You may recall that we told you back on December 2 that there were rumors about a potential second companion for Peter Capaldi‘s Doctor Who, and that he might be a teacher from the school where Clara works. At the time the talk was that it would be Tom, the man who brought the Doctor’s message to Clara in her classroom at the beginning of the 50th anniversary special.

Today, the BBC has announced that there will indeed be another cast member in the new season, and he will be a teacher at Clara’s school. It isn’t Tom, however, and he may not be an additional companion, as they aren’t saying so, yet. Here’s a first look at Samuel Anderson, who’ll be playing Danny Pink, followed by the press release (quick reminder: in the UK, a TV season is called a ‘series’):

Rising Star Joins Doctor Who for Peter Capaldi’s First Series

Samuel Anderson (The History Boys, Gavin & Stacey, Emmerdale) is set to join the cast of Doctor Who as a recurring character in series 8, which will also introduce Peter Capaldi as the Doctor to millions of viewers for the first time. Anderson will play Danny Pink, a teacher at Coal Hill School where companion Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) also teaches.

On joining the show Samuel Anderson said: ‘I was so excited to join Doctor Who I wanted to jump and click my heels, but I was scared I might not come down before filming started! It’s a quintessential part of British culture and I can’t believe I’m part of it. It’s an honour to be able to work alongside Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman and I can’t wait to show people how my character becomes involved with such a fantastic duo!’

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer, added: ‘For the fourth time in Doctor Who history, Coal Hill School is coming to the aid of the TARDIS. In 1963 teachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright accompanied the First Doctor. These days it’s the turn of Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald. And very soon now, Sam Anderson as Danny Pink will be entering the world of the Doctor. But how and why? Answers are coming later this year in Peter Capaldi’s first series of Doctor Who!’

Filming recently began on episode 4 of the new series which will co-star Robert Goodman (Gangs of New York, Game of Thrones) and episode 5, co-starring Jonathan Bailey (Broadchurch, Groove High), and Pippa Bennett-Warner (The Smoke, Death in Paradise).

Sorry, classic Doctor Who fans, but as someone who isn’t as familiar with the original, pre-rebooted series, I had no idea that the school where Clara teaches is the school that the First Doctor’s granddaughter Susan attended all those years ago. That is SO COOL.

Doctor Who, starring Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, and Samuel Anderson, premieres Season 8 later this year on BBC America.