtney (Ellis George).
Guest stars already announced for the upcoming season include Jonathan Bailey (
Broadchurch), Foxes — the singer who was among one of the many acts appearing at the recent Glastonbury music festival — Keeley Hawes (
Line of Duty), Ben Miller (
Death in Paradise), Hermione Norris (
Spooks), Tom Riley and Frank Skinner (
Room 101).
