Peter Capaldi, the Scottish actor best known for playing doctor Malcolm Tucker in the political satire "The Thick of It," has been named the new Doctor in the British sci-fi franchise "Doctor Who."
The show depicts the adventures of a Time Lord, a time travelling, humanoid alien with two hearts known as the Doctor. He explores the universe with a sonic screwdriver and a blue 1929 London police box/spaceship known as "TARDIS," and along with a succession of companions, he tries to save civilizations, help ordinary people, and right wrongs.
This BBC classic is the longest-running science fiction show in history.
The news of Capaldi joining the show came on Sunday during a live broadcast on BBC America. The actor will replace the departing Matt Smith, who is scheduled to leave "Doctor Who" later this year.
"It's so wonderful not to keep this secret any longer," said Capaldi, a lifelong fan of the show. "I haven't played Doctor Who since I was 9 on the playground."
Many of us on this side of the world might be intrigued about the new addition to the show, that's why, we bring you four things you need to know about Peter Capaldi and why he'll make a great Doctor Who.
1. Capaldi becomes the 12th man to play the Doctor since the cult show debuted in 1963 with star William Hartnell, and the fourth "Time Lord" since executive producer Russell T. Davies rebooted "Doctor Who" in 2005, following Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant and Matt Smith.
2. He will be the oldest Doctor since the first one, William Hartnell.
3. The 55-year-old won an Academy Award in 1994 for the best short film (Live Action) for Franz Kafka's "It's a Wonderful Life," which he directed, but Capaldi really became a household name thanks to his performance as foul-mouthed spin-doctor Tucker in "The Thick of It."
4. He's been on "Doctor Who" already. In 2008, Capaldi played a character called Caecilius who the Doctor (then David Tennant) encountered when he visited ancient Pompeii. He also starred in the show's spin-off "Torchwood."
5. He's acted with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Capaldi recently appeared in the Brad Pitt movie "World War Z" as a WHO (World Health Organization) doctor (coincidence?), and will be featured in the forthcoming film "Maleficent," starring Angelina Jolie.
6. Craig Ferguson knows him very well. The "Late Night" host used to play in the same Glasgow punk rock band as the actor, called "Bastards From Hell."
7. Capaldi will begin his run as the Doctor after the death of Matt Smith's Doctor late this year during the "Doctor Who" 50th anniversary special, which will also feature an appearance from 10th Doctor, David Tennant.
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