Actor Peter Capaldi has been announced as the new star of BBC sci - fi series Doctor Who .
new star
actor peter capaldi announce new star bbc sci fi series doctor
Actor Peter Capaldi has been announced as the <m> new star </m> of BBC sci - fi series Doctor Who .
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4 August 2013 Last updated at 19 : 47 GMT
Doctor Who : Peter Capaldi revealed as 12th Doctor
Actor Peter Capaldi has been announced as the <m> new star </m> of BBC sci - fi series Doctor Who .
The 55 - year - old Glasgow - born star will be the 12th actor to play the Doctor , replacing out - going lead Matt Smith .
Capaldi is best known for his role as foul - mouthed spin - doctor Malcolm Tucker in the BBC series The Thick of It .
"It's so wonderful not to keep this secret any longer , but it's been so fantastic , " he said after the news was revealed on a live BBC One show .
The actor had been the bookmakers' favourite to take on the role , with betting on him becoming the next Doctor suspended on Friday .
It is not the first time Capaldi has appeared on the show - he played Roman merchant Caecilius in 2008 Doctor Who adventure The Fires of Pompeii .
At 55 , he is the same age as William Hartnell when he was cast in the role as the first Doctor in 1963 .
"Being asked to play the Doctor is an amazing privilege .
Like the Doctor himself I find myself in a state of utter terror and delight .
I can't wait to get started , " he said .
Secret audition
Steven Moffat , the show's lead writer and executive producer , said casting Capaldi as the Doctor was an "incendiary combination" .
"One of the most talented actors of his generation is about to play the best part on television . "
Moffat said Capaldi had been cast after a secret audition at his house .
"We made a home video of [ Capaldi ] being the doctor and I showed it around and everyone said 'yes , that's the Doctor' .
Moffat added the actor had "briefly flicked through my mind" the last time he was casting the role , but he did not think he was right for the part , however "now that moment has arrived" .
Capaldi said he downloaded old Doctor Who scripts from the internet and practised the lines in front of a mirror to prepare for the audition .
He revealed he was filming a BBC adaptation of The Three Musketeers in Prague when he found out he got the part .
"I had my phone on silent so I missed the call , " he said .
"It was my agent and I rang her up and she said 'hello Doctor' - I haven't stopped laughing since . "
'Incredible incarnation'
Out - going Doctor Matt Smith welcomed Capaldi's casting , and pre - recorded a message for the new Time Lord .
"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 . "
Jenna Coleman , who stars as current Doctor Who companion Clara , said : "I'm so excited Peter Capaldi is the man taking on the challenge of becoming the 12th Doctor .
"With Steven's writing and his talent I know we'll be making an amazing show with an incredible incarnation of number 12 .
I can't wait to start this new adventure . "
Ben Stephenson , controller of BBC Drama Commissioning said Capaldi was "an extraordinarily talented actor who can seemingly turn his hand to anything" .
"We can't wait to premiere his unique take on the Doctor on Christmas Day and we are sure he's going to become one of the all - time classic Doctors . "
Following the announcement , The Thick of It writer Armando Ianucci tweeted : "There can't be a funnier , wiser , more exciting Time Lord than Peter Capaldi .
The universe is in great hands . "
Capaldi will film his first scenes on the series this autumn .