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Peter Capaldi named as Doctor Who’s new Time Lord

“Being asked to play The Doctor is an amazing privilege" says Peter Capaldi.

Photo1dw2Peter Capaldi has been revealed as the 12th Doctor in BBC’s Doctor Who.

Proving the rumours true, he was named in a Live BBC special which aired in the UK and was broadcast on ABC1 early this morning.

The 55 year old actor has appeared in The Thick of It, The Hour, Accused, Getting On and World War Z, as well as playing Caecilius in “The Fires of Pompeii” episode of Doctor Who and the “Children of Earth” edition of Torchwood.

“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,” he said.

Capaldi said the show’s longevity was due not just to the 11 actors who had played the lead role and those who had donned its alien costumes, but the viewing audience.

“The real reason Doctor Who is still with us is because every single viewer who ever turned on to watch this show at any age, at any time in its history and their history, took it into their heart because Doctor Who belongs to all of us. Everyone made Doctor Who.

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!”

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.”

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Capaldi is currently filming new BBC One drama series The Musketeers, in which he plays Cardinal Richelieu and will follow from Matt Smith who concludes in this year’s Christmas special. Fans have been kept guessing as to the new identity ever since Smith announced his exit in June -including theories his replacement may even be female.

Doctor Who is currently celebrating its 50th year on television.

Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor will also be available to watch on iview today, and is replayed at 8.30pm tonight on ABC2.

20 Responses

  1. I have no problems with his age. I’m glad I stayed up to watch the special this morning even though I’m paying for it. So to the ABC. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! It was brilliant! Wonderful! Superb! I loved seeing it live.

    Also I just want to say I’ve loved the way Matt Smith has played him. He definitely was the Doctor the first episode. I think he had the best opener of the modern era. I guess we’ll soon see how it will end.

    Lastly did I mention it was brilliant? 😉

  2. Interesting the difference with Aussie fans on here and the Poms. Comments here saying age doesn’t matter and good to have someone older, whereas British fans are outraged saying he’s too old. The Doctor is 900 years old anyway

  3. Ted – well spotted! I knew someone else had come from that episode, but I thought it was Martha, so when I checked her credits and that episode wasn’t among them, I figured I was wrong. Bizarre that it’s turned out this way, though!

  4. I watched (and loved) the special this morning and whilst he’s still not ringing any bells, I think it’s a decent bold new direction to have a more ‘seasoned’ actor. Slightly disappointed it’s not John Hurt but looking forward to seeing where it goes.

  5. Something interesting was posted on another forum, this is the 2nd character to come from the Fires of Pompeii episode, Amy Pond also made her 1st appearance in that episode.

  6. I’ve grown to love each Doctor, they all have their good points and bring something to the history of the show. The age change is likely to see a more mature Doctor and probably less of the sexual tension with the companions, we’ve seen of recent Doctors like David and Matt.

  7. Wow. 2014 is going to be a big year for Peter. He’s also featuring in Disney’s Malificent.

    My goodness – must be the most famous Doctor of them all.

    Even David Tenant didn’t star in anything major at the same time as Doctor Who… Did he?

    I think Eccleston was in Skins at the same time maybe?

  8. This is an obscure reference, but I loved his work in Skins (the original crew). He played one of the parents, and he made me tear up on many occasions. He also nailed the ‘lovable buffoon’ vibe that they’ve been channeling in the last few series, so I think he’ll fit well into Doctor Who. And I’m relieved the Doctor is older, as I hate the romance plot lines. If they can bring back some of the intense drama that they had with Tennant/Donna, or mid Amy/Rory days, I’ll be pleased.

  9. A great choice, as far as I’m concerned. He’s a good actor in the mould of James Nesbitt and David Morrissey, older, not a pretty boy, so storylines shouldn’t be frivolous or romantic and hopefully darker, more adult. He’s also good at comedy or drama, which is needed for the Doctor.

  10. It’s nice change to see a Doctor who is old enough to be a grandfather, as the original Doctor was. I liked Matt Smith but felt he was too young.

  11. I like Peter Capaldi.

    He’s done excellent work on In the Thick of It and made me feel genuinely sorry for his character in the Torchwood specials, but I just can’t picture him with all the doctors eccentricities.

    I guess we’ll see.

  12. Great choice. When I first saw his name mentioned a few days ago, it just felt right.

    I don’t think the “age gap” is going to be an issue. One reason I loved the Doctor and Donna pairing is the lack of romance and the sense of companionship/friendship they had.

  13. Some of the best parts if the new eps of Dr Who have been the frustration and attraction between the Dr and companions. Bit too much of an age gap for this new Dr and Clara. Guess we will have to wait and see.

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