Suvudu Universe

After weeks of speculation, the BBC announced today in a live broadcast that Scottish actor Peter Capaldi will be the new twelfth Doctor of the cult-classic series Doctor Who. Capaldi takes over for actor Matt Smith, who’s filled The Doctor’s shoes for the past three years, and many sources, like IndieWire, are already hoping he’ll add a distinct raw edge to the role.

A Doctor Who fan himself, Capaldi is not entirely new to the beloved series. Fans may remember him from his bit role as the Roman merchant Caecilius on “The Fires of Pompeii” Doctor Who episode in 2008. However, he’s far better known as foul-mouthed Malcolm Tucker on the UK series, The Thick of It.

“It’s so wonderful not to keep this secret any longer, but it’s been so fantastic,” Capaldi said after today’s announcement. He fondly recalled when his agent called him to tell him he’d gotten 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.” According to the BBC, the show’s lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat had contemplated casting Capaldi as the eleventh Time Lord. At the time, Moffat hadn’t thought he was the right fit, but “now that moment has arrived.”

However, Capaldi’s casting is sure to disappoint some fans. Prior to the announcement, there was much conjecture and hope that the show might cast its first minority or female Doctor to give the role a real progressive face-lift. Earlier today before the announcement, actress Felicia Day declared on Twitter: “I’m really hoping the new Doctor is a woman. It’s time. #ladywho.” And she’s not alone in this sentiment. Her comment has thus far been supported by over 1000 of her followers, and numerous others have expressed similar thoughts. Unfortunately, it seems that this contingent of fans will just have to wait until the thirteenth Doctor to see if the show will break its white male lead tradition.

Filming with Capaldi as the new Doctor begins in the fall, with the release of his first episode and Matt Smith’s last slated for this Christmas. “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,” Capaldi admitted. He has some big shoes to fill, but he seemed optimistic, saying, “I can’t wait to get started.”