TV fans are eagerly awaiting David Tennant's return to Doctor Who for the 60th-anniversary specials later this year – but that's not the only role the actor is reprising in the near future.

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Tennant will take to the stage at London's Donmar Warehouse in December to play Macbeth, having previously voiced the Scottish King in a BBC Sounds adaption of the iconic Shakespeare play last year.

Speaking about playing the role on stage, the star has described the prospect as "thrilling and a little bit scary".

"I’m really excited about it," he explained during an interview with Variety.

"It’s been a while since I’ve done Shakespeare. It’s very thrilling but equally — and this analogy probably doesn’t stretch — it’s like when someone prepares for an Olympic event.

"It does feel like a bit of a mountain and, yeah, you’re daring to set yourself up against some fairly worthy competition from down the years. That’s both the challenge and the horror of doing these types of things."

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Tennant also praised "great director" Max Webster, who previously helmed the West End production of Life of Pi, explaining that "he’s full of big ideas".

He concluded: "It’s going to be exciting, thrilling, and a little bit scary. I’m just going to take a deep breath."

Tennant is well-versed in the world of Shakespeare, having performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company on numerous occasions – notably including the 2008 production of Hamlet which was later adapted into a BBC Two TV film.

Other Shakespeare credits on his CV include Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Lysander/Flute in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, and the title character in Richard II.

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight.

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