Pivotal: Irish actress Orla Brady plays a woman from Time Lord's murky past in Dr Who Christmas special

The sultry star has nabbed a spot in the Doctor Who Christmas special.

The sultry star will play the mysterious Tasha Lem - a woman from the Time Lord's murky past.

Orla (52), who appeared as the Countess Rossakoff in TV series Poirot, will have a pivotal role in the episode.

“The episode will be revolved around her,” a spokesperson for the show said.

Orla starred in awardwinning Irish film A Love Divided with Liam Cunningham in 1998.

She relocated to LA in 2001 to pursue her acting dream and has starred in several acclaimed series including Fringe and Mistresses.

The festive Doctor Who episode is predicted to pull record ratings. More than 10 million tuned into the 50th anniversary special over the weekend.

And with Matt Smith bowing out as the good Doctor, producers expect figures to go through the roof.

TRAUMATIC

Jenna Coleman, who plays the Doctor's companion Clara in the series, described her co-star's departure as “brutal and traumatic”.

“I was an absolute mess, an absolute wreck,” she said after reading the script. “But it's good: it's sad, but it's what needs to happen. It's perfect.”

Dedicated fans of the show aka Whovians will be delighted when classic villains The Cybermen and slow moving Daleks appear in the episode.

Smith's successor Peter Capaldi is expected to make his debut in the special, having appeared in a cameo during the 50th anniversary episode.

The actor will become the 12th Doctor Who.

Herald