Peter Capaldi has hinted Maisie Williams could be Doctor Who's new companion.

Peter Capaldi as the Doctor

Peter Capaldi as the Doctor

The sci-fi star's current assistant Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman, will leave the role during the current series and now the 'Game of Thrones' star, who recently appeared as Ashildr in the programme, is expected to replace her.

Refusing to confirm or deny whether she will take the role when asked whether she would be his next companion, Peter Capaldi said: "I can't answer questions like that but Maisie is fantastic, she's been in 'Game of Thrones' since she was 12 and is very assured.

"I was doing a shot with her and when they called 'action' she slightly pulled me back. When I asked her what she was doing she said, 'You were in my light.' But she is lovely."

The 18-year-old actress is best known for playing Arya Stark in 'Game of Thrones' and will make another appearance in Saturday's (21.11.15) episode of 'Doctor Who' in which Peter - who has played the Doctor since 2014 - hinted Clara will be leaving.

Speaking on 'The Graham Norton Show' - which airs tonight (20.11.15) on BBC One at 10.40pm - about the next episode, he revealed: "It's a sad one, gripping and very strange. And it's the end of the line for Clara Oswald played by Jenna Coleman who's been my companion for the last two years.

"It's the end of her story. I don't want to go into the details of it, but it's sad.

"Sometimes people can't come back. Sometimes things happen that they can't come back from."