We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
12th Doctor To Be Revealed Live This Sunday 7.00PM
12th Doctor Revealed Live This Sunday 7.00PM
From The BBC…
Back in June we confirmed that Matt Smith would be leaving Doctor Who and since then there’s been intense speculation about who would be taking over the role of the Doctor. But the guesswork and conjecture end this weekend… The BBC will reveal the identity of the next Doctor during a live BBC One show that begins at 7pm on Sunday, 04 August. You can watch a trailer for the programme now!
The news about the announcement has been delivered in the following press release:
Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor
In a special one-off live television event on BBC One this Sunday 4th August at 7pm, the next Doctor will be exclusively revealed to the nation.
Widely regarded as one of the most hotly contested roles in British television, the show’s host Zoe Ball will unveil the 12th Doctor in the first ever interview in front of a live studio audience set against the backdrop of a swirling vortex, amongst Daleks and the TARDIS.
The half hour show will include live special guests, Doctors old and new, as well as companions and celebrity fans.
Excitement will reach fever pitch as they speculate and recall their favourites, plus feature clips and moments from across the show’s 50 year history.
Current Doctor Matt Smith and lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat will both give interviews about one of the biggest roles in TV and set out just what it takes to be the Doctor.
Steven Moffat says: “The decision is made and the time has come to reveal who’s taking over the TARDIS. For the last of the Time Lords, the clock is striking twelve.”
Charlotte Moore, Controller BBC One says: “BBC One is the home of big live events and this special live show is the perfect way to reveal the identity of the next Doctor and share it with the nation. The Doctor is a truly iconic role and I’m more than excited about the booking.”
Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning says: “We can’t wait to unveil the next Doctor with everyone live on BBC1 on Sunday night. Amongst all the speculation and betting, there has been lots of fun and intrigue at work as we’ve been using the codename Houdini as a decoy! It’s the biggest secret in showbiz, even those working with the new Doctor on other projects at the moment have no idea they are in the presence of the 12th incarnation.”
Keep up to date with all the latest news about the show and special guests as we build to the big climax over the next few days and follow www.facebook.com/BBCOne, @ BBCOne and @bbcdoctorwho and bbc.co.uk/doctorwho
The special live show is made by BBC Entertainment and Events for BBC One, Guy Freeman is Executive producer and Pinki Chambers is Executive Commissioning Editor. Commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Controller BBC One.
The show will be simulcast live on BBC America. Doctor Who is produced by BBC Cymru Wales.
Before the announcement we’ll bring you lots more exciting news, including how you can be part of the big reveal!
josh smith
August 4th, 2013 - 9:27ami hope the next doctor is David Harewood
josh smith
August 4th, 2013 - 9:14amDoctor who needs to get back on track and i have ways to fix this.
Longer episodes or more 2 parters: Every story ends the same way. I used to look forward to the next week of doctor who but ever since Steven moffat took over i find it sad at how boring doctor who has become
Too many jokes: it ruins scene and makes it seem childish
Stop ruining Continuity: From the deleted history of the daleks to the John hurt plot it has come out of hand. why is he making a new doctor! Cant he think of anything original
Case
August 4th, 2013 - 4:25amNo matter who it turns out being, I’ll probably be surprised. As an American, there aren’t very many British TV actors I’m familiar with. Out of the actors given out as speculation, I’ve only recognized the man who played Frobisher in Torchwood and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Even then I only know only Ejiofor by name! I may be at a disadvantage because of this, but I think it adds an extra chocolate chip to my proverbial cookie! 🙂
Anonymous
August 3rd, 2013 - 11:04pmAnyone seen misha Collins’ tweet? It says he has some exciting news about the uk and phone boxes. Something along those lines. Check it out
Silence Will Still Fall
August 3rd, 2013 - 11:57pmI would be very very happy with peter capaldi as our 12th doctor. In regards to misha collins’s tweet I’d rather have a british woman as our doctor (surranne jones) over any american because as harsh as this may sound, as soon as the usa get their claws into doctor who it will be the beginning of the end! (i don’t have a problem with an american writer, companion or the odd episode shot in america but the role of our favourite timelord must remain british)
josh smith
August 4th, 2013 - 8:56amthe doctor should be french
thedaleksdeath
August 4th, 2013 - 9:39amI doubt a ”Frenchman” will be the famous Timelord (Plus I hate the way they talk English)
josh smith
August 4th, 2013 - 1:06pmit would befunny. hello i am the Doctur and this is my lovlely assistian Claraaa
phil jones
August 3rd, 2013 - 10:55pmWell I think its going to surprise everyone- welcome back Tennant. That’s put a surprise on or faces hey!!!
Dalek the Supreme
August 4th, 2013 - 6:24amAnd saliva on the show’s face…
thedaleksdeath
August 4th, 2013 - 9:40amIt wouldn’t put a surprising face on me…It’ll give me an angry face 😀
Doctor PSY
August 3rd, 2013 - 10:43pmWhoever it is I don’t REALLY mind the gender, as long as he/she is a good actor who is serious and will take on the role well an confidently…
However I would prefer a man to a woman, it’d just be a bit weird having a female doctor, do you agree?
Did you hear in the paper that Simon Cowell was one of the suspected next doctor as he wa supposedly caught playin with his sonic screwdriver and watching doctor who…
RYCBAR123
August 3rd, 2013 - 9:25pmStill clinging to a tiny hope that it could be Stephen Merchant. Just imagine that, eh? 🙂
im no longer not going to be here
August 3rd, 2013 - 7:03pmi just sent a question for the new doctor doctor
im no longer not going to be here
August 3rd, 2013 - 7:06pmalso the new doctor should be the guy who pkays james potter
David Ponton
August 3rd, 2013 - 7:48pmWell sweetie!!!!!!!!!!
thedaleksdeath
August 3rd, 2013 - 4:54pmThe time has came…WHO will it be….I hope Benedict Cumberbatch or the rumored Rory Kinnear..
Anonymous
August 3rd, 2013 - 5:32pmC, mon Rupert grint!
thedaleksdeath
August 3rd, 2013 - 11:48pm:O HOW COULD FORGET RUPERT!!!!!!!! NOOO!!!!!
ROB STATE
August 3rd, 2013 - 4:42pmEven though, i agree it needs to be an older doctor -for the eleventh regeneration- I think Peter Capaldi,who is in his 50s,would be a bit too old for the role. Which could possibly alienate a large percentage of the younger fanbase. I think an actor in his early – mid forties would be ideal.
Here is my fantasy doctor who choices:
1. Rhys Ifans. he has the presence and the charisma to be the perfect doctor
2. Philip Glenister (imagine Gene-genie firing up the TARDIS!)
3. Andrew Lincoln. (of Teachers and Walking Dead fame)
we need someone that gives the role a bit more weight. The doctor is a Hamlet type figure, which is why David Tennant, Tom Baker and Peter Davison, were so brilliant at it. When Matt does that, he is brilliant, but ive always found the other side of his doctor, a bit cringe-making. I know he was attempting to channel Patrick Troughton’s doctor, but, he has the tendency to overplay his hand. Saying that – a job well done Matt Smith!
Ridley Fan
August 3rd, 2013 - 8:48pmI think Rob has got it right about Matt; I never found his Doctor engaging but I recognised that he had borrowed heavily from Pat Troughton’s characterisation. I think that Peter Capaldi would be an excellent choice and I really believe that the 12th Doctor should be a bit older than the latest incumbents have been. Another choice for me would Denis Lawson a top actor.
dalekdan12345
August 3rd, 2013 - 9:15pmOMG ANDREW LINCOLN!!!! THIS HAS TO BE THE 12th!!!!
Dalek the Supreme
August 4th, 2013 - 6:28amI disagree, the Doctor isn’t just a dark, tragic character, he is also eccentric and ridiculous too. In my opinion, Matt Smith is the Doctor personified: His performance is eccentric, ridiculous, and childish, but also alien, dark, and even manipulative.
DOCTOR WHO ONE
August 3rd, 2013 - 4:02pmAll thou I recently commented my suggests for the 12th Doctor as –
Anthony Stewart Head
Alan Davies
Michael Shanks
There is one actor that has probably never been considered by me personally –
Ian McKellen
I was just watching a few YouTube videos this morning of other fan’s suggests for the 12th Doctor, and Ian was one of them, and I think I wouldn’t mind seeing him in the role as the Doctor. His older for one thing [74], cos it’s getting annoying with the Doctor always been played by younger actors, and I feel he played the X-Men villain Magneto brilliantly, so I feel he has Doctor potential.
And YES, Anthony Stewart Head CAN play the Doctor, read my first comment I wrote somewhere down below for my reason.
the astroanout of death
August 3rd, 2013 - 1:37pmI don’t care if the doctor is fat thin old or young
just as long they are not FEMAILE!
josh smith
August 3rd, 2013 - 1:39pmyes not female
Anonymous
August 3rd, 2013 - 2:58pmEveryone, whatever species has a gender! I’m not going to become a woman! That would be- a word that I can’t use here.
josh smith
August 3rd, 2013 - 1:31pmi hope the next doctor is a young male 20-25
The Supreme Dalek
August 3rd, 2013 - 2:07pmNo no no! I don’t want the show to start having similarities to Twilight. I obviously respect your opinion, but I would prefer an actor aged 30-50. Like David Tennant. 🙂
Dalek the Supreme
August 3rd, 2013 - 3:06pmI thought it would be hard for a younger man to portray such an ancient Time Lord. Then Matt Smith happened. Even still, it would be nice to take a break from younger Doctors and get someone in their 40’s.
josh smith
August 3rd, 2013 - 5:37pmwe need to get the rating up. they lost 2 million viewers in series 7b. with lots of stories only having 6 million views.
we need a young attractive man t gain the female fans again
TheBritishCupOfTea
August 3rd, 2013 - 7:25pmThe reason they ratings went down was due to the early times the episodes were aired, and also the terrible scripts we got in S7.
The Supreme Dalek
August 3rd, 2013 - 8:49pmFine, but if Doctor Who goes Twilight-ish, then I blame the fanbase (excluding me and everyone who agrees that we shouldn’t have an actor between 20-25) 😐
Dalek the Supreme
August 4th, 2013 - 6:30amAsylum of the Daleks, A Town Called Mercy, The Rings of Akhaten, The Crimson Horror, and The Name of the Doctor are some of my all time favorites!
josh smith
August 4th, 2013 - 9:01ami wish RTD never left
The Supreme Dalek
August 4th, 2013 - 9:57amSeries 7 was one of the best, the only reason it is hated is because fans show hatred towards Moffat. Series Three & Six is what you call a bad series.
josh smith
August 4th, 2013 - 1:07pmseries 6 is awful but series 3 is epic!!!
The Supreme Dalek
August 4th, 2013 - 2:55pmSeries 1 and 2 were even better than Series 3, and two wasn’t exactly a great series either. Series 4, 5 and 7 are the all time best and will always be for me.
Anonymous
August 3rd, 2013 - 11:23amI hope the next doctor is an actor in his fiftys
tardis mike
August 3rd, 2013 - 8:02amI’m looking forward to seeing who the new Doctor will be but equally I will be sad to see Matt Smith leave. I’m a bit sad at some of the negative attitude to season 7. I suspect there’s been a bit of jumping on bandwagons. I’ve just re-watched Asylum, Mercy, Bells, Cold and been excited by the strength of the script, the top notch acting and first class production values. This is inventive British television at its best and we all should celebrate it. The magic of Doctor Who is that it’s story telling is so broad that the stories can cater for all tastes. We will all have our favourites but that doesn’t make the ones we prefer less rubbish. I’m proud of the excitement created by Doctor Who and looking forward to seeing the new guy in action.
tardis mike
August 3rd, 2013 - 8:09amPS. I too am celebrating my 50th anniversary this year so feel that I’ve been in this long journey with show too. Like me the show has grown up, matured, had many good times, made some mistakes on the way but is still standing, had great memories but still excited about what the future holds!
Dalek the Supreme
August 4th, 2013 - 6:32amYou just voiced my opinion. Asylum and Rings are on my top ten, and Mercy, Crimson, and Name are also high up.
DOCTOR WHO ONE
August 3rd, 2013 - 7:50amWILLIAM HARTNELL 🙂
The 1st Doctor [1963 – 1966]
PATRICK TROUGHTON 🙂 🙂
The 2nd Doctor [1966 – 1969]
JON PERTWEE 🙂 🙂 🙂
The 3rd Doctor [1970 – 1974]
TOM BAKER 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
The 4th Doctor [1974 – 1981]
PETER DAVISON 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
The 5th Doctor [1981 – 1984]
COLIN BAKER 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
The 6th Doctor [1984 – 1986]
SYLVESTER McCOY 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
The 7th Doctor [1987 – 1989, and 1996]
PAUL McGANN 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
The 8th Doctor [1996]
CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
The 9th Doctor [2005]
DAVID TENNANT 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
The 10th Doctor [2005 – 2010]
MATT SMITH 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
The 11th Doctor [2010 – 2013]
???????????? 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 😉
The 12th Doctor [2013 – ????]
Anonymous
August 3rd, 2013 - 11:20amYou missed out john hurt
josh smith
August 3rd, 2013 - 1:32pmjohn hurt isnt a doctor
The Supreme Dalek
August 3rd, 2013 - 2:08pmJohn Hurt is the Doctor. He’s 8.5 Doctor, between McGann and Eccleston.
DOCTOR WHO ONE
August 3rd, 2013 - 3:55pmThanks Josh Smith 😉
Anonymous
August 3rd, 2013 - 4:21pmWell we don’t know that yet….that is just one theory yet to be confirmed…but what ever incarnation he is, yes – he is the Doctor. Only Moffat could come up with something so daring and clever it turns the entire backstory on its head.
josh smith
August 3rd, 2013 - 5:37pmhe isnt the doctor not in my eyes
the astroanout of death
August 3rd, 2013 - 7:01pmin my eyes he is
“the other doctor”
The Supreme Dalek
August 3rd, 2013 - 8:51pmTo be honest it’s not about who we think and want him to be, it is what Moffat wants him to be and according to the details we have then he is a forgotten incarnation and ‘secret’ of the Doctor.
josh smith
August 4th, 2013 - 9:03amhe isnt the doctor matt smith said he is not the doctor
Granty
August 4th, 2013 - 9:29amJohn hurt isn’t A doctor…he’s not even THE doctor, but he’s the same timelord, at the risk of nit picking…I would genuinely say that john hurts incarnation was the reason he changed his name to the doctor, it would explain why the doctor was so scared of Clara seeing him…that’s the incarnation the doctor was running from for possible 1000 years…
The Supreme Dalek
August 4th, 2013 - 9:56amHe is a Doctor. If he isn’t a Doctor, but is the same Time Lord, then that’s the same thing. Are you trying to say he had a different name? If so, then that’s not what I am talking about. All I am saying is that he is a version of the Doctor, wether he is a forgotten incarnation or something, is unknown.
So he is the Doctor.
josh smith
August 4th, 2013 - 1:08pmno hes the valyard
The Supreme Dalek
August 4th, 2013 - 2:54pmJosh, no one has confirmed that. The ending of The Name of the Doctor specially said Introducing John Hurt As THE DOCTOR.
the astroanout of death
August 4th, 2013 - 2:57pmhe is the 8.5 doctor someone from the production team let it slip
John kohlway
August 3rd, 2013 - 4:56amWhen will we get this in the U.S. Colonies. Is this another timey-whimey thingy….
Anonymous
August 3rd, 2013 - 9:38amon the bbca trailer it said 2pm check the trailer on yt if u want. hope this helps
Liason Ice
August 3rd, 2013 - 3:14amIt’s being broadcast at 4am on Monday in Australia 🙁
How can I handle school if I miss my sleep
Anonymous
August 3rd, 2013 - 9:39amif u have sky plus u can record it
TheBritishCupOfTea
August 3rd, 2013 - 11:36amit’s only 30 minutes long, so go to bed early, set an alarm, wake up at that time then go back to bed after it’s over.
or just record it
Anonymous
August 3rd, 2013 - 10:35pmRecording would be the best thing to do, just record and watch it before you go to school!
Doctor PSY
August 3rd, 2013 - 10:37pmWhoops, usin’ my new phone…
Not logged in…
Dalek the Supreme
August 3rd, 2013 - 2:50amWhoever it is, they’ll have giant boots to fill. Many people said that of Matt Smith when he took over from Tennant, but in my opinion it is the Twelfth Officially Canon Doctor who has much larger boots to fill. I hope you continue to stay such a great actor, Matt Smith.
76 Totters Lane
August 3rd, 2013 - 12:04amI reckon that it will be an actor called Harry, maybe Harry Lloyd, because of the Harry ‘Houdini’ codename.
Anonymous
August 2nd, 2013 - 11:45pmKatherine Kelly or Sheridan Smith
obeythewhispermen
August 2nd, 2013 - 12:26pmsorry I forgot to put my name
Anonymous
August 2nd, 2013 - 12:25pmI want the person who plays Sherlock or Pete firman the magician.
The Supreme Dalek
August 2nd, 2013 - 9:09amI’m so excited, but I hope it is NOT the actor who plays Cecilius and NOT a Female Doctor. If it’s not someone that I want then I hope it’s someone like Tennant or Smith because we didn’t know them much when they were announced. I don’t care how old the actor is though. Ok, maybe I do. Preferebly not over 50. 😆
Anonymous
August 2nd, 2013 - 9:41amWhy not an old actor we need an older man to make the show dark again
dalek 2
August 2nd, 2013 - 10:14amyou can make it dark with a youngish actor id like to see him of harry potter the ginger lad
Some bloke
August 2nd, 2013 - 10:24amHA, rupert grint? Pfft, yeah right, highly unlikely. And I think anonymous is right, we do need a slightly older actor. since 2005 they’ve been getting younger and younger, so I think we need to go into 40-55 territory. 🙂
The Moffat Paradox
August 2nd, 2013 - 10:07pmSeems like it will be Peter Capaldi so I wonder what Moffatt’s thinking and feeling like if the cats already out of the bag? That or he’s chuckling away that everybody’s so wrong.
Oh and maybe, JUST maybe we will see the now infamous trailer that was shown at SDCON in the programme as well.
MONKEY MONK MONK
August 2nd, 2013 - 8:54amYES!!!!!!!!! I’M SO EXCITED
Hector Sandler
August 2nd, 2013 - 8:47amWell one thing I can say since Tom Baker all of Successors have been short lived From Peter Davidson. It look like The Doctor has used up his lifes if the next Doctor last 3 years it like he be finished unless he can have more lives after his 13th. I just hoping the next Doctor should last about 10 years.
DOCTOR WHO ONE
August 2nd, 2013 - 8:16amMY CHOICES FOR THE 12TH DOCTOR
ANTHONY STEWART HEAD – age 59. Best known as Rupert Giles in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. All thou he has played a part in Doctor Who already [Series 2’s ‘School Reunion’ as the Krillitane Brother Lazzar / Mr Finch], it did not stop Colin Baker playing another role before he became the 6th Doctor, so Anthony could still play the part of the 12th Doctor.
ALAN DAVIES – age 47, best known as Johnathan Creek in the series of the same name.
MICHAEL SHANKS – age 42, best known as Doctor Daniel Jackson in the TV series ‘Stargate SG-1’.
Anonymous
August 2nd, 2013 - 9:43amAn older actor would be much better
RORY DOCTOR RIVER POND
August 2nd, 2013 - 8:11amTHE LAST TIME LORD?! Interesting to see who it is, hope it’s not Capaldi as I will look at him and see caecilius. Hope it’s someone not so well known, so they can’t be compared to many other roles and characters
Adam
August 2nd, 2013 - 7:06amI feel guilty! Matt Smith hasn’t even finished his run he is still going strong!! But for god sake, give US 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL DETAILS!!!!!!
The Daleks’ Advocate
August 2nd, 2013 - 8:57amI expect they’ll show the ComicCon trailer, or an improved or extended variant. This may be why they withheld the SDCC trailer.
I sure envy the people who’ll assist to it live! Not so much for the announcement itself as for everything else: Past actors, cosplayers in the public, interviews, possibly a trailer for the anniversary special or some meaty spoilers to get us excited at last… I just hope the 12th Doctor won’t be another white (supposedly) attractive boy(*).
(* If Amy and Clara are ‘girls’, I guess the 11th Doctor looks like a ‘boy’, right?)
drjakeyoung
August 2nd, 2013 - 10:11amWhat’s wrong with a whit man playing the doctor? I agree that the doctor should be older this time, but why not a white doctor?
TheBritishCupOfTea
August 2nd, 2013 - 10:35amImagine Morgan Freeman as the Doctor
The Daleks’ Advocate
August 2nd, 2013 - 2:23pmI don’t mean they necessarily have to change EVERYTHING from the usual young, attractive, white, male Doctor, but for a being who “might have two heads or no head” after a regeneration, why should he always stay a white male? If the Doctor can change hair colour, why couldn’t he change skin colour too? How is getting a second head or no head at all more far-fetched than getting boobs and a hole instead of an excrescence behind the legs?
josh smith
August 3rd, 2013 - 1:34pmbecause girls like to look at attractive boys and boys (like myself) like to look at attractive females (peri). its human nature
MasterKasterborous
August 2nd, 2013 - 6:44amI’ll be at Church so if anyone tells me who it is before I get home and can watch the show there will be consequences!