Introducing the Twelfth Doctor ...

[nullPointer]

It’s the news that shook the Internet: actor Peter Capaldi, best known for his roles on The Thick of It and The Hour, has been announced as the Twelfth Doctor on Doctor Who, succeeding Matt Smith in the role and making his first appearance in this year’s Christmas special. (Learn more about Capaldi’s background here.) Here are the statements from the Doctor Who team:

Peter Capaldi says: “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.”

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer says : “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!”

Doctor Who companion Jenna Coleman says “I’m so excited Peter Capaldi is the man taking on the challenge of becoming the Twelfth 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!”

Charlotte Moore, Controller BBC One says: “Peter Capaldi has all the genius and versatility needed to take on the mantel of the great Time Lord and make the role his own. He’ll bring his own particular wisdom, charisma and wit to the Twelfth Doctor and take the show into an exciting new era.”

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning says: “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.”

source: http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2013/08/doctor-who-peter-capaldi-announced-as-the-twelfth-doctor/

So it's no big secret that I'm a pretty big Doctor Who fan. I'm excited about this news, but will miss Matt Smith's portrayal of the Doctor. After 3 "young hipster" doctors in a row it will be a refreshing change to see someone older and more distinguished in the role. It's definitely a move that harks back to the classic series. With the more aged Doctors there was always the feeling of someone more alien and distant, whereas the recent Doctors were all very accessible. I'd love to see the part played in the vein of Sly McCoy's 'Chessmaster Doctor' but with the modern sensibilities that Moffat and crew have brought to the series. It will be interesting to see how this goes over with the fans who came on board during the 2005 - series. I'm not familiar with Capaldi's previous work, so it looks like I'll have some catching up to do. At least in terms of looks he's probably the closest we'll come to having David Bowie play the role.

So do we have any other Whovians in the house? What's your take on the ol' codger up there?

[Draco1962]

My first Doctor was the 3rd - Jon Pertwee. With the reintroduction of the Doctor Who franchise, I was very pleased with Christopher Eccleston followed by David Tenant. I am not too fond of Matt Smith, but it is difficult to tell if it is him or the writing since Russel T. Davies left at the end of the Tenant reign and left most of the direction and writing to Steven Moffat. That being said, I welcome Peter Capaldi as the 12th! Now, if we can just get Benedict Cumberbatch to portray The Master... PERFECT!

[hansolo77]

Again, this is a television series I really need to watch. Apparently people who watch the show are die hard addicted to it and can go on and on about it. Those who've never seen it are like "Really?" I'm stuck in the middle. My dad grew up watching it, so he's up to date on what's going on. He watches it on BBC-America. I don't get that channel in my bedroom because I'm using a custom built HTPC with direct "cable-ready" tuners rather than a digital CableCard tuner. I'd like to see if I can maybe find it on some streaming sites like Hulu or Amazon Prime, but I just can't get the time together to make any efforts. I'm finally about to finish Babylon 5. I had all 5 seasons pre-fire and never got the chance to watch them. I'm up to the final 2 disks of the last season now, then I'm going to watch the Crusade series (spinoff) then the movies. After that, I still have to finish watching Andromeda and then Farscape. Uhg.. I hate working all day and being too tired to do anything else to the point where I can't watch TV.

[celly]

Did Doctor House and Doogie Howser ever cameo on this show? Really, i've never seen a single episode of this, ever. Old or new. All i know is, ThinkGeek has a lot of Doctor Who toys and gadgets.

[KRC]

I recently watched Planet Of The Spider's (DVD) with Jon Pertwee and I have watched a few episode's with David Tennant, I think David Tennant played the role very well, but looking at the 12th Doctor I think he's going to do a good job.

I do agree with Draco's comment's on Matt Smith, Maybe it's because of his age, I think the role of the Doctor has always suited an older looking person.

[Draco1962]

Here is a wallpaper I knocked together from bits and pieces of various sources to create a decent replica closeup of the TARDIS door. Makes for a nice desktop

[nullPointer]

Did Doctor House and Doogie Howser ever cameo on this show?

Yes. Also appearing were Doctor Doom, Dr. Dre, and Dr Demento. It was called The Five Doctors. J/K I would pay money to see that show.

My first Doctor was the 3rd - Jon Pertwee. With the reintroduction of the Doctor Who franchise, I was very pleased with Christopher Eccleston followed by David Tenant. I am not too fond of Matt Smith, but it is difficult to tell if it is him or the writing since Russel T. Davies.

My first was Tom Baker. During junior high my saturday morning ritual was to get up and watch the Doctor Who repeats that were broadcast on the local PBS affiliate (with little regard for broadcasting in any sort of established episode order mind you). The second Doctor I ever saw was Colin Baker so ... yeah ... Tom Baker is the quintessential Doctor to my mind. In some ways I agree with you and KRC regarding Matt Smith. The Doctor has traditionally been played with an air of unflappable confidence. Eccleston had it. Tennant had it. Smith ... has often played the Doctor tentatively, seemingly unsure of himself. That being said Smith is my second favorite of the current Doctors, with the first being Tennant. Eccleston played the role a bit too much as a self consciously cool guy, for my taste. I mean can you seriously picture Eccleston s Doctor pulling off the 'celery on the lapel' look? More Arthur Conan Doyle less Arthur Fonzarelli please.

So yeah it will definitely be interesting to see a slightly older Doctor helming the TARDIS once again.

Again, this is a television series I really need to watch. Apparently people who watch the show are die hard addicted to it and can go on and on about it. Those who've never seen it are like "Really?" I'm stuck in the middle. My dad grew up watching it, so he's up to date on what's going on. He watches it on BBC-America. I don't get that channel in my bedroom because I'm using a custom built HTPC with direct "cable-ready" tuners rather than a digital CableCard tuner.

The original run of classic Doctor Who contains some of the greatest Sci-Fi stories of this generation. But it also probably contains some of the worst (and I say that with nothing but love in my heart). My advice? Start with the current series starting in 2005. Actually start with the episode entitled, "The Weeping Angels" If you enjoy that, check out the 2005 series from the beginning. If you don't enjoy that episode please turn in your geek card at the desk. Just kidding!

Actually Doctor Who may not be for everyone. It's very different from most other classic televised Sci-Fi. Pretty much all other classic onscreen Sci Fi I can think of operates against the backdrop of some sort of military industrial structure in which the protagonists are working in support of some established power base. Military means are often deployed as the best solution to a given problem. Doctor Who is sort of the opposite of that. The Doctor works best as an agent of subversion, someone who has no qualms about toppling established structures of order and power (and doing so as a pacifist). Good stuff for certain.

[DazzleHP]

HAHA it tickles me that such a major part of my childhood is enjoyed around the world!

null has a very good insight of what the Doc is all about, and like he said it's not for everyone but once you peek, you can't stop. A space-time vigilante with a major moral compass that gets tested relentlessly - is how i would describe it

I agree on the the newer "hip" docs to some extent, but then is that because i grew up with the old docs? Also, the new docs made him cool again when he was "dead". Old doc is wise, he is cunning, intelligent. Young Doc is cocky, cool, hip and might, just might, just once, get it on with one of his assistants

Karen Gillan people, Ms Pond!

[Tempest]

Who?

[nullPointer]

Karen Gillan people, Ms Pond!

This.

I would guess that even those who feel a bit luke warm about Smith's Doctor have to give it up for the incomparable Karen Gillian. During her run she really swooped in as one of my all time favorite companions. The story arc between Amy and Rory (as well as the 'love triangle' with the Doctor), is/was one of the most compelling companion story arcs in the series (IMO).

I'll also always have a soft spot for Rose ... who apparently became a hooker after her time with the Doctor. Apparently he ruined her for all other men. Perhaps there's a crossover in the works?

Who?

You jest, but I have a slight chuckle every single time the show pulls out the old "Doctor Who?" gag. Every. Single. Time. I suck.