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119-548: Peter Dougan Capaldi ( / k ə ˈ p æ l d i / ; born 14 April 1958) is a Scottish actor and director. He portrayed the twelfth incarnation of the Doctor in the science fiction series Doctor Who and Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It , for which he received four British Academy Television Award nominations, winning Best Male Comedy Performance in 2010. Capaldi won an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film and
238-548: A BAFTA Scotland nomination in the TV actor category, though he was beaten by his co-star Jayd Johnson ; and Randall Brown on the BBC Two drama The Hour in 2012, receiving a BAFTA nomination for the role. Minor roles on television included Sid 's dad Mark Jenkins in the E4 teen comedy drama series Skins in 2007, though his character was killed off in the second series; King Charles I in
357-508: A Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series . In addition, Capaldi was announced as a BAFTA Scotland Awards nomination as Best Actor on Television. Mulkern of Radio Times praised Sarah Dollard's writing of the Doctor in " Thin Ice ", noting how she "examines his moral code; the ideals he aspires to and the crimes and misdemeanors he's prepared to indulge". The Doctor and The Master's interactions in " Extremis "
476-522: A World Health Organization doctor in World War Z . Capaldi also directed several episodes of the BBC Four sitcom Getting On . He portrayed Cardinal Richelieu in an adaptation of The Three Musketeers on BBC One the next year, though with his casting, he was killed off-screen to avoid clashes with Doctor Who . In August 2013 during a special event titled Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor, Capaldi
595-509: A mockumentary about a fictitious film studio, which tracks real developments and trends throughout the history of British cinema. Capaldi voiced various roles during this period, all on BBC Radio 4, with the major roles including Alistair in the 2005–2006 situational comedy Baggage , the Armourer in an adaption of Dr. No in 2008, and one of the presenter Jim Tweedledee in the 2009–2010 satirical comedy The News at Bedtime . These years saw
714-456: A mongoose to hunt them down. He then discovers a child who has been bitten on the neck and who almost dies as a result. Adam learns that another child has already been killed by a snake bite and that animals have also been killed mysteriously throughout the county. Caswall's Black African servant, Oolanga, a man obsessed with death and torture, prowls around the Castra Regis estate, enjoying
833-499: A punk rock band called the Dreamboys, whose drummer was future comedian Craig Ferguson . The pair also performed a cabaret act together as Bing & Dean Hitler and wrote an alternative pantomime of Sleeping Beauty . The first few years of Capaldi's acting career were marked by sporadic appearances, beginning in a 1974 performance of the play An Inspector Calls ; his first onscreen appearance occurred in 1981 as Joe Edwards in
952-458: A "total adrenaline junkie" and, according to Moffat, "much fiercer, madder [and] less reliable". "He's not as immediately approachable and he's not necessarily looking for your approval, when he says 'Wait here, I'll be back', you're not absolutely convinced... what he's not doing is reassuring you very much." Moffat also described the Twelfth Doctor as having attention deficit disorder ; this
1071-413: A 24-year long date together as their final encounter. The Doctor next appears in the first episode of Doctor Who spin-off Class , appointing two alien refugees and a group of teenagers with protecting the pupils and faculty of Coal Hill Academy from alien threats. He returns in 2016 Christmas special " The Return of Doctor Mysterio ", alongside new companion (and the first full-time alien companion of
1190-509: A TV series titled They F**k You Up , though it remained unsold, in 2022. Capaldi married Elaine Collins in Strathblane near his home city of Glasgow in 1991. Together they have a daughter, and two grandchildren born in 2021 and 2023. Capaldi and Collins live together in Muswell Hill , London. Singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi is his distant cousin, and the two have worked together on one of
1309-498: A black cravat . In " The Magician's Apprentice ", he wears Ray-Ban sunglasses (later revealed in " The Witch's Familiar " to be a wearable version of his sonic screwdriver ), a T-shirt and plaid baggy trousers along with the hoodie and Crombie coat. In " Face the Raven ", the Twelfth Doctor sports a crimson velvet variant of his Crombie coat. After briefly ditching it in " Hell Bent ", Clara comments that it made him look more 'doctory'. At
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#17328685592811428-480: A crime, in the BBC drama series Mr Wakefield's Crusade in 1992. He also featured prominently as the spy chief Mr. Vladimir in the drama miniseries The Secret Agent , also in 1992, and the protagnist's nemesis Dr. Ronnie Pilfrey in the comedy-drama Fortysomething in 2003. He has been part of the regular cast on many shows: the protagonist's uncle Rory in the television adaptation of Ian Banks 's The Crow Road , and
1547-481: A face with John Frobisher as Frobisher is Caecilius's descendant, and represents the end of Caecilius's bloodline, referencing the Doctor's "eternal battle with doom and destiny." Capaldi's casting marks the second time an actor has previously appeared in the series and then been cast as an incarnation of the Doctor, the first being Colin Baker . Capaldi briefly appears in the 50th anniversary special. Moffat stated that it
1666-463: A face with a man he was persuaded to save in Pompeii , despite his initial reluctance to alter the timeline. He surmises that he subconsciously chose this face as a reminder that his job is to save lives. He is inspired to resurrect Viking girl Ashildr ( Maisie Williams ) with alien technology; he learns in " The Woman Who Lived " that she has become immortal and watches over his past companions. In " Face
1785-547: A guest appearance in the Doctor Who spin-off series Class , appearing in the show's first episode . 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. Capaldi's casting
1904-406: A hoodie over his jumper as of series nine, over his T-shirt all being worn under his coat. In " Time Heist ", the Doctor describes his costume as "hoping for minimalism, but I think I came up with magician." The look was created by Doctor Who costume designer Howard Burden. His design was described as "No frills, no scarfs, no messing, just 100% rebel Time Lord." Capaldi said that the costume took
2023-593: A large dose of alien". Catherine Gee of The Telegraph credited Capaldi's acting in " The Woman Who Lived " noting "he has grown into the role utterly and completely. He embodies the weight of the Doctor's responsibility". His performance in " The Zygon Inversion " was heavily praised by with Dan Martin of The Guardian , stating "this Doctor has never been written better, Capaldi has never channelled Tom Baker more". Most prominently Capaldi's performance in " Heaven Sent " received universal acclaim, with Patrick Mulkern of Radio Times noting that "Peter Capaldi's one-man show
2142-455: A later interview, Baker expressed that Capaldi initially had "a rough deal" as fans weren't very kind towards his incarnation, as they had been conditioned towards "eye candy" in the form of "dashing role model[s]" popularised by David Tennant . Den of Geek ' Simon Brew lauded Capaldi in " Before the Flood " noting "his performance continues to mix grumpiness, friendliness, intelligence and
2261-546: A long time to find. The reason he settled on his final costume was because, "I think it's quite a hard look. I always wanted him to be in black – I always just saw the Doctor in dark colours. Not tweed," in reference to his immediate predecessor's original costume. "Matt's a really young cool guy – he can wear anything, but I wanted to strip it back and be very stark." Moffat described the look as "A stick-insect sort of thing". He also said that Clara calls him "a grey-haired stick-insect at one point". Capaldi also stated that he chose
2380-511: A mesmeric assault on a local girl, Lilla Watford. Meanwhile, Arabella March, of Diana's Grove, is running a game of her own, perhaps angling to become Mrs. Edgar Caswall. He is a slightly pathological eccentric and has inherited Franz Mesmer 's chest, which he keeps in the Castra Regis Tower. Caswall seeks to make use of mesmerism , a precursor to hypnotism , and, obsessed with Lilla, attempts to break her using mesmeric powers. However, with
2499-432: A mysterious vault beneath the university. Bored after decades of confinement on Earth, he takes on Bill Potts ( Pearl Mackie ) as his new companion, despite Nardole's reminders about his oath. In " Extremis ", the show reveals that Nardole came to assist the Doctor on orders given by River before she died, and that the mysterious vault contains Missy, whom the Doctor swore to watch over for a thousand years. Over " The Lie of
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#17328685592812618-504: A new black velvet frock coat with blue lining and peak lapels. This coat appeared several times throughout the season. The navy crombie coat returned (" Oxygen ") as well as the red velvet crombie. Another addition to the Doctor's wardrobe occurs mid season with the introduction of a grey distressed linen frock coat. The final look that Capaldi had for his tenure as the Doctor was a navy velvet coat with red lining. First and foremost, he's not human. So I think he struggles to create
2737-631: A new regeneration cycle from the Time Lords, who remain hidden in a pocket universe . In the series 8 premiere " Deep Breath " (2014), the Doctor arrives in Victorian London, where he recovers from the stress of his regeneration, initially under the care of the Paternoster Gang . After uncovering potential alien presence in London, the Doctor goes on the run as a homeless person for some time. While on
2856-468: A version of himself that humans find easy to be around. He's always trying to save the universe, so if he upsets someone, that has to come with the territory. But then later on, he probably gets a bit worried and wishes he could go back and say, "I'm sorry I upset you." I like when he's strange. —Peter Capaldi The Twelfth Doctor is, according to Capaldi, "more alien than he's been in a while." Whilst still defining himself as someone who "saves people,"
2975-411: A weapon from Clara, to spare his companion the burden of killing Missy herself. As the Doctor hesitates, a cyberconverted Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart , retaining his humanity, appears to disintegrate Missy with a laser blast. After a traumatic ordeal, the Doctor and Clara part ways, seemingly for good, before they are reunited by a shared dream in " Last Christmas " and agree to continue adventuring. In
3094-425: Is an instant classic". Jeffery of Digital Spy praised the final moments between the Doctor and River Song in " The Husbands of River Song ", writing "combined with Capaldi and Kingston's sensitive work [...] you feel a weight of history between these two people who've never shared a screen before". In June 2016, Peter Capaldi was shortlisted for a national TV Choice Award for Best Actor. He had also been submitted for
3213-512: Is filled with treasure, but is actually just another mongoose), and Adam follows Oolanga. Arabella lures Oolanga to a deep well in her house, then in rage and disgust murders him by dragging him down into the deep pit tunneled through a bed of white china clay. Adam witnesses the murder, but has no evidence of it apart from his own word. Arabella writes him a letter the next day, with the previous night's events twisted, claiming her complete innocence. Adam and Sir Nathaniel begin to suspect that Arabella
3332-568: Is guilty of other crimes and that she wants to murder Mimi Watford. Adam and Sir Nathaniel then plot to stop Arabella by whatever means necessary. Sir Nathaniel is a Van Helsing -type character who wants to hunt down Arabella, who he believes, with increasing conviction, is the White Worm of legend. The White Worm is a large snake-like creature dwelling deep under Arabella's house at Diana's Grove. It has green glowing eyes and feeds on whatever living creatures it can find to eat. Sir Nathaniel believes
3451-468: Is her hero but she would be very reluctant to tell him that. It's a doctor-and-companion love, and there's nothing else like it really." "They're kind of freed of their issues and in a wonderful place together. Previously she was trying to keep him under control yet now the two of them are going 'Come on, lets jump, lets do it', egging each other on really, and being more and more reckless," she teased. Capaldi stated "It's sort of an utterly platonic bond, which
3570-611: Is quite unusual. The problem is the Doctor knows a lot more than he ever says. He knows Clara's fate. He knows the fate of all his companions before they do." Ultimately it has been confirmed by both Capaldi and Coleman that the Doctor and Clara's relationship is romantic in nature. For Series 10 , Capaldi described his character as more "closed off" and "suspicious" than the previous season, he elaborated "If you've been following this Doctor, you've seen him go through all those different colours and all those different places, and as for where he goes now, I don't know, but he's been put through
3689-505: Is said to be largely, if loosely, based upon Tony Blair 's right-hand man Alastair Campbell , although Capaldi has said that he based his performance more on Hollywood power players, such as the often abrasive Harvey Weinstein . A film spin-off from The Thick of It titled In the Loop was released in 2009. Capaldi reprised his role for the movie. The role of Tucker was met with acclaim and won Capaldi several awards. From 2006 thorough 2010 he
Peter Capaldi - Misplaced Pages Continue
3808-453: Is the Twelfth Doctor's first appearance alongside his roguish time-travelling wife River Song ( Alex Kingston ). After an emotionally wrought adventure, the Doctor and River finally confess the full extent of their feelings for each another, and he ends up fulfilling the history River told his earlier incarnation in " Silence in the Library " (2008): giving her his sonic screwdriver and spending
3927-457: Is waiting for him at the end of the universe". His acting in " The Caretaker " was praised by Morgan Jeffery of Digital Spy , noting "Capaldi's is the most complex and variable take on the Time Lord we've seen since Eccleston". In January 2015, Capaldi became the first actor to portray the Doctor to not be shortlisted for a National Television Award since the series revival in 2005. Ahead of
4046-528: The BAFTA Award for Best Short Film for his 1993 short film Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life . He went on to write and direct the drama film Strictly Sinatra and directed two series of the sitcom Getting On . Capaldi also played Mr Curry in the family film Paddington and its sequel Paddington 2 , as well as The Thinker in The Suicide Squad . He appeared as Professor Marcus in
4165-588: The British Academy Television Awards that year, Paul Flynn of The Telegraph noted that Capaldi's portrayal of the Doctor had the effect of "significantly reducing Doctor Who ' s glamour quotient". Later, Capaldi received a TV Choice Awards nomination for Best Actor. He was also nominated for a BAFTA Cymru Award in the Best Actor category for his acting in " Dark Water ". Steven Moffat praised his leading man, stating "we could argue for
4284-569: The Charles Gormley film Living Apart Together . Starting in 1983, Capaldi received many more roles, appearing in diverse mediums as movies, television, and theatre; he appeared as Beatles member John Lennon in a performance of John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Bert at the Young Vic , and the same year had a significant role in the film Local Hero as Danny Oldsen. The early years of his career saw him primarily acting in movies - on both
4403-583: The Christmas armistice of 1914, both decide to move on to their next forms. Alone in his TARDIS, the Twelfth Doctor speaks words of advice directed to his successor before regenerating into the Thirteenth Doctor ( Jodie Whittaker ). New Series Adventures released novels starring the Twelfth Doctor and Clara Oswald in September 2014: Silhouette , The Crawling Terror , and The Blood Cell . The next wave
4522-549: The Disney film Christopher Robin , and the next year he narrated audiobook version of Watership Down and Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth , winning a AudioFile Earphones award for his narration on both books. He also narrated an audiobook version of Nineteen Eighty-Four in 2021, and voiced the recurring character Seamus McGregor in the Netflix series Big Mouth in 2022. Capaldi's live-action projects have included playing
4641-705: The Glasgow School of Art . He was a fan of Doctor Who as a child, and met Tom Baker during the production of Genesis of the Daleks . Capaldi displayed an early talent for performance by putting on a puppet show in primary school. While in high school, he was a member of the Antonine Players theatre group, who performed at the Fort Theatre in Bishopbriggs. As an art student, he was the lead singer and guitarist in
4760-505: 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 ), about to die from old age, is given
4879-580: The West End of London and then to Broadway in New York City as well. These years marked the beginning of Capaldi's occasional writing and directing career: he wrote and starred in the comedy movie Soft Top Hard Shoulder in 1992, which won the audience award at the London Film Festival ; and directed the short film Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life , which starred Richard E. Grant and which
Peter Capaldi - Misplaced Pages Continue
4998-418: The series 9 premiere " The Magician's Apprentice "/" The Witch's Familiar " (2015), the Doctor, along with Clara and Missy, who survived her apparent disintegration, are summoned to the planet Skaro by The Doctor's nemesis Davros ( Julian Bleach ), the creator of the evil Dalek race, who is dying. Davros plays on the Doctor's sympathies to trick him into revitalising a dying Dalek empire, siphoning some of
5117-530: The 2008 episode " The Fires of Pompeii " and John Frobisher in Children of Earth , the 2009 serial of the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood . Moffat has stated that he plans on explaining over time why there are three characters in the Doctor Who universe with the same appearance; his predecessor Russell T Davies had once explained to him a theory for the first two, and upon Capaldi's casting assured Moffat that
5236-438: The Castra Regis tower; it then travels through the wire Arabella had run to Diana's Grove and ignites Adam's dynamite, which pulverizes the White Worm and destroys the house and Arabella at the same time. After this, Adam and Mimi Watford are married. Les Daniels noted that while The Lair of the White Worm had "potential", it was undermined by the "clumsy style" of the writing. The horror critic R. S. Hadji placed The Lair of
5355-442: The Doctor can be". Wilkins from Inverse stated that the Twelfth Doctor "who began his existence so prickly and aloof would end it as the champion of kindness" was testament to how much the Doctor had grown. He felt Capaldi played this Doctor's kindness as "the most urgently honest expression of himself, and in doing so made his Doctor vulnerable and open in a way none of his predecessors ever really attempted". The Lair of
5474-423: The Doctor has to undergo some dramas by himself. So I think he becomes slightly worried that he's swept someone else up into his adventures without quite preparing them." 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
5593-619: The Doctor is more "enigmatic, mysterious, complex, worn, and unmannered" when compared to his immediate two predecessors. Steven Moffat has joked that he's "more Scottish than last time." In Series 9 , Capaldi described his character as a 'thrill-seeker' who is confronting danger where he soon realises that he is 'one of the luckiest creatures in all of time and space' and that 'life is short even at two-thousand years'. According to Coleman regarding Clara's bond with The Doctor inquiring if she had feelings for him she stated "She's totally in love with him, always has been. It's its own kind of love. He
5712-690: The Doctor starts out as a spiky, brusque, contemplative, and pragmatic character who conceals his emotions in the course of making tough and sometimes ruthless decisions. Over time, he becomes kinder, compassionate, and more openly showcases his selflessness. Preceded in regeneration by the Eleventh Doctor ( Matt Smith ), he is followed by the Thirteenth Doctor ( Jodie Whittaker ). This incarnation's companions include school teacher Clara Oswald ( Jenna Coleman ), who had travelled with his previous incarnation , for his first two series; and for his final series, canteen assistant and student Bill Potts ( Pearl Mackie ) and alien Nardole ( Matt Lucas ). He also made
5831-625: The Doctor uses the TARDIS to time travel to Central London in the year 2025, where the Daleks have taken over the world and the Doctor has to alter fate with the power of time travel. He also lent his voice to the character in the CBBC online game, The Doctor and the Dalek and in the Doctor Who Game Maker on the official Doctor Who site. Peter Capaldi has received critical acclaim for his portrayal of
5950-401: The Doctor's regeneration energy to do so. The Doctor also enlivens a mass of dying Daleks consigned to the sewers of Skaro, who begin to tear the city apart, and he makes his escape with Clara, but not before visiting Davros as a young boy on the battlefields of Skaro, and instilling in him a lesson about the virtues of mercy. In " The Girl Who Died ," the Doctor finally remembers that he shares
6069-421: The Doctor, the character has also appeared in other Doctor Who spin-offs . Within the series' narrative, the Doctor is a millennia-old alien Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey who travels in time and space in the TARDIS , frequently with companions . When they are about to die, the Doctor regenerates ; as a result, the physical appearance and personality of the Doctor changes. Capaldi's portrayal of
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#17328685592816188-480: The Doctor. Following the broadcast of " Deep Breath ", Euan Ferguson of The Guardian called his performance "wise and thoughtful", while Michael Hogan of The Telegraph felt that Capaldi's portrayal "crackled with fierce intelligence and nervous energy". Capaldi's performance in " Listen " was praised with Alasdair Wilkins of The A.V. Club , stating "Capaldi turns in a suitably fearless performance, reaching his obsessive crescendo as he prepares to meet whatever
6307-641: The Eleventh Doctor, but that he dismissed the idea, thinking he was not right for the part at the time. Ben Stephenson , the BBC's drama commissioner, said that Capaldi was suggested months before the August revelation and that a secret audition was held at Moffat's home. Capaldi prepared for the audition by downloading old Doctor Who scripts from the Internet and practising in front of a mirror. He discovered he had been given
6426-687: The German filmmaker and author Wim Wenders in Emotion Pictures , airing on BBC Radio 3 in 1996; and Chief Petty Officer Grieves in the BBC Radio 7 (now BBC Radio 4 Extra) comedy series Our Brave Boys between 2002 and 2005. Before taking over the lead role in Doctor Who , Capaldi was best known for playing spin doctor Malcolm Tucker in the Armando Iannucci-written BBC sitcom The Thick of It , which he played from 2005 to 2012. Tucker
6545-484: The Land ", " Empress of Mars " and " The Eaters of Light ", the Doctor becomes more convinced that Missy has reformed her ways, and so in " World Enough and Time ", he sends her to react to a distress call on a colony ship trapped in the gravity of a black hole . His plan goes horribly wrong when Bill is shot and converted into a Cyberman by medics in the lower floors of the ship, where due to time dilation many years go by. In
6664-414: The Raven ", Clara dies while trying to outsmart Ashildr, who stages an elaborate ploy to trap the Doctor, which he learns in " Heaven Sent " was on behalf of the Time Lords. Emerging from the trap on his home planet of Gallifrey, he sends a warning to his people of his return. In " Hell Bent ", the Doctor deposes Time Lord President Rassilon ( Donald Sumpter ) and uses Time Lord technology to save Clara from
6783-452: The TV series The Devil's Hour and the Apple TV+ crime thriller series Criminal Record respectively, the latter of which he also produces. Capaldi said that he was a fan of crime shows, but that often there is not much character development over the course of the show; therefore, they created a show where the plot changes the character and has a real impact on their life. As such, the show
6902-658: The Thick of It. He won an Academy Award for his short film Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life . He was given an award for "Outstanding Contribution to Film & Television" at the Scottish BAFTAs . Twelfth Doctor The Twelfth Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor , the protagonist of the British 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
7021-536: The Twelfth Doctor cares little about being seen as a hero or even being liked by the people who he is trying to save. Unlike his previous two incarnations who cared about humans and tried to understand them, Capaldi has confirmed that, this incarnation "doesn't quite understand human beings or really care very much about their approval." Clara is put on the back-foot by him post-regeneration initially not seeing through his 'Tough Exterior'. Jenna Coleman says of this Doctor, "He's more removed, you can't quite access him in
7140-633: The Twelfth Doctor made his first Big Finish appearance in The Astrea Conspiracy , narrated by Neve McIntosh . The Twelfth Doctor has since appeared in more Short Trips stories and the anthology series The Twelfth Doctor Chronicles narrated by Jacob Dudman . Capaldi voices the Lego counterpart of the Twelfth Doctor in the video game, Lego Dimensions , alongside Jenna Coleman and Michelle Gomez as Clara and Missy respectively. He also got his own level called “The Dalek Extermination of Earth”, where
7259-475: The Twelfth Doctor's costume so fans of the show who enjoy cosplay could easily emulate it without going to great expense. Writing for Radio Times , fashion columnist Anna Fielding described it as "a classic early skinhead look" and linked it to Capaldi's history as a punk musician. Capaldi's costume has varied in some episodes. In " Mummy on the Orient Express " he dons a period-appropriate tuxedo and
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#17328685592817378-604: The White Worm The Lair of the White Worm is a horror novel by the Irish writer Bram Stoker . It was first published by Rider and Son of London in 1911 – the year before Stoker's death – with colour illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith . The story is based on the legend of the Lambton Worm . It has also been issued as The Garden of Evil . The central character of the book is Adam Salton, an Australian (living there at
7497-461: The Worm is descended from dragons, who traded their physical power for cunning. The Worm ascends from its pit and seeks to attack Adam and Mimi Watford in the forest of Diana's Grove. Adam is able to foil Arabella's multiple attempts to murder Mimi, and Arabella offers to sell Diana's Grove, which Adam buys with the aim of destroying the White Worm. He plans to fill the pit with sand and set dynamite to kill
7616-411: The Worm while it is underground. Caswall's last visit to Lilla ends in her death. In the final chapters, Mimi Watford confronts Caswall who has finally succumbed to madness. He lures her onto the roof of Castra Regis House as a storm approaches and shows off his kite, despite the thunderheads building in the sky. Arabella, who had been stalking Mimi, watches from nearby and steals some of the wire holding
7735-653: The absurdist play Absurdia in 2007 in the Donmar Warehouse ; and Professor Marcus in The Ladykillers at the Liverpool Playhouse and Gielgud Theatre in London in 2011. Capaldi wrote and presented A Portrait of Scotland , a documentary detailing 500 years' history of Scottish portrait painting in 2009; and in 2012, Capaldi and Tony Roche co-wrote, directed and performed in The Cricklewood Greats ,
7854-681: The actor's performance, writing "If you needed a reminder of just how much he's going to be missed when he finally departs Doctor Who at the end of the year, his outstanding work here was precisely that". Critics heavily praised Peter Capaldi's final performance in " Twice Upon a Time " and the characterisation of the Twelfth Doctor over three series. Sam Wollaston of The Guardian said it was hard to say goodbye to this "brilliant Doctor", who has been "warm, wise, kind, funny and human". Mulkern named Capaldi his ideal kind of Doctor: "senior, crusty, steely, funny but with anguish burning through those wizened eyes". Caroline Siede for The A.V. Club stated that
7973-550: The angel Islington in Neil Gaiman 's BBC Two gothic fantasy serial Neverwhere , both in 1996. His minor and guest roles have included: a TV producer named Tristan Campbell in two episodes of the sitcom The Vicar of Dibley in 1994, and an appearance as a university professor in the sitcom Peep Show in 2004. He auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko in the sci-fi series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in 1992, though he lost
8092-633: The big screen and television. Some of his major roles on the big screen include the archaelogy student Angus Flint in The Lair of the White Worm , and Azolan, a valet in pre-Revolution France in Dangerous Liaisons , both in 1988. His roles in television movies include playing another Beatle George Harrison in John and Yoko: A Love Story in 1985, and Robert McRae in Chain in 1990. He portrayed roles in theatre such as
8211-500: The carnage left by the White Worm. Adam's mongoose attacks Arabella, who shoots it to death. Adam buys more mongooses and keeps them locked in trunks when not using them to hunt. Arabella tears another mongoose apart with her hands. Oolanga takes a liking to Arabella, perhaps sensing something violent in her, and makes advances. Arabella scorns Oolanga and is deeply insulted that he would dare to approach her. In an attempt to win her over, Oolanga steals one of Adam's trunks (which he believes
8330-410: The character by saying, "He has a tremendous ability with throwaway humour and a lot of it is around the fact that sometimes he is terribly rude. I think kids will think he is the rude Doctor [...] You might want to cuddle him but he really will resist." Capaldi stated that part of the Doctor's personality would share "a certain acid wit" of Malcolm Tucker , "specifically the attitude, the wisecracks and
8449-400: The character. Moffat felt that an older actor would work best following the youngest actor, as it would both provide a change and lessen comparisons. He commented, "I can absolutely believe that the strange old-young Matt Smith will turn into the strange young-old Peter Capaldi." Capaldi had previously appeared playing other roles in the Doctor Who franchise. He portrayed Lobus Caecilius in
8568-638: The comedy film Bean in 1997, and the French poet and director Jean Cocteau in the biographical film Modigliani in 2004; investigator Luke Fitzwilliam in a stage adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel, Murder Is Easy at the Duke of York's Theatre in 1993; and as journalist and art critic Robbie Ross in the stage play The Judas Kiss at the Almeida Theatre in 1998, with the play subsequently moving to
8687-449: The course of the series, he and Clara have some ups and downs in their friendship caused both by the Doctor's callousness and because Clara wishes to keep her continued travelling a secret from her boyfriend, Danny Pink ( Samuel Anderson ); she is not able to resolve the situation before Danny dies in a road accident in the first part of the series finale, " Dark Water "/" Death in Heaven ". In
8806-451: The end of the episode, he dons the crimson coat in honour of her, and is given a new sonic screwdriver by the TARDIS. In the ending segment of " The Husbands of River Song ", the Doctor again dons the same tuxedo and period dress worn in "Mummy on the Orient Express". In Capaldi's final season, the most variations were seen on the Doctor's costume. In the first episode of the season, Capaldi donned
8925-485: The energy...he can be edgy, volatile and dangerous". Capaldi has stated that all of the previous actors who had played the Doctor were channelled in his portrayal and that his particular influences were Hartnell, Pertwee and Peter Davison . He has been described as an "older, fiercer, trickier Doctor". In spite of his darker personality, Capaldi has said that the Doctor is still, "funny, joyful, passionate, emphatic, and fearless." While Jenna Coleman added that this time,
9044-403: The episode gave Capaldi a "beautiful final showcase that demonstrates just how much he's grown into the role". Vulture ' s Ruediger regarded the Twelfth Doctor as "the pinnacle" of Doctor Who and the only incarnation who grew as a character, stating "it's been done and accomplished so successfully, it will be difficult for the show to turn back. Peter Capaldi raised the bar for who and what
9163-404: The explanation would still work. This situation was alluded to in " Deep Breath ", when a confused Doctor is reminded of Caecilius when he examines his face in a mirror. In " The Girl Who Died ", it is explained that the Doctor chose Caecilius' face to remind himself that he is the Doctor, and that he can always save people. While not explained in the episode, Moffat later said that he also shares
9282-521: The finale, he meets Missy ( Michelle Gomez ), the latest incarnation of his nemesis, the Master , who reveals that she conspired to bring him and Clara together and has begun converting the Earth's dead into Cybermen ; her plan is to compromise the Doctor's morality with the offer of an army with which to rule the universe. Missy's scheme is foiled, but not before many have died and Earth is in chaos. The Doctor takes
9401-511: The global refugee crisis. He subsequently appeared with them and others in the video "What They Took With Them" , which saw the actors reading a poem, inspired by primary accounts of refugees and part of UNHCR's #WithRefugees campaign, and which included a petition to governments to expand asylum and to provide further shelter, integrating job opportunities, and education. In October 2022, he voiced his support for Scottish independence . He told The Daily Telegraph : "It used not to be something I
9520-441: The help of Lilla's half- Burmese cousin, Mimi Watford, he is thwarted time and again. Caswall has a giant kite built in the shape of a hawk to scare away pigeons that have attacked his fields and destroyed his crops. For lack of anything better to do, he obsessively watches the kite and begins to believe that it has a mind of its own and that he himself is a god. Adam Salton finds black snakes on his great uncle's property and buys
9639-534: The historical fiction The Devil's Whore in 2008, and Balthazar in the drama series The Nativity , based on the Nativity of Jesus in 2010. He also only held minor roles in movies and stage-acting during this time: priests in the horror film Wild Country and comedy film The Best Man , both in 2005, and a small role as therapist Peter VanGellis in the comedy film Big Fat Gypsy Gangster in 2011, written by and starring his Getting On co-star Ricky Grover ,
9758-404: The kite, apparently unspooling it all the way back to her house. When Mimi discovers Caswall has locked her onto the roof she shoots off the lock with a gun Adam gave her for her protection and flees home. Adam convinces her to go back outside with him, and they witness the following events: a massive thunderstorm breaks over Castra Regis House, a lightning bolt is grounded by the kite and demolishes
9877-409: The mill." Capaldi expressed in terms of his character "Because in some ways he's much more amenable, but in other ways he's even darker. So I think that makes for a very interesting character." Upon discussing the interaction between The Doctor and his latest companion Bill Potts , Capaldi elaborated "It's a kind of teacher-pupil relationship, but it becomes more complex than that and I think ultimately
9996-729: The moments before her death, and then proceeds to run away with her to the end of time in the hopes of cheating death permanently. He is then persuaded by Ashildr that he and Clara are a dangerous influence on each other, and perhaps together constitute the "Hybrid of two great warrior races" which is prophesied to destroy Gallifrey. The Doctor attempts to wipe Clara's memories of him using a device, but she alters it so that it affects his memories of her instead; she leaves him behind on Earth with his TARDIS to start adventuring again. She departs in her own stolen TARDIS, alongside Ashildr, promising to one day return to Gallifrey and accept her death. The Christmas special " The Husbands of River Song " (2015)
10115-411: The most emotional Doctor." Capaldi received overwhelming praise for his performance in " The Doctor Falls ", with Radio Times ' s Mulkern noting the episode as a story dedicated to the character and how he "stands tall". Digital Spy ' s Jeffery praised Capaldi's "Where I stand is where I fall" speech, noting it as possibly the actor's finest moment to date. Brew of Den of Geek heavily praised
10234-702: The next four years. In 2015 he voiced the Doctor in crossover video game Lego Dimensions In 2016, Capaldi reprised his role as the Twelfth Doctor in the Doctor Who spin-off programme Class , written by young-adult author Patrick Ness . Besides Doctor Who , he appeared as Paddington Bear 's neighbour Mr Curry in the family comedy film Paddington in 2015 and reprised the role two years later film's sequel Paddington 2 , and as King Kinloch in Maleficent in deleted scenes. He also appeared as himself in various short films and documentaries. On 30 January 2017, in an interview with BBC Radio 2 , Capaldi confirmed that
10353-509: The outset) who in 1860 is contacted by his elderly great-uncle, Richard Salton, a landed gentleman of Lesser Hill, Derbyshire , England, who has no other family and wants to establish a relationship with the only other living member of the Salton family. Although Adam has already made his own fortune in Australia, he enthusiastically agrees to meet his uncle, and on his arrival by ship at Southampton
10472-528: The part during filming for Adrian Hodges ' The Musketeers in Prague ; after missing a call from his agent, Capaldi rang back to be greeted with "Hello, Doctor!" At 55 years old when originally cast, Capaldi was only a few months younger than William Hartnell (the First Doctor ) was when he was cast in the role, making Capaldi the oldest actor since Hartnell to star as the Doctor and the third oldest to portray
10591-616: The rest of his ancestry is Scottish and Irish. His parents ran an ice cream business in the Springburn district, where they were neighbours and acquaintances of the family of Armando Iannucci , creator of The Thick of It , although the two men did not know each other as children. He was educated at St Teresa's Primary School in Possilpark , St Matthew's Primary School in Bishopbriggs , and St Ninian's High School, Kirkintilloch , before attending
10710-499: The rest of our lives about who's the best Doctor — but for me, the best single performance in the role is settled forever. You can only ask a solo of a virtuoso, so thank God and Scotland for Peter Capaldi". Capaldi's predecessor, Matt Smith , applauded him as having "reinvented" Doctor Who . Colin Baker praised the 12th Doctor noting "[Capaldi's Doctor] is grumpy and curmudgeonly and intolerant, and gosh – I should be playing it now [...] I love his style, and I love his character". In
10829-580: The revived series) Nardole ( Matt Lucas ), an employee of River Song's introduced in the previous episode. Together, they save New York from being destroyed by aliens with ambitions of world domination. In the series 10 premiere " The Pilot " (2017), it was revealed that the Doctor has spent decades working as a professor in St Luke's University in Bristol , giving lectures on time and life, assisted by Nardole. The Doctor has taken an oath to stay on Earth and guard
10948-507: The rise of Capaldi to worldwide fame with his casting in the role of the Twelfth Doctor in the BBC science-fiction series Doctor Who , becoming the oldest actor since the first incarnation to star as the Doctor and the third oldest to portray the character, at the age of 56; Capaldi stated that he had to seriously consider the increased level of visibility that would come with the part. He had portrayed characters in Doctor Who before he
11067-479: The role for too long. The Twelfth Doctor's general outfit consists of a navy blue Crombie coat with a crimson lining, dark blue trousers, a long collared white shirt buttoned to the top, a black cardigan or waistcoat , and brogue boots . His shirt varies from episode to episode, with a navy shirt, a dark purple shirt and a black shirt with white polka dots appearing, as well as a black holey jumper, all being worn under his coat in his first series. He also wears
11186-681: The role of Mr Micawber in The Personal History of David Copperfield , a comedy-drama film based on the novel by Charles Dickens , in 2019 and the writer and soldier Siegfried Sassoon in the biographical romantic drama Benediction in 2021. He starred in the 2021 DC Extended Universe superhero film The Suicide Squad as the Thinker . While filming, Capaldi wrote and recorded rock music for his debut solo studio album St. Christopher , released through Monks Road Records that year on 19 November. Starting 2022 and 2024, he has been starring in
11305-530: The role to Avery Brooks . He was invited, in 1995, to audition for the role of the Eighth Doctor for the Doctor Who television movie , though he declined stating: "I didn't go. I loved the show so much, and I didn't think I would get it, and I didn't want to just be part of a big cull of actors." As he took on more and more roles on television, Capaldi's roles in movies and on-stage mostly included minor or supporting roles, with major titles including Gareth in
11424-423: The role. Speaking on his decision, he said he did it so he could feel closer to the character. A handful of tweets were reported in September 2014 in which it was claimed that some viewers struggled to understand Capaldi. A speech coach and linguistics expert both suggested that any problems with understanding Capaldi had more to do with delivery than accent. Upon the announcement that Steven Moffat would leave
11543-413: The run, he believes he has seen his new face before, though does not recall from where. He and Clara ( Jenna Coleman ) are reunited by a third party, and realise that this third party has been conspiring to bring the two of them together for some time. The Doctor helps Clara overcome her reservations about his new personality and older physical appearance, and they begin travelling together once more. Over
11662-465: The same way", in comparison to his more friendly and accessible predecessor. Initially it was reported that Capaldi specifically requested that the Doctor will not flirt with his companion the way his previous incarnation did, but the actor stated that he said no such thing and that it was inflated by the media. Steven Moffat has teased that Capaldi's Doctor may perhaps be more in love with Clara than he'd like to believe. He has also been described as
11781-496: The series finale, " The Doctor Falls ", the Doctor faces an army of Cybermen and struggles to convince Missy to side with him; she is influenced by her past incarnation ( John Simm ), also on board the ship. Badly injured by the Cybermen's attacks, the Doctor sends Nardole away to evacuate humans from the ship before destroying an entire level of it. Appearing to have died, he is taken to the TARDIS by Bill, who has been restored to life by
11900-552: The servant Fabian in Twelfth Night and the protagonist Jonathan Harker in Dracula , in 1983 and 1984, among many others; and appeared in an episode or two for drama shows such as the legal-drama Shadow of the Noose in 1989, and mystery-drama Agatha Christie's Poirot in 1991. Capaldi got his first starring role on television as Luke Wakefield, a strange man who imagines he has witnessed
12019-479: 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
12138-454: The stage play The Ladykillers . He won a BAFTA Scotland award for Outstanding Contribution to Film & Television. Capaldi wrote a rock album titled St. Christopher . He is married to actress Elaine Collins and the pair have a child together. Capaldi was born on 14 April 1958 in Glasgow , Scotland, to Gerald and Nancy ( née Soutar) Capaldi. His paternal grandfather was Italian, while
12257-542: The tenth series would be his last. His final episode was the Christmas special, " Twice Upon a Time ", in which he was succeeded by actress Jodie Whittaker . His performance as the Doctor was widely praised; with his Doctor being characterised as one who started out rude and grumpy, with a short fuse, but who grew and mellowed over time, into the perfect embodiment of kindness and love. Capaldi's post- Doctor Who has partially involved voice acting: in 2018, he voiced Rabbit in
12376-416: The timely intervention of her love interest, Heather ( Stephanie Hyam ). The Doctor wakes up alone, and vows not to regenerate. Clinging onto his life, he wanders out of his TARDIS and encounters his first incarnation ( David Bradley ) who is facing similar reservations about his pending regeneration . In the Christmas special " Twice Upon A Time ", the two Doctors reflect on their lives and, after witnessing
12495-399: The two men quickly become good friends. His great-uncle then reveals that he wishes to make Adam the heir to his estate, Lesser Hill. Adam travels there and quickly finds himself at the center of mysterious events, with Sir Nathaniel de Salis, a friend of Richard Salton's, as his guide. Edgar Caswall, the new heir to a neighboring estate, Castra Regis or Royal Camp, is in the process of making
12614-514: The video versions of Lewis' " Someone You Loved ". It was made in partnership with the charity organisation Live Life Give Life , in order to raise awareness for the issue of organ donation. He grew up Catholic but is now an atheist . In 2015, Capaldi alongside Cate Blanchett , Patrick Stewart , and Colin Firth supported the United Nations' refugee agency UNHCR to help raise awareness about
12733-412: Was also implied by the character himself in the theatrical short " The Doctor's Meditation " in which he states that Clara believes he has the condition. Mark Gatiss said that Capaldi's Doctor was "sort of Tom Baker , Jon Pertwee and even Christopher Eccleston style...it's someone who's not immediately going to be your best friend and can be quite abrupt and rude." Moffat added to this analysis of
12852-416: Was an early favourite following the announcement of Matt Smith's departure, said that he had been approached with a view to assessing whether he would be interested in playing the Doctor, with his name remaining as a potential contender until just before the live BBC broadcast. Doctor Who head writer and executive producer Steven Moffat said that Capaldi "briefly flicked through [his] mind" while casting
12971-658: Was cast as the Doctor: Lobus Caecilius in the Doctor Who episode " The Fires of Pompeii ". The following year he played civil servant John Frobisher in the third series of the Doctor Who spin-off , Torchwood . The start of 2013 saw Capaldi portraying the editor of The Guardian Alan Rusbridger , in The Fifth Estate , starring in Inside the Mind of Leonardo , a documentary about Leonardo da Vinci and appearing as
13090-408: Was characterised by Scott Roxborough of The Hollywood Reporter as "more interested in contemplating issues such as those of race, gender and other institutional disorders, in an ever increasing, politically polarized Britain." In addition, Capaldi made his return to theatre and directing: stage acting in a revival of Constellations in 2021, acting against Sheila Atim ; and directed a pilot for
13209-446: Was complimented by The A.V. Club ' s Wilkins as recalling "a more emotionally complex version of the repartee that Jon Pertwee's Doctor and Roger Delgado 's Master had during their many encounters". After the broadcast of " World Enough and Time ", Steven Moffat paid a special tribute to Capaldi, saying "Peter only has to think at the screen and you know what he's thinking [...] Despite trying to fight his emotions, he has given us
13328-459: Was his "plan from the start" that all the Doctors would fly in to save Gallifrey, and he knew there would be a new one at that time. He wrote it before knowing who would be cast. Capaldi filmed his appearance on 3 October 2013, long after principal photography for the special had ended, and the same day he filmed his debut scene for "The Time of the Doctor". Capaldi kept his native Scottish accent for
13447-407: Was nominated and won various awards, with IndieWire 's Erik Kohn describing it as " brilliant mix of gothic horror and holiday cheer" and praising the ambiguous nature of the film. Capaldi also wrote and directed the drama film Strictly Sinatra , starring Ian Hart and Kelly Macdonald in 2001. These years saw Capaldi performing in various radio shows and audiobooks, with major roles including
13566-525: Was nominated various times at both the BAFTA TV Awards and Royal Television Society Awards for Best Comedy Actor. He won the 2010 BAFTA TV Award for Male Performance in a Comedy Role . He also won the 2010 and 2012 British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actor. Other major roles during these years included: Dr Pete in the Scottish crime-drama series The Field of Blood in 2011, for which he received
13685-626: Was particularly drawn to. I've lived in London for most of my life, and always loved Cardiff and Manchester and Belfast . But after the relentlessness of the past 12 years, everything we have been put through, it might just be time to go home and be a part of that." Capaldi holds dual citizenship; following Brexit , he acquired Italian citizenship by descent through his paternal grandfather who hailed from Picinisco . Capaldi has been nominated for various awards including three British Academy Television Award nominations and one win for Malcolm Tucker in In
13804-622: Was released in September 2015, with the stories of Deep Time , Royal Blood and Big Bang Generation ; the first two of these also feature the Twelfth Doctor and Clara, while Big Bang Generation sees the Twelfth Doctor reunited with the Seventh Doctor 's Virgin New Adventures companion Bernice Summerfield . In April 2017, three new novels were released, featuring new companions Nardole and Bill Potts. They are titled The Shining Man , Diamond Dogs and Plague City . In February 2019,
13923-490: Was revealed as the next Doctor, succeeding Matt Smith in the role, and made his first appearance as the Doctor in cameos in the 2013 specials , first in the 50th anniversary special, " The Day of the Doctor ", then the 2013 Christmas special, " The Time of the Doctor ", taking over the role at the end of the episode. Capaldi made his first regular in Doctor Who in the episode " Deep Breath " later that year, leading 40 episodes, consisting of three series and four specials during
14042-518: Was revealed on 4 August during a live broadcast on BBC One , titled Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor . The live show, hosted by Zoe Ball , was watched by an average of 6.27 million in the UK, and was also simulcast in the United States, Canada and Australia. While Capaldi was the first choice for the role, other actors were also approached in case Capaldi should turn the offer down. Ben Daniels , who
14161-459: 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
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