Twelfth Doctor

The **Twelfth Doctor** is an incarnation of the doctor, the protagonist of the BBC science fiction television series *Doctor Who*. He is portrayed by Scottish actor Peter Capaldi in three series as well as four specials. As with previous incarnations of the Doctor, the character has also appeared in other Doctor Who spin-offs. Capaldi's portrayal of the Twelfth Doctor has been met with praise.

## Twelfth Doctor

The Doctor

**Twelfth Doctor** ***character***

Peter Capaldi as the Doctor

Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor

## Information

### Companions

Clare Oswald
River Song
Nardole
Bill Potts

## Series

### Series

Series 8 (2014)
Series 9 (2015)
Series 10 (2017)

### Next Version

Thirteenth Doctor

This incarnation's companions include Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman), who had travelled with his previous incarnation, canteen assistant Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie) and alien Nardole (Matt Lucas). He also made a guest appearance in the *Doctor Who* spin-off series *Class*, appearing in the show's first episode.

## Development

### Casting

Matt Smith, who played the Eleventh Doctor, publicly announced his departure from *Doctor Who* on 1 June 2013, triggering extensive media speculation on the subject of his successor. On 3 August 2013, bookmakers William Hill suspended betting when Capaldi became the five to six favourite to be cast

## Departure

Upon the announcement that Steven Moffat would leave the show in December 2017 and be replaced by new showrunner Chris Chibnall, this decision led to speculation over whether Capaldi would remain in the role or leave alongside Moffat. A month before this, Capaldi stated "This could be my final year; it's terrifying, I love *Doctor Who* but it can be an insular world and I do want to do other things. There will come a time when this is over, but I knew that when I started. I was thinking about my regeneration scene from the outset, that's my terrible melancholic nature, when you accept the job you know there'll come a day, inevitably, when you'll be saying goodbye."

On 30 January 2017, Capaldi confirmed that the tenth series would be his last. Regarding his decision to leave, Capaldi stated that despite his tremendous love for the show, he was unsure if he would be able to deliver at his best performance if he remained in the role for too long, he was replaced by Jodie Whittaker as Thirteenth, first women to portray the lead.

## Appearances

### Television

The Twelfth Doctor makes a first, uncredited appearance in the programme's fiftieth anniversary special, "The Day of the Doctor" (2013), when thirteen incarnations of the Doctor unite to save his home planet of Gallifrey from destruction during the Time War. At first, Time Lords in Gallifrey's war room spot twelve blue TARDISes approaching and encircling the planet. This count is then corrected to thirteen, and Capaldi's hands, eyes, and forehead are fleetingly shown. He then makes his full debut at the end of the next episode, "The Time of the Doctor", after the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith), is given a new regeneration cycle from the Time Lords, who remain hidden in a pocket universe. Twice upon a Time, Alone in his TARDIS, the Twelfth Doctor speaks words of advice directed to his successor before regenerating into the Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker).