The Twelfth Doctor of the BBC television series Doctor Who was portrayed by Peter Capaldi.
Peter Dougan Capaldi ( born 14 April 1958 ) is a Scottish actor , writer and director , best known for playing the twelfth incarnation of the Doctor in the television series Doctor Who . The Twelfth Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor , the protagonist of the BBC science fiction television programme Doctor Who . He is portrayed by Scottish actor Peter Capaldi . Capaldi made his first , very brief appearance as the Doctor in the show 's fiftieth anniversary special `` The Day of the Doctor '' ( 2013 ) , as one of the thirteen incarnations of the Doctor who are summoned to save Gallifrey from destruction .