During a live broadcast on BBC America, Peter Capaldi was announced as the 12th regeneration of the Doctor. Capaldi will be taking over the 11th Doctor, Matt Smith’s, role in the upcoming Doctor Who Christmas special later this year. The 55 year old Scottish actor is not at all new to the Doctor Who cast. Capaldi starred as a merchant in an episode of Doctor Who where Donna and the 10th Doctor, David Tennant, time travel to Rome.
My thoughts on the new Doctor? I’m fairly excited to see what Peter Capaldi will bring to the series. Peter Capaldi recently starred in the movie World War Z as a World Health Organization doctor (ironic?) and I was pleased with his performance. Peter’s role in World War Z wasn’t at all quirky and fun like the Doctor but that’s the great thing about all of the regenerations… you just never know what to expect. In the end though, it really is the same wonderful alien that would do anything to save the human race. At 55, Peter is quite a bit older than the last 3 men who played the Doctor. Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, and Matt Smith were young, attractive, and appealed to the new generation when Doctor Who was first rebooted in 2005. With the announcement of an older gentleman as the next Doctor, some new fans of the British sci-fi show aren’t too happy with the new choice. Doctor Who has never been about the appearance of the man but his personality and the love and hope he has for Earth. I believe that the producers are trying to show the new generation just that by choosing an older man as the new Doctor.
I think Peter Capaldi is a great choice. Peter appears very passionate about his new role and I’m excited about his performance as the 12th Doctor.