And The 12th Doctor Is…

London —

With a huge crowd of fans gathered together for the announcement, the BBC aired its Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor special today, revealing the next actor to play the role of the titular Time Lord. In attendance were 3 of the actors who have played the role; 5th Doctor Peter Davidson, 6th Doctor Colin Baker, and of course, the man passing the torch to his successor, the 11th Doctor, Matt Smith.

“Yes, yes, we know all that”, I can hear you say, “Quit setting the stage and get to the bloody point!”

Fair enough. Without further ado, the 12th Doctor is… Peter Capaldi.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Peter Capaldi is no stranger to science fiction or Doctor Who for that matter, starring in “The Fires Of Pompeii” during David Tennant’s run as the Doctor, but he is also known for his genre appearances in Torchwood, Neverwhere and THE LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM. Of course he is also a fine dramatic and comedic actor, with a varied career reaching back to his wonderful role in 1983’s LOCAL HERO.

This also marks a return to an older Doctor, with Capaldi being 55 years old, the same age as William Hartnell, the 1st Doctor, when he originated the role in 1963. This makes a change from the last few actors to play the role, with Matt Smith the youngest at 27 when he took over the part.

As you might imagine, the internet is erupting, with those excited about the casting singing its praises, and those who were hoping for the first black or female Doctor with, as far as I can see, a wide range of opinions, some good, some not so much, but of course the best thing to do is wait and see what and where Doctor Who and Peter take us.

I’ll leave off with these words from the man himself:

“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.”

Ladies and Gentlemen… the 12th Doctor.

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