We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
12th Doctor Revealed – What do you Think?
12th Doctor Revealed – What do you Think?
The new Doctor is 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.
lepter
August 4th, 2013 - 8:44pmdont agree. evryone said that about mat smith. I look forward to seeing peter.
HappyZero
August 4th, 2013 - 8:42pmYES! Yes! An older Doctor. it was a bit unnerving last time, being a year older than Matt.
The key to Doctor Who’s longevity is to take a new direction with each regeneration. I can’t wait to see a different Doctor and Peter Capaldi’s take on the Timelord.
Smidge
August 4th, 2013 - 8:41pmMy first reactions were sceptical – but don’t judge a book by it’s cover.
I’ve never really seen him in anything before (apart from Fires of Pompeii) but as his interview went on I realised how good he could actually be.
Going back to an older Doctor will be interesting and I’m fascinated to see how the relationships between the twelfth Doctor and Clara, and River change/develop.
I honestly just can’t wait to see his costume and watch him in action!
lepter
August 4th, 2013 - 8:41pmof course….john pertwee was a spring chicken when he played the doctor. I think he will be good. just hope the writers are up to it.
Anonymous
August 4th, 2013 - 8:37pmVery exciting – top actor! I to am curious about his costume and what his personality will be like…we’ve had a lot of cookie (DT and MS)….so someone a bit more dark will be welcome…but I’ll enjoy the show whatever.
So…if John Hurt is an incarnation of the Doctor but all the official garb is still presenting Peter Capldi as the ’12th’ Doctor….is that just because they are yet to explain the John Hurt incarnation….or are they more twists on the way that ends up removing the John Hurt incarnation from time….?
Exciting times ahead. I’ve been watching the show since 1978 and I have never been so excited as a fan.
Well done Steven Moffat (ignore your critics…a very vocal minority) and Matt Smith (same goes…I watched the great Tom Baker when he was in the role and you are my favourite doctor!).
Anonymous
August 4th, 2013 - 8:36pmSlightly younger by a couple of months.
Simon Duffy
August 4th, 2013 - 8:35pmGreat to see the return to a older Dr. Another younger one would have been a bit odd.
Think Capaldi is a great actor and will be great
drjakeyoung
August 4th, 2013 - 8:35pmHe said ALOT of the fans.
the eternal doctor
August 4th, 2013 - 8:35pmI thing it is a good choice and I am happy that he has got it my mum is so upset she wanted matt smith to stay (she loves him)
I also think that he might not suit Clara
in order my faviroute doctors in order are
.matt smith
.David tenant
,Christopher eccleston
.tom baker
.Patrick troughton
.john pertweet
.Sylvester McCoy
.peter Davison
.William hartnell
.Paul mganan
.coin baker
dose anyone disagree with me
it is a good choice but will always be upset that matt smith is leaving a tear comes from my eye (not really)
Obsie
August 4th, 2013 - 8:34pmNearly everyone is dreading another change over, however just remember that in the last fifty years (just about) everyone always reacts so quickly to this news. After all what would be the alternative : to be cancelled, again?
Silence Will Still Fall
August 4th, 2013 - 8:33pmGreat choice and definitely the right decision to get an older doctor. I really do hate all the negative comments that people write when a new doctor is cast like he’s too old/young (doesn’t matter), he doesn’t look like the doctor (how’s he supposed to look?), he won’t be very good (minority say this every time and are proven spectacularly wrong) it was exactly the same when matt smith came in and look how that turned out (he’s my favourite doctor with pat troughton in 2nd).
Barry Rix
August 4th, 2013 - 8:33pmGreat choice, Peter Capaldi, at 55 a welcome return to an older actor in the role, and he will be fantastic.
GingerDoctorMania
August 4th, 2013 - 8:29pmAll i want to see now is his costume and then i will have a complete verdict on how this doctor `Looks`, hopefully something rather new to THE NEW SERIES.
sheepinafez
August 4th, 2013 - 8:29pmhow can anyone be upset about this its brilliant news he looks like the doctor and he is the doctor and its like his life long dream were about to see a little boys dream come true!
11matt
August 4th, 2013 - 8:27pmwhat do you think his costume will be
Anonymous
August 4th, 2013 - 8:27pmI completely agree with you `The TARDIS`, from what we are hearing so far it is all rather posotive news but we will find out what he is really like next April.
Anonymous
August 4th, 2013 - 8:24pmWell yes of course, im just saying (from what im hearing so far) he reminds me of him. Which is GREAT!
Tom Ballaam
August 4th, 2013 - 8:21pmThe TARDIS, I agree. Why does kissing have to be a priority. It was only a thing from the TV Movie in 1996. Doctor Who lasted 26 years without the Doctor kissing a companion. It got it’s highest ratings when there was no kissing. I don’t understand why age is such a thing for people. Watch some William Hartnell, then rethink….
Anonymous
August 4th, 2013 - 8:20pmI think it wonderful to have a slightly older doctor for the new series, i can actually hints of john pertwee in him;
Hes (of course) older than the previous doctor
He apparently has a rather wise and humorous wit `take` on the doctor
And i know already he has good commitment because he was a fan and i already know hes a great acter.
BEST OF LUCK PETER CAPALDI `The Twelfth Doctor!`
Timelord3
August 4th, 2013 - 8:20pmI’m not saying that stuff myself, I’m just telling people that he will be great and they should stop having pathetic excuses as to why they don’t like him. Personally I think he will be amazing
Doctor Winchester
August 4th, 2013 - 8:19pmAt first I hated 11. But when i got to know him, I loved him. I was heart broken after 10, when I saw 11 I kinda laughed through the tears. I agree with you he is old. But you might love just like you loved 9, 10 and 11.
The TARDIS
August 4th, 2013 - 8:19pmAll I ask is people reserve judgement until he’s played the Doctor. If you then think he is wrong for the role, fair enough.
Alastair
August 4th, 2013 - 8:19pmI think it’s great having an older guy as the next doctor. Peter Capaldi will allow them to explore other areas rather than painting themselves into a corner. I am old enough to remember the raised eyebrows when Peter Davidson – that young vet- was selected and so different from Tom Baker was selected. I have also heard there were loads of complaints when Patric Troughton replaced William Hartnel so give the guy a fair chance and not dismiss him before he has even filmed a sceen.
KORSAIR
August 4th, 2013 - 8:19pmI totally approve, good choice.
TheBritishCupOfTea
August 4th, 2013 - 8:18pmTrust me, he won’t be bad.
The TARDIS
August 4th, 2013 - 8:18pmIf you think he’s too well known, look at Christopher Eccleston.
Doctor Winchester
August 4th, 2013 - 8:17pmI wouldn’t be disappointed. A change is good. The Doctor has always be a man. at least I would like to see the Doctor as a female. It could be a whole new adventure.
ZygonTerror
August 4th, 2013 - 8:17pmAnyone who is saying Peter Capaldi isn’t a good actor must have been watching someone else in shows like ‘The Thick of It’ and ‘Torchwood: Children of Earth’ (which in my opinion he played the best role in TW S3). People are always the same when a new doctor is announced because they don’t like the suddenness of the switchover but its not fair to judge before giving Peter a chance.
The TARDIS
August 4th, 2013 - 8:16pmTo anyone who says he’s a bad actor, go and watch Children of Earth.
The TARDIS
August 4th, 2013 - 8:15pmTo anyone complaining that he is too old…
1) go and watch the classic series.
2) have a good think about it
3) can you still see what’s wrong with old?