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Actor Peter Capaldi just gave two-week-old Prince George a run for his money in the international publicity department.
Capaldi (“The Thick Of It,” “Torchwood”) made worldwide headlines Sunday when, live on British TV, he was anointed the newest star of “Dr. Who,” the iconic BBC series celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The beloved time-traveling sci-fi series is shown around the world — including the US, where it’s one of BBC America’s top shows.
“Dr. Who” expert Cavan Scott, co-author (with Mark Wright) of “Dr. Who: Who-ology,” says he “literally punched my fist in the air” when he heard that Capaldi, a 55-year-old Glaswegian, snared the role.
“First and foremost, he’s a proper actor, a real actor . . . this man has a real legacy both in the theater and on TV,,” says Scott.
“Here is someone at the top of his game,” Scott says of Capaldi. “He’s someone who will make people sit up and take [‘Dr. Who’] seriously . . . someone who is incredibly versatile.”
Capaldi is expected to begin shooting “Dr. Who” early next year. Matt Smith, the 11th ‘Doctor,’ wraps his three-year “Dr. Who” run in December.
Capaldi is not only a self-professed “Dr. Who” geek but has also appeared on the show (in a 2008 episode). “It’s totally in his blood,” Scott says.