David Farnor | On 04, Aug 2013

Image Copyright: Rankin (BBC Pictures)

Peter Capaldi has been officially revealed as the 12th Doctor. The Scottish actor is best known for his role as swearing machine Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It and In the Loop, but has also played non-potty-mouthed humans in programmes such as The Hour.

His new incarnation as the Time Lord from Gallifrey is not his first entry into the Whoniverse. In fact, it’s his third: he played Caecilius in the Doctor Who story The Fires of Pompeii, starring David Tennant, and John Frobisher in Torchwood Season 3: Children of Earth.

He marks a significant departure from the previous two Doctors, both of whom have become  heartthrobs for young viewers. He is now the same age as William Hartnell when he first debuted as the First Doctor. He has also won an Oscar for his live action short film, Franz Kafka’s It’s a Wonderful Life.

In short, we are very, very f*cking excited.

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.”

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