Twelfth Doctor

A spiky, brusque, contemplative, and pragmatic character who conceals his emotions in the course of making tough and sometimes ruthless decisions.

via Wikipedia: Twelfth Doctor · see source

Portrayed by Scottish actor Peter Capaldi in three series as well as four specials, the Twelfth Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. As with previous incarnations, the character has also appeared in other Doctor Who spin-offs. Capaldi's portrayal is initially 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, he is followed by the Thirteenth Doctor.

Quick Facts

Start: "Deep Breath" (2014)
Finish: "Twice Upon a Time" (2017)
Introduced: Steven Moffat
Portrayed: Peter Capaldi
Preceding: Matt Smith (Eleventh Doctor)
Succeeding: Jodie Whittaker (Thirteenth Doctor)
Period start: 23 August 2014
Period end: 25 December 2017

Lore & Background

The Twelfth Doctor's companions include school teacher Clara Oswald, who also travelled with his previous incarnation, for his first two series; and for his final series, university canteen assistant Bill Potts and humanoid cyborg Nardole. He also made a guest appearance in the Doctor Who spin-off series Class, appearing in the show's first episode. Capaldi had previously appeared playing other roles in the Doctor Who franchise: Lobus Caecilius in the 2008 episode 'The Fires of Pompeii' and John Frobisher in Children of Earth, the 2009 serial of the spin-off Torchwood. 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. Capaldi kept his native Scottish accent for the role. On 30 January 2017, Capaldi confirmed that the tenth series would be his last.

Reader's Guide

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,' the Twelfth Doctor cares little about being seen as a hero or even being liked by the people 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 is different. His costume has varied in some episodes: in 'Mummy on the Orient Express' he dons a period-appropriate tuxedo and 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.

Did You Know?

Capaldi was only a few months younger than William Hartnell (the First Doctor) was when he was cast, making Capaldi the oldest actor since Hartnell to star as the Doctor and the third oldest to portray the character.
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, filmed on 3 October 2013, long after principal photography for the special had ended.
The Twelfth Doctor's costume was designed so fans who enjoy cosplay could easily emulate it without going to great expense.