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August 4th, 2013 425 comments

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12th Doctor Revealed – What do you Think?

12th Doctor Revealed – What do you Think?

The new Doctor is Peter Capaldi!

Peter-Capaldi

So the wait is over and we now know who will take over from Matt Smith in the Christmas Special – so what do you think?


In a special live broadcast, the BBC today announced that the role of Doctor Who would next be played by Peter Capaldi.

Amid much hype and speculation, Peter Capaldi was unveiled as the next Doctor during a special live television event on BBC ONE tonight.

Widely regarded as one of the biggest roles in British television, Capaldi will be the Twelfth Doctor and takes over from Matt Smith who leaves the show at Christmas.

Peter Capaldi says: “Being asked to play The Doctor is an amazing privilege. Like the Doctor himself I find myself in a state of utter terror and delight. I can’t wait to get started.”

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer says : “It’s an incendiary combination: one of the most talented actors of his generation is about to play the best part on television. Peter Capaldi is in the TARDIS!”

Doctor Who companion, Jenna Coleman says “I’m so excited Peter Capaldi is the man taking on the challenge of becoming the Twelfth Doctor. With Steven’s writing and his talent I know we’ll be making an amazing show with an incredible incarnation of number 12. I can’t wait to start this new adventure!”

Charlotte Moore, Controller BBC One says : “Peter Capaldi has all the genius and versatility needed to take on the mantel of the great Time Lord and make the role his own. He’ll bring his own particular wisdom, charisma and wit to the Twelfth Doctor and take the show into an exciting new era.”

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning says : “We started thinking Peter Capaldi might be the right person to take on this iconic part a few months ago. But it was only when he did a secret audition at Steven’s house under the cover of darkness that we knew we had our man. He’s an extraordinarily talented actor who can seemingly turn his hand to anything. We can’t wait to premiere his unique take on the Doctor on Christmas Day and we are sure he’s going to become one of the all-time classic Doctors.”

Rankin exclusively shot Peter Capaldi this morning, picture available from www.bbcpictures.com

Doctor Who is produced by BBC Cymru Wales

BIOGRAPHY

Peter Capaldi is an award winning actor, film maker and lifelong Doctor Who fan.

He has enjoyed an illustrious career to date in both film and television.

Before securing the coveted role of the Twelfth Doctor, Peter first appeared in Doctor Who in 2008, playing Caecilius in the episode “The Fires of Pompeii”.

Peter grew up in Glasgow and attended the Glasgow School of Art, while studying there he secured his first breakthrough role in Local Hero (1983). He has also had roles in Dangerous Liaisons, The Crow Road, The Devil’s Whore and Torchwood: Children of Earth.

It is his role as Government spin doctor Malcolm Tucker in the BBC comedy series, The Thick of It , that has earned Peter both international and award success. In 2010 he won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Male Performance in a Comedy Role and the BPG Best Actor Award. In both 2010 and 2012, Peter won the British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actor. A film spin-off from The Thick of It, entitled In the Loop, was released in 2009.

As well as appearing in front of the camera, Peter is an award winning film maker. In 1995, he won the Oscar for Best Short Film (Live Action) for Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful Life. He also wrote Soft Top, Hard Shoulder, which won the audience award at the London Film Festival, and wrote and directed Strictly Sinatra. Peter’s stage credits include Professor Marcus in The Ladykillers at the Liverpool Playhouse, which saw the play transfer to the Gielgud Theatre in London.

2013 has been a busy year for Peter who has been seen on screen in the film World War Z and in BBC Two drama series The Hour, for which he was BAFTA nominated. Not only will Peter film his first scenes for Doctor Who this Autumn, but he will appear in the forthcoming film The Fifth Estate and the Disney film Maleficent.

Peter is currently filming new BBC One drama series The Musketeers, in which he plays Cardinal Richelieu which will launch in early 2014.


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425 comments

  • Anonymous

    August 4th, 2013 - 11:51pm

    what the hell noooooooooooo why did it have to be him.

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      August 5th, 2013 - 12:59am

      i know down hill now

    • Anonymous

      August 5th, 2013 - 6:30am

      seriously wished for someone a little younger

    • josh smith

      August 5th, 2013 - 8:16am

      yes! the doctor is supposed to look younger but is getting older. what is the point of regeneration into someone woes nearly dead

    • bob

      August 5th, 2013 - 9:10am

      Have you ever seen the thick of it, this guys amazing, great choice.

    • Anonymous

      August 5th, 2013 - 11:04am

      Someone who is nearly dead? How inexplicably rude! The doctor shouldn’t be any age, the doctor Has been portrayed by most age groups and needs variety to keep it interesting and fresh. Peter capaldi is the same age as the first doctor and I for one am glad to move back closer to a classic series doctor 🙂

    • the astroanout of death

      August 5th, 2013 - 12:13pm

      it is not about age

      it is about there doctor and peter is a great actor so I have no doubt and no dr who will not go down hill

    • Dalek The Supreme

      August 5th, 2013 - 11:37pm

      It’s about how good an actor he is. Take Matt Smith, I heard him say in interviews that people thought he was too young, and he’s shown many fans (Myself included) everyone he’s a talented actor capable of playing a 1,000+ year old alien.

  • Sam Bentley

    August 4th, 2013 - 11:31pm

    I’ll be honest – I specifically didn’t want it to be him. Not because he wouldn’t make a good Doctor – he’s going to do a fantastic job – but because he has been in Who, Torchwood and he was the bookies favourite.

    I’m sure he is going to be brilliant, however, and I can’t wait to meet Twelve. I’m hoping he brings the Sonic Cane back to use all the time – as well as the Sonic Screwdriver. It’d also be nice to see the return of the Question Mark collared shirt.

    Reply
    • The Doctor

      August 8th, 2013 - 10:16pm

      a time lord can remember a face and take a similor one this is what is happening and the 6th doctor was in a 5th doctor episode and shot him

  • Doctor.Who-the 15thDoctor

    August 4th, 2013 - 11:23pm

    Is everyone forgeting capaldi’s role as john frobisher in doctor who spin off torchwood children of earth, he was so dark and passionate in the way he took that role. He will Be a perfect doctor……also completely off the point, in an episode (I can’t remember which one) the doctor said he had 100’s of regenerations left so capaldi isn’t the last doctor, there will Be many more to come Δ§Δ.
    DOCTOR WHO™ rules

    Reply
    • matparks08

      August 5th, 2013 - 11:04am

      Capaldi was indeed amazing in Children of Earth – when it was originally shown I found his performance gripping and very believable. I’m VERY excited about the future of the show – can’t wait!

    • Dalek The Supreme

      August 5th, 2013 - 11:39pm

      The Master was at the end of his life when he was in his 13th regeneration in The Deadly Assassin and The Keeper of Trakken, but River Song gave the Doctor her remaining regenerations, meaning we have twelve Doctors after Matt Smith, starting with Peter Capaldi.

    • The Doctor

      August 8th, 2013 - 10:18pm

      dalek the supreme it dose not matter any way those 12 wont matter anyway when the timelords made a law that you only regenrate 13 times but the time war happened and the doctor does not aply to that law any more

    • Dalek the Supreme

      August 10th, 2013 - 5:31am

      The Doctor, when did was that mentioned on-screen??? I’ve heard tons of people say this, but they never give any proof! Sorry if I sound a little grumpy, but it’s something that exasperates me…

  • stone

    August 4th, 2013 - 11:03pm

    The new Doctor Who is Glaswegian.

    The first episode will see him in his hometown, fighting hordes of Cidermen.

    Reply
  • Scott the Raptor

    August 4th, 2013 - 11:02pm

    To all you haters out there, listen to this please;

    1. Peter Capaldi is a well known actor. He has been chosen for many roles which means he will play it brilliantly. They wouldn’t cast him if he wasn’t good enough.

    2. I’m not sure how people can say that they don’t like him. They’ve seen him in an interview, that’s all. Matt’s Doctor is nothing like Matt in an interview!

    3. He is the same age as William Hartnell when he first got the job. So he’s not too old. The Doctor’s can’t keep getting younger unless we want a 5 year old eventually playing the part!

    4. How can you not picture him with Daleks and Cybermen? He is The Doctor, darker, fresher, and newer.

    In a nutshell; Peter Capaldi is the Twelfth Doctor, so you’ll have to get used to him!

    Reply
    • josh smith

      August 5th, 2013 - 8:17am

      the doctor should be a teenager.

    • Professor When

      August 5th, 2013 - 8:30am

      As a teenager who loves Doctor Who… I intensely Disagree, Josh Smith! 🙂

    • Anonymous

      August 5th, 2013 - 11:15am

      I feel like teenager is the one age group the doctor should never be

    • Scott the Raptor

      August 5th, 2013 - 1:45pm

      No, Josh, just no. The BBC should keep The Doctor over 35 from now on.

    • Dalek The Supreme

      August 5th, 2013 - 11:42pm

      I think the Doctor could be a teenager IF, and only if, that teenager was a great actor, and I mean great enough to capture the pain and age and loneliness of a 1,000+ year old. Basically, a teenage Matt Smith. 😀

  • Matt parker

    August 4th, 2013 - 10:58pm

    Great choice. Capaldi is same age now as Hartnell was when he started as Doctor Who. If stories are good we may return to a golden age of Who. Hope so!

    Reply
  • Susan

    August 4th, 2013 - 10:30pm

    Good choice. But why couldn’t the BBC have waited and revealed the new doctor in the next episode rather than make us sit through what was a tedious programme? It now makes the anniversary episode a bit of an anti-climax, which is a real shame.

    Reply
    • Scott

      August 5th, 2013 - 12:16am

      But he won’t be revealed in the 50th anyway

  • DylanapDavros

    August 4th, 2013 - 10:27pm

    I agree also with the comments of “tombakerremindsmeofmydad.com”. The ideas for storylines & even humour in Doctor Who are endless. I believe the storylines could improve for the shows sake, especially with a new Doctor. For nostalgia i would love to see the Doctor meet up with Unit from 70s again (obviously a different sargeant would be covering for lethbridge stewarts abscence as he and his immediate comrads are away on a mission at the time). The scope & ideas for the show are endless

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    August 4th, 2013 - 10:25pm

    Im glad we have an older actor because now the show can become dark again

    p.s if john hurt is a past doctor than tecnecly speaking peter is the 13th. But richard hurdnell played the 1st doctor in the five doctors and what about the valyard or the watcher or the dream lord. What about the brain of morbious doctors( no they are not morbious they are the doctor!) so tecnecly speaking how many lives has the doctor had?

    Reply
    • josh smith

      August 5th, 2013 - 8:18am

      the valyard is an amalgamation of the dark side of the doctors mind.

      the watcher is just the doctor longing out his death it was actually the 5th doctor

      and john hurt isnt the doctor

    • Professor When

      August 5th, 2013 - 8:31am

      But I thought it said:

      Introducing
      JOHN HURT
      as
      THE DOCTOR

    • Anonymous

      August 5th, 2013 - 8:55am

      But what about richard hurdnell in the five doctors or the past faces from the brain of morbious( no they were not morbious)

    • Dalek The Supreme

      August 5th, 2013 - 11:45pm

      Josh Smith, like it or not, John Hurt IS the Doctor, or at least a part of him like the Valeyard and the Dream Lord. And it was never confirmed onscreen that those were the Doctor’s past incarnations. I assume they’re Morbius’s because then it would mean that Matt Smith’s, David Tennant’s, Chistopher Eccleston’s, and probably Paul McGann’s and Sylvester McCoy’s Doctors shouldn’t exist.

    • Dalek The Supreme

      August 5th, 2013 - 11:46pm

      They could also be The Other, a being that may or may not have been the Doctor and was referenced in the later Sylvester McCoy years, if you remember the Cartmel Masterplan.

  • pug dalek

    August 4th, 2013 - 10:22pm

    The doctor not a she no voimat on the frool or upset dr who is like 1975-1979 not 1989 tax bbc zygons to hahhpy days

    Reply
  • drjakeyoung

    August 4th, 2013 - 10:12pm

    How long do yo think he will stay? And how about a new title sequence?

    Reply
    • DylanapDavros

      August 4th, 2013 - 10:30pm

      As he looks simular to Tom Baker, Would love to see his face used on the 4th Doctor intro scenes

    • The 14th Doctor

      August 4th, 2013 - 10:43pm

      I for one hope the titles don’t change. We’ve only had them for half a series lol. If they change too much it looks unprofessional. Obviously Peter Capaldi’s face has to be put on there though.

    • The TARDIS

      August 5th, 2013 - 8:12am

      I’d love a new title sequence – the one we’ve got currently is FOUL.

    • Dalek The Supreme

      August 5th, 2013 - 11:48pm

      I like the title sequence, though the graphics need improvement. I do think it should stay a while since we’ve only had them for half a season.

  • Doctordredd67

    August 4th, 2013 - 10:09pm

    Well Done….A great choice ( and another Scottish actor plays the Doctor ).
    I can see him playing the role as good as David Tennant, and my family and I are really looking forward to seeing him in action next year( after his intro in the this years xmas special )

    Reply
  • The Daleks’ Advocate

    August 4th, 2013 - 10:02pm

    I’m underwhelmed. I’m glad they went for an older and not so attractive actor, but all this hype for a mere casting announcement? I really hoped for a trailer for the 50th Anniversary. 🙁

    Reply
  • Dalek the Supreme

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:53pm

    Glad we have an older Doctor, and this is coming from someone who’s Doctor is Matt Smith. I haven’t seen The Fires of Pompeii in a long time, but I’m sure he’ll be great. Anyone else notice he’s the second Peter who played the Doctor and the second actor to appear in Doctor Who before taking the role?

    Reply
    • thedaleksdeath

      August 4th, 2013 - 10:07pm

      Nope Colin Baker did the same thing.

    • TheDoctorWhoGeek

      August 4th, 2013 - 10:09pm

      Yeahhh thedaleksdeath… that’s why he said the second… 😛

    • MadManWithABox

      August 4th, 2013 - 10:17pm

      Both Colin baker and Karen Gillian have had roles before landing major parts

    • Moodbeam

      August 4th, 2013 - 10:22pm

      If we’re being pedantic Freema Agyeman also appeared in Who before before landing the part of Martha.

      I noticed we had another Peter there to welcome him! I thought that was a coincidence too. 😛

    • Dalek The Supreme

      August 5th, 2013 - 11:49pm

      I did specify The Fires of Pompeii.

  • DylanapDavros

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:51pm

    Well Done BBC
    Being a lifelong fan of the show (since about 1975) i would like to say how chuffed to bits i am with tonights announcement and a very”Big Congratulations to Peter Capaldi”, a superb actor. He not only looks like Doctor Who, he really is the Doctor!
    He is so perfect for the Part in so many ways, it will be refreshing to see in the 50th Anniversary a more mature actor taking the helms of the Tardis, feels like the show is returning to its roots ,the very first series where an older actor took on the role. Capaldi has a very Tom Bakerish look to him (my favourite Doctor to date). Im sure he will bring a grainyness to the show, i am very excited to see him take on the role, he will be excellent, hopefully the best. Good luck Peter & watch out for those Daleks. And to any of those cynics & doubters out there, watch the classic episodes, you will then realise how perfect he really is for the part. In the lyrics of John Lennon..”C’mon)
    Ev’rybody’s talkin’ ’bout
    Minister, Sinister, Banisters and Canisters,
    Bishops, Fishops, Rabbis, and Pop Eyes, Bye bye, Bye byes
    All we are saying is give “Pete” a chance
    All we are saying is give “Pete” a chance.

    “long live the Doctor”

    Reply
    • tombakerremindsmeofmydad.com

      August 4th, 2013 - 10:07pm

      I am in complete agreement. Give the guy a chance you doubtors. I am hoping that an actor of his maturity and calibre will encourage the writers to pull their finger out. Matt Smith was a great Dr, but his storylines were sometimes lacking. Especially in the last couple of series. Sad to see him go, but I have expectations from our new Dr.

    • tombakerremindsmeofmydad.com

      August 4th, 2013 - 10:13pm

      Meant to say HIGH expectations. Doh!!

    • Dalek The Supreme

      August 5th, 2013 - 11:53pm

      I have high expectations for him not just because of the quality of the previous Doctor, but also because of the quality of the scripts, Moffat wrote some of my all time favorites.

  • JennaColemanCanNeverLeaveDoctorWho

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:43pm

    I think people should give him a chance but I must admit, the fact that he is older than 9, 10 & 11 is something that I will have to get used to- and the fact that river is his wife and they may have a scene that Moffat has already written where they kiss us something to think about but clara says the TARDIS is a ‘snog box’ and she said that she would be the judge of that however the new doctor is about 28 years older than her. And I believe that the new doctor is not the mad man she fell in love with. But I felt the same feeling when matt smith started and I have grown to live him. I believe I could maybe do the same so GIVE HIM A CHANCE DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER!

    Reply
    • The 14th Doctor

      August 4th, 2013 - 9:49pm

      Actually, Alex Kingston is closer to his age, by far than Matt Smith’s.

    • JennaColemanCanNeverLeaveDoctorWho

      August 5th, 2013 - 10:29am

      Yeh, but still, something to think about. I do get the matt smith and Alex Kingston age difference but with Jenna. I do feel with an older doctor you need an older companion which means that Jenna may leave soon which will be quite annoying because she is a really great companion and has only been on for half a series.
      I shall still say congrats to him and good luck.

    • Lalalalala

      August 6th, 2013 - 7:19pm

      We’ve had Doctor’s with much younger companions before. I think the age gap was especially apparent with Hartnell of course, but think about Adric and Jaimie and Perri and Ace. And c’mon – Rose was NINETEEN and besides the fact that the Doctor is 900+ years old, Chris E. was 20 years older than her to begin with… and DT was 15 years her senior. Age difference doesn’t seem to matter all that much in a Companion. Almost EVERYONE is going to be younger than he is – he’s 900 years old!! 😉

  • Anonymous

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:27pm

    Sadly I fear that he may be the last Doctor we’re going to get, at least for a good few years. If the ratings (and don’t deny it, they ARE going down) and quality of the scripts carry on as they have been, I dunno what the not too distant future holds for DW.

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      August 4th, 2013 - 10:17pm

      Relax as long as the show keeps makeing money it’s safe

    • Moodbeam

      August 4th, 2013 - 10:25pm

      Doctor Who is in no trouble at all. I wish people would stop scaremongering like this. The show is one of the best performing programmes the BBC airs each year, add on top of that the global attention is has been garnering in recent years and all the merchandise licenses they shift off the back of it… Doctor Who will be around for many years to come.

    • Anonymous

      August 4th, 2013 - 10:40pm

      ^ Moodbeam, Remember when the Impossible Astronaut aired and we were all worried it got an overnight of 6.5 mil? Well, the FINAL Figures are around that mark now. People are turning off. We’ve lost about two million viewers in the UK, and it seems to be dropping further.

    • Moodbeam

      August 4th, 2013 - 11:36pm

      Series seven did absolutely fine and once iPlayer views are counted (which is coming into effect) the overnights will increase. There really is no need to worry at all. DW is one of the BBC’s best performing shows, there is no way they’d axe it in it’s current state.

  • The Moffat Paradox

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:21pm

    While older but more respected as an actor than his 2 predecessors I hope as the series enters it’s 6th decade he can take it back to its more classic roots than of late while still moving it on.Think you need a new Executive Producer for that though.

    Reply
  • The 14th Doctor

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:20pm

    So glad they’ve gone for older. PROPER older at that. He’ll be brilliant.

    I couldn’t believe it when his name was announced! For the first time ever, the bookies and fansites were actually right!

    Reply
  • timelord327

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:19pm

    Finally! Moff made a good choice in Doctor who. Lets hope this continues!

    Reply
  • the astroanout of death

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:19pm

    I don think anyone needs to worry

    Reply
    • the astroanout of death

      August 4th, 2013 - 9:20pm

      the doctor who team normally makes right choices

  • Celia

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:18pm

    Having said that, I’m gutted Matt has left, just as I was when David left, and Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker, they all bring something unique to the role. Dr Who – Live long and prosper and may the force be with you!

    Reply
    • dalek galt

      August 5th, 2013 - 9:58am

      i wasnt sad tennent left but i was when ecclston did and i will be smith leves

    • Lalalalala

      August 6th, 2013 - 7:21pm

      Yeah, I’m still not over Tom Baker… 🙂

    • dalek galt

      August 10th, 2013 - 8:37pm

      im not over ecclston yet

  • ILOVEJENNALOUISECOLEMAN

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:17pm

    a good choice want to see him act first though before I decide for certain but think he is that type of character that is going to suprise us all and do great what do you think booboo ?

    Reply
    • booboo

      August 4th, 2013 - 9:41pm

      very happy so far, would like to go back to a more serious Doctor, i think he would do that very well

  • the astroanout of death

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:15pm

    I wonder how all the bookies new it was going to be him

    Reply
    • RORY DOCTOR RIVER POND

      August 5th, 2013 - 9:50am

      coincidence? I think not!

  • The Doctor

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:12pm

    A great choice.

    Reply
  • Celia

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:12pm

    As someone who has been a fan of the Doctor since the first episode, I don’t really care who plays him, as long as River keeps turning up! Peter Capaldi wiill capture your hearts just as they all have, some more, some less. Please stop raining on his parade!

    Reply
  • the astroanout of death

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:09pm

    I cant imagine river flirting with him

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      August 4th, 2013 - 9:13pm

      A good thing I think lol.

    • poobar73

      August 4th, 2013 - 9:21pm

      That is a good thing 🙂

    • The TARDIS

      August 4th, 2013 - 9:25pm

      Well… River did say in Silence in the Library that her Doctor had old eyes… Could be Capaldi’s Doctor.

    • RORY DOCTOR RIVER POND

      August 4th, 2013 - 9:58pm

      i thought iver isnt coming bak

    • Anonymous

      August 4th, 2013 - 10:41pm

      Actually, if you think about it, Alex Kingston is much closer in age to Peter than she was Matt.

  • thedaleksdeath

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:08pm

    VERY VERY happy with the choise the “Grand Moff” made fantastic actor nice to see an older Doctor like the Hartnell era going to be ooking forward for his introduction in the xmas episode and his new series 8 with Clara! Good luck Peter!

    Reply
  • booboo

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:04pm

    For the record i couldn’t Be Happier with the choice.

    Reply
    • The New Doctor

      August 4th, 2013 - 9:06pm

      im not sure, but just watched video on official site:
      Hello There!
      I’mPeter Capaldi!
      And I’m the NEW Doctor!
      MAGIC!!

  • Doctor Stu

    August 4th, 2013 - 9:00pm

    Glad he is the doctor, but please Steven Moffat don’t say that the Doctor entering his time stream scattered doctors everywhere and one ended up in Pompeii as whatever his name was. Glad he got the part and I hope he has a great time playing one of Britains most iconic roles

    Reply
    • KEITH PHILIP SOLLEY

      August 5th, 2013 - 1:20am

      i was thinking exactly the same thing!

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