Get back, ye scurvy dogs! Karen Gillan wields her sword as she gets ready to battle pirates in new Doctor Who scenes



They've taken on Cybermen, Slitheens, clockwork robots and of course his most feared enemies, the Daleks.

But Doctor Who and his assistant are now set to come across the villains of the high seas as they come face to face with pirates.

And as these pictures show, the Time Lord's companion Amy, is preparing to wield her sword and take on the rum-drinking thieves of the ocean for the upcoming new series.

Scroll down for the videos...



Bring 'em on! Karen Gillian wields a sword as she rehearses scenes on board a pirate ship for the upcoming new series of Doctor Who

Karen Gillan plays the Eleventh Doctor's assistant and was snapped yesterday rehearsing scenes on board a ship in Charlestown, Cornwall.



Wrapped in a long blue coat, wellies and a bright pink scarf to keep out the cold February weather, the 23-year-old redhead looked like she was really enjoying herself and she leapt around the ship practicing her moves.



She was also caught on film swinging on a rope at the side of the ship and engaging in some swashbuckling action while filming at night.

The pirates should come at you from about here: Karen is given her marker by one of the crew

Take that! Karen and a crew member rehearse a sword fight scene on board the ship

The onlooker who captured the moment on video said: 'It seems that someone, presumably the Doctor or Rory, has just been forced to walk the plank and Amy fights back but is taken off guard.

'The bit where she runs and knocks everyone over is meant to be for a rope swing.'



Pirate King: Hugh Bonneville, seen here as Robert Earl Of Grantham in Downton Abbey, will star in the new Doctor Who episode

The scenes are part of a new episode of series six, to be shown this Spring, in which the Doctor, played by Matt Smith, 28, and Amy come across pirates on another one of their adventures through time.

Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville has been cast as the Pirate Captain in the episode, believed to be the third in the new series.



The 47-year-old actor said: ‘When I was a boy THAT music and Jon Pertwee’s Doctor had me peeking out from behind the sofa every Saturday night.



'All these years later I am thrilled to be appearing in the new series. Although the Pirate’s fears and demons are different to those of the young lad who watched through his fingers, they are no less vivid and terrifying; this new adventure is not for the faint-hearted.'

The new series of Doctor Who starts on BBC One this Spring and will be broadcast in two parts with seven episodes airing first and the remaining six following this Autumn.



The BBC said the split transmission came at the request of writer Steven Moffat who wants to develop a storyline that will involve a big plot twist in the middle of the series.



He said: 'The split series is hugely exciting because viewers will be treated to two premieres, two finales and more event episodes. For the kids it will never be more than a few months to the next Doctor Who! Easter, Autumn, Christmas!!'

New adventures: Amy and the Doctor will return in the Tardis this Spring







