Saving Not-So-Private Ryan: Former "Bionic Woman" Michelle Ryan Signs On for "Doctor Who" Easter Special

Adding more gristle to the rumor mill that Bionic Woman's Michelle Ryan will take over as the new companion for the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith), the BBC today announced that Ryan will guest star in the next Doctor Who special featuring the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant), entitled "Planet of the Dead," which is slated to air in the UK at Easter.

Ryan will play the enigmatic Lady Christina de Souza, who "joins the Doctor on a bus trip which takes an unexpected detour into danger."

"Michelle is one of the most sought after young actors in the country and we are delighted to announce that she will be joining the team," said executive producer Russell T. Davies. "As always the script is being kept strictly under wraps, however we can reveal that Lady Christina is a woman with a mysterious past who's going to have a huge impact on the Doctor!"

As in she sticks around when he regenerates into Matt Smith's Eleventh Doctor? Hmmm...

Inbound head writer/executive producer Steven Moffat, who takes over for Davies when he departs following the four specials slated for 2009, clearly likes Ryan; they worked together on BBC's fantastic mini-series Jekyll. If that's the case, I'm giving my thumbs up to Ryan. Those who didn't like her in Bionic Woman, I urge you to check her out in Merlin or Jekyll and you might very well change your minds.

Joining Tennant and Ryan in "Planet of the Dead" is comedian Lee Evans, who will play Malcolm, a man "whose life becomes connected to the Doctor's under extraordinary circumstances."

"Planet of the Dead" will also feature Noma Dumezweni, who reprises her role as Captain Erisa Magambo, who was last seen helping Rose and Donna save the world in the Season Four episode "Turn Left."

Production on Doctor Who's "Planet of the Dead" begins this week for a planned Easter transmission in the UK on BBC One.

Stay tuned.