John de Lancie joins the cast of Torchwood: Miracle Day

Torchwood writer Jane Espenson has said that John de Lancie will join the cast of the programme's fourth series.

Espenson wrote on Twitter: "I just this minute got permission to tell about the Torchwood guest star I was tweeting about. Two great Sci Fi fandoms collide... He's de licious. He's de lightful. He's de lovely... Yes. Our friend Q from Star Trek: TNG, John De Lancie, is part of the #Torchwood family!"

The American actor, who is best known for his work on Star Trek and Stargate SG-1, will star alongside John Barrowman, Eve Myles and Bill Pullman in the 10-part series which is subtitled "Miracle Day".

The storyline revolves around a day when everyone on Earth stops dying resulting in a population boom and a new Torchwood team is formed to investigate a global conspiracy.

Torchwood: "Miracle Day" will air on BBC One in the UK and Starz in the US in July.