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The ´óÏó´«Ã½ has confirmed that Michelle Ryan and Lee Evans will guest star in the forthcoming ´óÏó´«Ã½ One Doctor Who Easter special which began filming this week in Wales.

Michelle, best known for her roles as Zoe Slater in EastEnders, and Jaime Sommers in the recent remake of Bionic Woman, will play the mysterious Lady Christina de Souza in the special episode entitled Planet Of the Dead. Christina joins the Doctor on a bus trip which takes an unexpected detour into danger.

Michelle comments: "I'm a huge fan of Doctor Who and very excited to be joining David Tennant and the Doctor Who team. It is such a fantastic show and I can't wait to get started!"

One of Britain’s best loved and biggest comedy stars, Lee Evans, will also be joining the cast playing a character called Malcolm, whose life becomes connected to the Doctor's under extraordinary circumstances.

Planet Of The Dead is the first of four Doctor Who specials which will air in 2009.

Michelle joins David Tennant, as he continues his role as The Doctor, and Noma Dumezweni who returns as Captain Erisa Magambo – last seen helping Rose and Donna save the world in Turn Left.

Executive Producer and writer Russell T Davies comments: "Michelle is one of the most sought after young actors in the country and we are delighted to announce that she will be joining the team.

"As always the script is being kept strictly under wraps, however we can reveal that Lady Christina is a woman with a mysterious past who's going to have a huge impact on the Doctor!"

Planet Of The Dead, written by Russell T Davies and Gareth Roberts, is currently in production and will be screened on ´óÏó´«Ã½ One in Spring 2009.

The producer is Tracie Simpson; Executive Producers are Julie Gardner and Russell T Davies. Doctor Who is produced by ´óÏó´«Ã½ Wales and is filmed in Cardiff.

TH