Watch: Behind the Scenes

Christopher Eccleston said: "I am so happy to be back recording more adventures for the Ninth Doctor with Billie. I don't think my Doctor exists without Rose. He's a 'one man, one companion' kind of alien. We've explored him on his own at Big Finish, as a loner. But there's a resilience and a bravery and a deep empathy to Billie as Rose, that's why I do this. They complete each other.

"It was strange recording this script because seeing those references to Rose's estate really took me right back to 2004 and the TARDIS in the middle of the estate. I can remember those days very vividly."

Billie Piper added: "I can’t think of a better time for Rose to reunite with her first Doctor than now. Twenty years after she first ran into the TARDIS and towards adventure, here we are again, me and Chris, ready to have fun facing the universe – and the monsters - together.

"It’s like coming home. It's lovely. And there's always something deeply emotional about Doctor Who episodes, particularly Russell T Davies'. For this one, I felt like the story of Kevin's dad and the mental health issues is so Doctor Who and Russell. It's fun and it's a rollicking ride, but there's also something that's really sad and troubling at its core that moves you."

Camille Coduri said: "It's so lovely. Going back to the old characters, the monsters and the aliens with the old Doctor and the Tylers – you just slot back into that!"

Producer Matt Fitton said: "Twenty years after the Ninth Doctor and Rose burst onto our screens, Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper are back with that brilliant dynamic – the Doctor showing Rose the universe, and Rose showing him the best of humanity. 

"Across 12 episodes, slotting neatly into that 2005 series, we have more Jackie Tyler, more Powell Estate, plus friends and enemies old and new through time and space. Our writers have done an amazing job recapturing the spirit of that very special season, and Chris and Billie have embraced these scripts with delight and gusto. They're having a blast, back on that trip of a lifetime – and they sound fantastic!"

Writer Tim Foley said: "I was a kid of the wilderness years, with a knapsack full of books and audios and videos, but 2005 saw actual Doctor Who actually broadcast on the actual telly. It was incredibly special for me then, and the Ninth Doctor and Rose continue to be incredibly special for me now. Wherever you are on the globe, you will surely have heard my whoops of joy when I was asked to write for this new series. 

"It's great to kick things off with Snare, a character-driven opener back on the Powell Estate. We’re picking up right after Father’s Day, where the family drama from that story still continues to make ripples. You’ll meet one of Rose’s old friends, Kevin, and learn what secrets are being hidden in his dad’s old flat. You’ll also encounter Jackie Tyler’s cooking, so stay strong."

Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper

Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper © Oliver Bowring

Helen Goldwyn, Hannah Brown, Matt Fitton, Camille Coduri, Billie Piper, Alex Austin