First official Jenna-Louise Coleman Doctor Who picture

Following Wednesday's announcement of Jenna-Louise Coleman as the new Doctor Who companion, BBC America have today unveiled the first official picture of the actress posing with the TARDIS.

Coleman said: "I'm beyond excited, I can't wait to get cracking; working alongside Matt I know is going to be enormous fun and a huge adventure."

The actress will make her first appearance in Doctor Who in this year's Christmas Special and will star in the show as it reaches its 50th anniversary in 2013.

No details of Coleman's character have been disclosed, although Steven Moffat says that it is not "the usual boy meets girl" when the Doctor first encounters his new friend.