Doctor Who's assistant Karen Gillan flies in for festival Q&A session

Published on Wednesday 25 August 2010 11:53

DOCTOR Who star Karen Gillan is to make a special appearance at the Edinburgh International Television Festival this weekend for a question and answer session about the show.

The Scots actress is to join creator Steven Moffat for Doctor Who: The Masterclass at the EICC on Sunday morning.

The 22-year-old was unveiled as new Doctor Matt Smith's assistant Amy Pond for the highly acclaimed new series this year.

Gillan and Moffat, who revived the BBC series in 2004, will discuss the challenges of filming the special effects-laden series.

Moffat, who also created the hit series Sherlock, will also appear on the panel for BBC's Question Time on Saturday night alongside Diane Abbott MP and Mariella Frostrup.

The weekend will also see the industry's agenda-setting James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture by BBC director general Mark Thompson take place at the city's McEwan Hall on Friday night.

Mr Thompson is expected to hit back at the attack on the BBC delivered by News International chief executive James Murdoch last year, when he accused the BBC of being "unaccountable" and "dominant".

Other highlights over the weekend include an exclusive screening of the new Hawaii Five-O series at The Filmhouse and an interview with the new Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.