Inside BBC Doctor Who's The Barber guest star Ariyon Bakare's career

WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Doctor Who.

Doctor Who continues with the addition of actor Ariyon Bakare to the cast in episode five, The Story and the Engine.

has been a cornerstone of BBC programming since its original launch in the 1960s, and its revival in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston at the helm.

Fast-forwarding two decades, actor Ncuti Gatwa has taken on the mantle of the 15th Time Lord and is set to return for his latest escapade this evening, Saturday, May 10.

In this episode, the Doctor embarks on a journey to Lagos where he encounters a "mysterious figure called the Barber" who governs Lagos.

The character of the Barber will be brought to life by actor Ariyon Bakare, a familiar face from several other popular shows.

Bakare, aged 53, is perhaps most recognised for his role as Dr Ben Kwarme in the BBC medical drama Doctors, a part he played for four years before departing in 2005.

Before his departure, Ben had assaulted a burglar who subsequently pressed charges for grievous bodily harm.

Ben was ultimately cleared of the charges, prompting the doctor to decide to leave Letherbridge and embark on travels with his son Nathan.

However, Doctors is not the only series that Doctor Who fans may recall him from.

Bakare has an impressive acting portfolio, having played Adrian Scott in Family Affairs, Chief Superintendent Burridge in Thirteen, Ligur in Good Omens alongside ex-Doctor Who lead David Tennant, and Carlo Boreal in the BBC's fantastical series His Dark Materials.

His talents have also been showcased on in Too Close, as well as in Crossfire, Karen Pirie, Carnival Row, Black Ops, and the production Mr Loverman, where he starred with Fear the Walking Dead's Lennie James.

According to his IMDb profile, Bakare is set to appear in the upcoming action-packed drama The Bleeding Ground.

The synopsis of the film is intriguing: "In the heart of the Niger Delta, a local man's quest for justice collides with the ambitions of an oil executive, igniting a battle that threatens to consume them both."

Doctor Who continues every Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.