Actors have played the Doctor.
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 Doctor (Doctor Who) . Since the show 's inception in 1963 , the character has been portrayed by twelve lead actors . The incumbent Doctor is the Twelfth Doctor , played by Peter Capaldi , who succeeded Matt Smith in the role in the 2013 Christmas special `` The Time of the Doctor '' after he was granted a new `` cycle '' of regenerations by the Time Lords . War Doctor . He was portrayed by the English actor John Hurt .