As fans get ready to embrace the new Time Lord in Doctor Who, played by Peter Capaldi, BBC has released four photos from Season 8, which give us our first look at returning character Madame Vastra, played by Neve McIntosh. Although they are not pictured, this self-proclaimed "lizard woman from the dawn of time" will be joined by her Paternoster Gang members Jenny Flint (Catrin Stewart) and the Sontaran, Strax (Dan Starkey) this season. These images also feature Peter Capaldi as the good Doctor and Jenna Coleman as his companion Clara Oswald.

Doctor Who Season 8 Photo 1
Doctor Who Season 8 Photo 2
Doctor Who Season 8 Photo 3
Doctor Who Season 8 Photo 4

Filming is well underway for Season 8 of Doctor Who. Guest stars confirmed to join Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman in the new series include Sanjeev Bhaskar, Michelle Gomez, Frank Skinner, Ben Miller, Tom Riley, Keeley Hawes and Hermione Norris.

Ben Wheatley, the British filmmaker known for critically-acclaimed indie films such as Sightseers and this year's A Field in England, is directing the first two episodes of Season 8, which were written by Steven Moffat.

Doctor Who Season 8 Photo
Doctor Who Sanjeev Bhaskar Photo
Doctor Who Season 8 Peter Capaldi and Michelle Gomez Photo
Doctor Who Season 8 Photo 2
Doctor Who Season 8 Photo 3
Doctor Who Season 8 Photo 1