Shaun of the Dead star Nick Frost, Natalie Gumede, Faye Marsay, Nathan McMullen and Michael Troughton will join Peter Capaldi and his companion Jenna Coleman in the 2014 Doctor Who Christmas Special.

Production on the episode has begun, with a host of British acting talent set to appear. The Christmas special, a cracker of a highlight in the festive season’s schedule, promises to be an action-packed, unmissable adventure.

Nick Frost, actor and screenwriter, has starred in numerous hit film and television roles, including Spaced, The World’s End, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Cuban Fury and Paul, which he also wrote.

Nick comments: “I'm so thrilled to have been asked to guest in the Doctor Who Christmas Special, I'm such a fan of the show. The read-through was very difficult for me; I wanted to keep stuffing my fingers into my ears and scream 'No spoilers!' Every day on set I’ve had to silence my internal fan-boy squeals!"

Michael Troughton (Breathless, The New Statesman), who has recently returned to acting, will follow in his father Second Doctor Patrick Troughton's footsteps by appearing in Doctor Who.

They will be joined by Natalie Gumede (Coronation Street, Ideal, Strictly Come Dancing), Faye Marsay (Pride, The White Queen, Fresh Meat) and Nathan McMullen (Misfits, Casualty).

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer, says: “Frost at Christmas - it just makes sense! I worked with Nick on the Tintin movie many years ago and it's a real pleasure to lure him back to television for a ride on the TARDIS.”

The Doctor Who Christmas Special will premiere on BBC One and around the world this Christmas. Written by Steven Moffat and directed by Paul Wilmshurst (Strike Back, Combat Kids), it will be shot in Cardiff at BBC Wales Roath Lock Studios.