Patrick Ness has revealed that his upcoming Doctor Who spin off will feature an ensemble of brand new characters.

As announced last month, the acclaimed author is currently putting pen to paper – having just this week written a scene that’s “gross and disgusting and evil” – for the 8 part BBC Three series, Class, which will follow a group of students at Coal Hill School where dangers are breaking through the walls of time and space. There has already been plenty of fevered speculation surrounding the show with Patrick affirming that most of the rumours thus far have been “so wildly wrong”.

Having previously confirmed that it won’t feature Clara Oswald (probably owing to the fact that her imminent exit in the main show will both “shock and terrify”), he remained tight-lighted about whether the Doctor himself, Peter Capaldi, will appear. “I can neither confirm nor deny, but I’m a big Peter Capaldi fan, let’s put it that way,” he said. “The main character will be brand new because that’s what I want to see. Lots and lots of brand new.”

Filming on Class will begin in the Spring. Are you excited to see what Patrick has in store?