The 12th Doctor is Peter Capaldi. Who?

Yes, Peter Capaldi is the next Doctor Who as announced live August 4, 2013 on both BBC and BBCAmerica. But if you are like me, your initial reaction might have been “Who?”

Very familiar to UK audiences as having just completed playing Malcolm Tucker from 2005 – 2012 in the BBC Comedy The Thick of It, the 55 year old Scottish actor and director isn’t perhaps as well known on this side of the pond.

Capaldi has an impressive body of work according to his wikipedia page though and was the odds on favorite for taking over the role recently vacated by Matt Smith.  A life-long fan of Doctor Who, he has appeared in the series before – Capaldi played Roman merchant Caecilius in 2008 Doctor Who adventure The Fires of Pompeii.

Jenna Coleman will continue to play companion Clara when Capaldi takes over and said: “I’m so excited Peter Capaldi is the man taking on the challenge of becoming the 12th Doctor.”

According to Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat, Capaldi was actually considered to take over from David Tenant instead of Matt Smith but the “timing wasn’t right”. Capaldi was always Moffat’s first choice though internet speculation ran wild prior to the announcement and taped home vido of Capaldi as the Doctor that to garner the approval of BBC executives.

Smith’s final episode will the be the 2013 Christmas Special with no word on how the regeneration to Capaldi will occur, but Smith had very favorable words for his successor saying: “I wish my successor all the best and say good luck and good on you for getting it, because I know he’s both a huge fan of the show and a really nice guy,” he said.

“The casting made me ready excited and as a fan I think it’s a canny choice. If I had to pick someone, I’d pick him because I think he’s great. I’m excited because I know what’s coming and he’s going to have a blast.”

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