Piper first played Tyler on the sci-fi show when the Doctor character was portrayed by Christopher Ecclestone.

She continued to play the part when David Tennant assumed the Doctor role and left the series last year when her character was transported to a parallel universe, leaving the door open for a possible return.

Piper will be seen in three episodes during the upcoming season, which is slated to begin in March and which will consist of 13 installments.

There will be three "Dr. Who" specials in 2009 before the show goes on hiatus until 2010, the BBC said.