Pearl Mackie has started her first day of filming as companion to Peter Capaldi’s Doctor Who and fans on Twitter are beside themselves with joy.

The BBC confirmed the news as it released an image of the actress, holding a polystyrene cup, surrounded by the crew.

Pearl, who will play Bill, was announced as the new companion at half-time during the FA Cup semi-final between Manchester United and Everton.

Doctor Who's Peter Capaldi and Pearl Mackie
Doctor Who’s Peter Capaldi and Pearl Mackie (Ray Burmiston/BBC One)

At the time she said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Doctor Who family. It’s such an extraordinary British institution, I couldn’t be prouder to call the Tardis my home.”

The Brixton actress trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 2010. Her big TV break came with the role of Anne-Marie Frasier in Doctors in 2014.

Outgoing Doctor Who executive producer Steven Moffat described Londoner Pearl as “just extraordinary”. She will make her debut in series 10 which will air in 2017.

Pearl Mackie is the new Doctor Who companion
Pearl Mackie is the new Doctor Who companion (Ray Burmiston/BBC)

Whovians took to Twitter to wish Pearl luck and to express their excitement about the next instalment of the popular BBC One series.

Hooray for Doctor Who!