Step back in time: Diana Rigg joins Matt Smith and new assistant Jenna-Louise Coleman on the Doctor Who set



Two iconic British television shows collided this week when The Avengers star Diana Rigg popped up on the set of Doctor Who.



The actress, 73, was pictured filming a guest role on the BBC series with Matt Smith and new assistant Jenna-Louise Coleman.



The trio were dressed in Period costume as they filmed scenes in Butetown, in Cardiff.



Leading ladies: Diana Rigg was pictured on the set of Doctor Who yesterday in Wales alongside new assistant Jenna-Louise Coleman

Rigg plays a 'Yorkshire local' in the episode which was written specifically for her. Her daughter, Rachael Stirling, is set to star alongside her mother in the special episode and joined the cast on set later in the day.



Diana spoke of her excitement yesterday, telling the BBC: The first time Rachie and I will be working together is on an episode of Doctor Who specially written for us by Mark Gatiss. How lucky is that?'



Rachael added: 'Mark Gatiss has written a gift of a script and an on-screen relationship between Ma and I that is truly delicious.



Varied roles: The actress has played Emmerdale’s Jasmine Thomas and Waterloo Road’s Lindsay James, and recently starred in ITV's Titanic mini-series

Keeping you up? Matt Smith looked a little weary as he walked around the shooting location in Butetown

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'We have never before worked together because the offers have not been tempting, but when such a funny and original script comes through you know the time has come.'



Both Rigg and Coleman were picture wearing long cloaks and bonnets, with plastic hoods to keep themselves dry in the rain.



Matt Smith didn't look too far removed from his usual look in a brown tweed suit and bowler hat. The actor looked a little weary, yawning as he waited to start shooting.



Talented trio: The three actors were spotted chatting in between takes

Step back in time: The cast were dressed in Period costume

Jenna-Louise Coleman, 26, began filming her role as the Doctor's assistant last month, after landing the coveted part in March.



She revealed recently that her audition for Doctor Who was like no other she had even been to. She said,'Normally you’re just reading in front of a camera, but with this, it was so physical. We were using props and running around so it felt like playing - and like a partnership straightaway.



'I have an idea of the story, of the character and of a few surprises, but I don’t know her name or where she’s from. I just told Steven [Moffat] and [producer] Caroline Skinner, "Don’t tell me anything until I need to know it".'

Flashback: Diana, 73, is best known for playing Emma Peel in The Avengers

Fitting in nicely: Jenna-Louise filmed her first episode last month

Coleman, who is best known for best known for playing Emmerdale’s Jasmine Thomas and Waterloo Road’s Lindsay James, recently played a maid Annie Desmond in ITV's Titanic serial.



She admitted she was relieved she didn't have to keep it secret any more.



She said: 'When you keep a secret this big – I’ve kept this one for six weeks – the temptation to tell is all the more irresistible, especially as I live with three school friends. '

Family affair: Rigg's daughter Rachael Stirling joined the team on set later in the day

Honour: the episode was written specially for Diana and Rachael

Special effects: Rachael was tended to by the hair and make-up team as the set was pumped with mist











