Yes, the new season of Doctor Who has begun production in the UK, making us once again feel the pangs of our Anglophilia. Several unofficial pictures were snapped on set the first day, Monday. Now we have the official picture, and a lovely and exciting press release. As always, don’t read it if you want to be completely spoiler-free, but at this point that’s likely a vain hope.

First, the pictures! We’ll start with the official one, then the snaps taken on the first day via DoctorWhoTV.

Filming has just started on Season 7 of Doctor Who in Cardiff, Wales. This series will see the last days of the Ponds with Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill returning for their final, rollercoaster voyage with the Doctor. Amy and Rory have been at the Doctor’s side for more than two series but what will he do after their heartbreaking departure?

On returning for his third season as the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith says: “It’s thrilling and exciting to be back and working with two of my closest friends.”

Karen Gillan adds: “It’s just brilliant to be back on the TARDIS with Matt and Arthur for our craziest adventures yet”

Plus, new guest stars so far confirmed to star will include David Bradley, Rupert Graves, and Mark Williams.

Season 7 will then see a dramatic turn of events when the Doctor meets a new friend. Prepare yourselves for thrills, adventures and dramatic surprises as the show builds towards its enormous, climactic 50th anniversary year.

Fourteen big, blockbuster-movie episodes — each a brand new epic adventure featuring new monsters and some familiar foes as you’ve never seen them before.

Doctor Who is a BBC Cymru Wales Production for BBC ONE.

14 episodes! 50th anniversary! Mark Williams (Ron’s dad in the Harry Potter movies)! We hear he’s in the first episode. We’ll keep you posted about all of it OF COURSE.

Doctor Who, starring Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, and Arthur Darvill, returns for season 7 in late summer/early fall 2012, on BBC America.