The Thick of It actor will play the 12th Doctor , replacing Matt Smith on BBC One's hit sci - fi drama .
sci - fi drama
thick actor play 12th doctor replace matt smith bbc one's hit sci fi drama
The Thick of It actor will play the 12th Doctor , replacing Matt Smith on BBC One's hit <m> sci - fi drama </m> .
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Peter Capaldi to replace Matt Smith on 'Doctor Who'
Published Sunday , Aug 4 2013 , 19 : 30 BST
Peter Capaldi is to be the new star of Doctor Who .
The Thick of It actor will play the 12th Doctor , replacing Matt Smith on BBC One's hit <m> sci - fi drama </m> .
Capaldi was unveiled on tonight's ( August 4 ) special show Doctor Who Live : The Next Doctor on BBC One and gave his first interview since taking the role with host Zoe Ball .
He had been widely tipped to take the role for days , with bookmakers suspending betting yesterday after making him the odds - on favourite .
He will take over from Smith in this year's Christmas special ahead of his first full series as the Time Lord in 2014 .
Jenna Coleman , who plays current companion Clara , will join Capaldi for the show's eighth series since returning to screens in 2005 .
Capaldi - a long - time fan of the show - revealed that he discovered that he had been cast as the 12th Doctor while filming in Prague for the BBC's upcoming adaptation of The Three Musketeers .
In a statement , the 55 - year - old said : "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 . "
Executive producer Steven Moffat added : "It's an incendiary combination : one of the most talented actors of his generation is about to play the best part on television .
Peter Capaldi is in the TARDIS ! "
Jenna Coleman revealed that she is "so excited" to welcome Peter Capaldi as the 12th incarnation of the Doctor , adding : "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 : "We started thinking Peter Capaldi might be the right person to take on this iconic part a few months ago .
"But it was only when he did a secret audition at Steven's house under the cover of darkness that we knew we had our man .
He's 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 . "
Doctor Who returns to screens on November 23 for its 50th anniversary special starring Matt Smith , David Tennant and John Hurt .