First look at two main ‘Downton Abbey’ stars in the new season of ‘Doctor Who’

Two upcoming episodes of Doctor Who will include a couple of familiar faces from Downton Abbey.

The new season of the long-running British sci-fi drama series began last month, introducing Broadchurch star Jodie Whitaker as the latest incarnation of the titular time traveller.

Episode 8 airs tonight on BBC One in the UK and on BBC America in the USA.

The story guest stars Siobhan Finneran, best known as bitter servant O’Brien in Downton, as a character called Becka Savage.

Titled ‘The Witchfinders’, the episode is set during a witch trial in 17th-century Lancashire and also boasts Scottish actor Alan Cumming as King James I.

Watch the trailer for a look at Finneran in action:

Another Downton Abbey star will appear in next month’s season finale.

Set on the remains of an alien battlefield, ‘The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos’ will feature Phyllis Logan, who played Mrs  Hughes in Downton.

She’ll guest star as a character called Andinio, alongside Game of Thrones actor Mark Addy.

Here’s a sneak peek at Logan in Doctor Who:

Seasons 1-10 of Doctor Who are available on DVD on Amazon here.

Phyllis Logan will return to the role of Mrs Hughes, now Mrs Carson, in the long-awaited Downton Abbey movie next autumn.