Matt Smith and Katy Manning are coming to Bannerman Road this Autumn in a two-part episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures, reprising their Doctor Who roles. Matt will, of course, be appearing as the Doctor, which will make the long wait between the end of the current series and the Christmas Special a little more tolerable. After the Doctor’s ominous silent farewell at the end of “The End of Time, Part Two” Sarah Jane will get to welcome the new incarnation of the Time Lord.

Katy Manning originally appeared as Jo Grant in Doctor Who from 1971-1973 with then current Doctor Jon Pertwee. After leaving the series she scandalously posed naked in Girl Illustrated magazine. For a long while she seemed to distance herself from the program, but renewed her association with the world of Doctor Who in the 21st Century by appearing in several Big Finish audio plays as Time Lady Iris Wildthyme and as Jo Grant. She has done several audio commentaries for the DVDs of some of her episodes and has talked at length about her time on the show in many behind-the-scenes featurettes.

About reprising her role on television, Katy said, “Playing Jo Grant again is something I never really considered. I was gob-smacked when they told me and I am over the moon. What an incredible little treat. I come home and this is one of the first things that happens.”

Sarah Jane herself, Elisabeth Sladen, added: “It’s a fantastic script and I can’t wait to work with another Doctor and hope Matt has fun with us. I’ve known Katy for ages and I am delighted to be working with her. I last met her in LA but this time we will be in Cardiff. LA was good but Cardiff is better.”

The script, penned by executive producer Russell T Davies will see The Doctor and his two former time-travelling partners caught up in an alien-busting adventure that will entertain Doctor Who fans of all ages.