LAST UPDATED: August 6, 2015

Doctor Who is the persistent subject of rumours - from the credible to the outright absurd - and it can be difficult to separate what's fact from what's fiction.

Lucky for you, dear reader, that Digital Spy is on hand to cut a swathe through the nonsense - these are the facts, 100% confirmed, about series 9 of the world's greatest science-fiction series.

BBC



Filming began on the 9th series of Doctor Who - its 35th run overall - on January 5, 2015 for a planned transmission in the autumn. Steven Moffat will serve as lead writer and executive producer for the fifth time.

Peter Capaldi will return for his second full series as the Doctor, while Jenna Coleman will be back for her third run of episodes as Clara Oswald.

Coleman was widely expected to be leaving the series in the 2014 Christmas special - and indeed had planned to exit - but later changed gears and signed a new contract.

Clara is confirmed to be appearing in the entirety of series 9: "She continues to complicate..." Moffat has said. "...and that relationship between the two of them is incredibly strong."

Details have so far emerged about 8 episodes, divided into 4 two-parters - though Moffat has noted that some of these dual episodes are "just linked" rather than adopting the traditional two-part format.

"It's not just two-parters - it's occasionally taking one strand and keeping it going," he explained. "There's two-parters where the episodes are quite different, two-parters that are quite traditional - just to change the rhythm of it."

Episodes 1 & 2 - 'The Magician's Apprentice' / 'The Witch's Familiar'

Written by Steven Moffat

Directed by Hettie McDonald



The opening two-parter of the series, though shot as part of the second production block.

"It places the Doctor in a conflict that is central to his being, as well as containing some subtle tributes to the '60s, and truly wonderful guest performances," Peter Capaldi has said, adding that the Time Lord will "make a mistake that has cataclysmic repercussions".

'The Magician's Apprentice' / 'The Witch's Familiar' marks the return of 'Blink' director McDonald to Doctor Who - and will also bring back Michelle Gomez as Missy, not long after she was apparently vapourised by the Cyber-Brigadier in series 8 finale 'Death in Heaven'.

"I was thinking about the story of the first two-parter and she fits in there perfectly - she just fits," Moffat explained.

Jemma Redgrave - who first appeared as the Brigadier's daughter Kate Stewart in 2012 episode 'The Power of Three' - will also be back.

Episodes 3 & 4

Written by Toby Whithouse

Directed by Daniel O'Hara



The first two episodes shot this year, this as-yet-untitled adventure marks the return of Being Human creator Whithouse to Doctor Who scripting duties - his first episode since 2012's 'A Town Called Mercy'.

He reteams with Being Human and The Game director O'Hara for what Moffat has described as "a brilliantly creepy two-parter" and "one of our scariest adventures yet".

Game of Thrones actor Paul Kaye will play a guest part, while additional cast includes The Missing's Arsher Ali, Morven Christie, Colin McFarlane, Sophie Stone, Zaqi Ismail, Steven Robertson and Neil Fingleton.

Episodes 5 & 6 - 'The Girl Who Died' / 'The Woman Who Lived'

Written by Jamie Mathieson & Steven Moffat, Catherine Tregenna

Directed by Ed Bazalgette

BBC



The first example of a non-traditional two-parter - these two linked instalments are penned by different writers, with Moffat and 'Flatline' scribe Mathieson working together on episode 5, and episode 6 penned solo by Torchwood's Tregenna.

In addition to introducing a new armoured monster to Doctor Who's rogues gallery, 'The Girl Who Died' / 'The Woman Who Lived' will also feature Maisie Williams as a character who "put[s] the Doctor to the test".

Moffat has vowed that the Game of Thrones actress "is not playing a returning character. She's not someone from the Doctor's past. Unless I'm lying!"

Rufus Hound has also filmed an appearance, playing one Sam Swift.

These two episodes were shot together in one production block, but since they might only be loosely connected, it's unclear which cast members will appear in episode 5 and which will appear in 6 - or indeed, if the entire cast will appear in both.

Also confirmed to appear are Siblings actor Tom Stourton, Ariyon Bakare, Simon Lipkin, Ian Conningham, Murray McArthur, Barnaby Kay, John Voce and Struan Rodger.

Episodes 7 & 8

Written by Peter Harness

Directed by Daniel Nettheim



'Kill The Moon' writer Harness is back to tackle a two-parter and promises to deliver the "biggest cliffhanger" you can imagine, with the help of Glue and Line of Duty director Nettheim.

The Thick of It star Rebecca Front will reunite with her old co-star Capaldi, though her role in this story remains "a closely-guarded secret" - for now.

Ingrid Oliver will be back as beloved UNIT scientist Osgood - though in what form is unclear, given the character's apparent demise in 'Death In Heaven' - alongside Jemma Redgrave as Kate Stewart once again.

Also back for another go-around are the Zygons, first introduced to Doctor Who in 1975 and making their third appearance on the show after an encore in the 50th anniversary special.

Episode 9

Written by Mark Gatiss

Directed by Justin Molotnikov

Gatiss' latest Doctor Who offering will be, we're told, "unlike any previous episode" - and will feature a guest appearance from his League of Gentlemen cohort Reece Shearsmith.

Also along for the "very scary" ride are Elaine Tan, Neet Mohan, Bethany Black and Paul Courtenay Hyu - all cast in supporting roles.

Episode 10

Written by Sarah Dollard

Directed by Justin Molotnikov

Adrian Rogers



Nothing confirmed on episode 9 yet, but the following week's adventure will be penned by Sarah Dollard - of Being Human and The Game - and directed by Merlin's Justin Molotnikov.

Story details are scarce, though it's been announced that Joivan Wade will be back for an encore as Rigsy - the good-natured graffiti artist who teamed with the Doctor and Clara in series eight's 'Flatline'.

Episodes 11 & 12

Written by Steven Moffat

Directed by Rachel Talalay

BBC



A year on from helming 2014's two-part series ender - 'Dark Water' and 'Death in Heaven' - Tank Girl director Talalay returns for series 9's finale.

As is tradition, Moffat takes up the reigns again on the script front to bring this run of Doctor Who to a close.

Bonus facts:

This series of Doctor Who - like last year's - will span 12 episodes, though it's unclear if we'll also be getting a bumper-length premiere, akin to 'Deep Breath'.

Just as uncertain is the fate of Doctor Who beyond series nine - though a 10th run has been confirmed, rumours abound that 2016 will see the BBC forego a full series to accomodate Steven Moffat's Sherlock commitments, though the Beeb has insisted it is too early to confirm schedules at this stage.

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