Today, Dr. Who fans will surely rejoice as the new doctor has been announced. Peter Capaldi will be playing the 12th doctor in the popular series, replacing Matt Smith. The two will be featured in the 2013 finale and Smith has responded to the latest update. SPOILERS BELOW.
Capaldi is overjoyed with being selected as the 12th man to play the time traveling alien. The 55-year-old Scottish actor told the press that "It's so wonderful not to keep this secret any longer. I haven't played Doctor Who since I was 9 on the playground. 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, executive producer of the series, also commented on the decision to hire Capaldi, who he tried bringing on before, as the 11th doctor:
"There comes a right time for the right person to play it. We all had the same idea and it was a quite different idea, everybody saw it and was like, 'That's the Doctor.' "
The current Doctor, who is 30-year-old Matt Smith, has been playing the part for the past three years and has been widely praised for his performance by fans. Smith’s last performance will also mark Capaldi’s first performance.
Smith is disappointed with moving on, however, is grateful for the opportunity he’s received, telling the press that, "there are no parts like this. I loved it, I'll miss it, but when you gotta go, you gotta go."
Dr. Who is the longest running sci-fi program in history and has grown to reach an international audience.
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