Doctor Who darker than ever in new season trailer

It might be a show in its sixth decade, but it appears Doctor Who isn't slowing down any time soon judging by a new trailer for its next season.

The clip for the new series of Doctor Who premiered today, launching to coincide with a panel at the San Diego Comic-Con.

Peter Capaldi returns as The Doctor, while Jenna Coleman is back for her third season as companion Clara.

A scene from the new Doctor Who trailer.

"Every time I think it couldn't get any more extraordinary, it surprises me," The Doctor narrates.

"It's impossible, I hate it, it's evil, it's astonishing. I want to kiss it to death."

The dark trailer teases the return of the Daleks, Zygons and The Master, played by Michelle Gomez.

It also teases the much-hyped appearance of Maisie Williams, better known as Arya Stark on Game of Thrones.

The trailer ends with her removing her helmet, quipping to The Doctor "What took you so long, old man?"

Her mysterious character will appear in the fifth episode, The Girl Who Died.

No further information was revealed during the panel, though Peter Capaldi suggested he could do an episode in drag in response to suggestions that the next Doctor to be a woman.

A scene from the new Doctor Who trailer.

The new season premieres September 19 in the UK, and will run for 12 episodes.

- nzherald.co.nz