The 50th anniversary of Doctor Who is more than three months away, but millions of people from around the world tuned in Sunday to find out who’ll take the show into the next 50 years. The next Doctor is….
Peter Capaldi, who had been considered the favorite for some time. Here’s the interview he had with BBC presenter Zoe Ball. There might be some spoilers…
Capaldi is the same age as William Hartnell in 1963, and once was part of a punk band with Craig Ferguson. He had been on the show before in 2008 in “The Fires of Pompeii”, and is best known for his role as Malcom Tucker in The Thick of It. He also won an Oscar for writing and directing a short film called Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful Life.
Matt Smith, who will soon leave Doctor Who, had this message: “I just want to wish my successor all the best, and just say good luck, and good on you for getting it. I know he’s both a good fan of the show, and a really nice guy. I think the casting of it made me really excited genuinely, and as a fan I think it’s a really canny choice. I think he’ll be a hit, so good luck, man.”
Now, who’s going to explain Comic-Con to our new Doctor?
Capaldi will make his first appearance on the Christmas special on BBC America. Before that, the 50th anniversary special will be shown November 23rd on BBC America and BBC One, and simulcast around the world.
It’s the first time since 1986 that a new Doctor was announced in a special TV interview. Click here to see how the Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy, was introduced to US audiences.
