‘Doctor Who’ season 7 spoilers: Neil Gaiman returns (with a notable villain)

If you loved “The Doctor’s Wife” from “Doctor Who” season 6, the BBC has just announced some news that will probably make you overjoyed: Neil Gaiman is returning! The popular science fiction author has signed on to direct an upcoming episode during the show’s season 7 spring run next year.

That’s not all either: not only will this episode feature Matt Smith’s new companion played by Jenna-Louise Coleman, but it was also feature Warwick Davis (“Life’s Too Short”), Tamzin Outhwaite, and Jason Watkins as guest stars and mark the return of the infamous cyborg villains known as the Cybermen. We don’t just yet what they want with the Doctor this time, but it should be exciting.

In an official statement to the network about this news, executive producer Steven Moffat had this to say:

“Cybermen were always the monsters that scared me the most! Not just because they were an awesome military force, but because sometimes they could be sleek and silver and right behind you without you even knowing … And with one of the all-time classic monsters returning, and a script from one of our finest novelists, it’s no surprise we have attracted such stellar names as Tamzin, Jason, and Warwick.”

Coleman will be making her first appearance in the Christmas special airing on December 25 (natch), and will be around for the series’ run moving forward. “Doctor Who” season 7 is also airing on BBC America in addition to the network across the pond, and it is traditionally its highest-rated scripted program (even though the original series “Copper” is faring rather well).

What do you think about the Cybermen coming back, especially when you have a talent like Gaiman on board to help depict them?