 Also returning to the series are Neve McIntosh as Madame Vastra , Dan Starkey as Strax and Catrin Stewart as Jenny . All three previously appeared in " A Good Man Goes to War " and reprised their roles both in this episode and in the prequels . They returned due to the popularity of Vastra and Jenny ; Moffat considered a spin @-@ off featuring them , though he did not have the time to do it . Instead , he decided to bring them back in the main series . Richard E. Grant had previously played the Doctor on two occasions , as an alternative Tenth Doctor in the spoof charity special Doctor Who and the Curse of Fatal Death , which was written by Moffat and as an alternative Ninth Doctor in the animated story Scream of the Shalka which had been intended to be a continuation of the series before it was revived in 2005 . Smith commented that Grant was " born to be a Who villain . He pitches it on that perfect level and tone " . Grant 's appearance in Doctor Who was teased by the BBC via Twitter , announcing his appearance at midnight 5 August 2012 . Tom Ward was drawn to his role because of the quality of the script , and also stated his young children were pleased that he appeared in the programme . The Great Intelligence was voiced by Sir Ian McKellen . The two children Clara is governess to , Digby and Francesca , were played by real @-@ life brother and sister Joseph and Ellie Darcey @-@ Alden . 
 Also returning to the series <a href='drop_aux' title='1'><mark>are</mark></a>Neve McIntosh as Madame Vastra , Dan Starkey as Strax and Catrin Stewart as Jenny . All three previously appeared in " A Good Man <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>Goes</mark></a> to War " and reprised their roles both in this episode and in the prequels . They returned due to the popularity of Vastra and Jenny ; Moffat considered a spin @-@ off featuring them , though he did not have <a href='None' title='3'><mark>the</mark></a><a href='negative_concord' title='4'><mark>time</mark></a> to do it . Instead , he decided to bring them back in the main series . Richard E. Grant <a href='been_done' title='5'><mark>had</mark></a> previously played the Doctor on two occasions , as an alternative Tenth Doctor in the spoof charity special Doctor Who and the Curse of Fatal Death , which was written by Moffat and as an alternative Ninth Doctor in the animated story Scream of the Shalka which <a href='been_done' title='6'><mark>had</mark></a> been intended to be a continuation of the series before it was revived in 2005 . Smith commented that Grant was " born to be a Who villain . He <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>pitches</mark></a> it on that perfect level and tone " . Grant <a href='null_genetive' title='8'><mark>'s</mark></a>appearance in Doctor <a href='null_relcl' title='9'><mark>Who</mark></a>was teased by the BBC via Twitter , announcing his appearance at midnight 5 August 2012 . Tom Ward was drawn to his role because of the quality of the script , and also stated his young children <a href='uninflect' title='10'><mark>were</mark></a> pleased that he appeared in the programme . The Great Intelligence was voiced by Sir Ian McKellen . The two children Clara <a href='drop_aux' title='11'><mark>is</mark></a>governess to , Digby and Francesca , <a href='uninflect' title='12'><mark>were</mark></a> played by real @-@ life brother and sister Joseph and Ellie Darcey @-@ Alden . 
Also returning to the series Neve McIntosh as Madame Vastra , Dan Starkey as Strax and Catrin Stewart as Jenny . All three previously appeared in " A gud Man Go to War " and reprised their roles both in this episode and in da prequels . They returned due to the popularity of Vastra and Jenny ; Moffat considered a spin @-@ off featuring them , doe he did not have no time to do it . Instead , he decided to bring them bacc in tdamain series . Richard E. Grant done previously played the Doctor on 2 occasions , as an alternative Tenth Doctor in the spoof charity special Doctor Who and thdaurse of Fatal Death , which was written by Moffat and as an alternative Ninth Doctor in the animated story Scream of thedaalka which done been intended to be a continuation of the daies b4 it was revived in 2005 . Smith commented dat Grant was " born to b a Who villain . He pitch it on tdatbumpin level and tone " . Grant  appearance in Doctor was teased by the BBC via Twitter , announcing his appearance at midnight 5 August 2012 . Tom Ward was drawn to his role because of the quality of the sdapt , and also stated his young children was pleased thdate appeared in the programme . The Grda Intelligence was voiced by Sir Ian McKellen . The twodaildren Clara governess to , Digby and Francesca , was played by real @-@ life brother and sis Joseph and Ellie Darcey @-@ Alden .