Now that we know Peter Capaldi is going to be the new Doctor, we're wondering what his signature wardrobe will be. These photos take us back to the days when Matt Smith's Doctor was still in development—as was his outfit.
Smith's Doctor went through a couple of rumpled looks before settling into the tweed jacket and bow tie—and at least one dark businessman outfit. Steven Moffat has said that the bow tie was Smith's idea, that he was a great admirer of Patrick Troughton's Second Doctor and liked the idea of a Doctor in a bow tie. Moffat says he was skeptical at first, but later admitted that the bow tie was the perfect fit for Smith. In a couple of these shots, Smith looks confused as to how he ended up in those particular clothes.
Arthur Darvill Pleased with Capaldi Casting
Former Doctor Who heartthrob Arthur Darvill says that Peter Capaldi is the perfect appointment as the new Timelord – and reckons Whovians can expect a shake-up in the show’s style. Darvill and Karen Gillan bowed out from their long-standing roles as husband and wife Rory Williams and Amy Pond last year, and will be joined in the show's history books by out-going lead Matt Smith later this year when he leaves the Tardis behind for the final time.
Smith will regenerate into Scots actor Capaldi after this year’s Christmas special and Darvill thinks this can only add to the continued longevity of the cult BBC sci-fi series.
“I think it’s brilliant,” the 31-year-old told The Big Issue of Capaldi’s appointment. “It will be really hard for him to follow Matt, of course, who has made it his own. But I think it is the right time for him to leave and who better to take over than one of the best actors in the country.
“I think Peter Capaldi is amazing and I think it will be very interesting to see what he does with it. If you look at what he’s done in the past, he’s so different and I think he’ll bring a lot to the character.
“Obviously I’m sad to see Matt go but judging by the reaction everyone seems really excited. I think they are giving the fans what they want. To be honest I can’t think of anyone else who could have done it.
If they got another young Doctor then maybe the show wouldn’t have lasted. They’ll have to write different stories for him and it will really open up the show in a different direction. If they got another young Doctor then maybe the show wouldn’t have lasted but now I can only see it going on and on and on.”
Around this time last year, fans of the classic series were preparing for Darvill’s final appearance as the endearing Rory after three seasons in a central role alongside dynamic duo Smith and Gillan.
Having worked closely with Smith over the past number of years, not only on Doctor Who but also in theatre and in ITV hit drama Broadchurch, he knows better than most what it takes to thrive as one of television’s most iconic names.
“It’s about having confidence,” Darvill explained. “When Matt started there was a lot of fear involved but once he got going he was fearless. He’s a very close friend of mine and I learned a lot from working with him.
“It’s truly about confidence. And that doesn’t come from arrogance – it’s about not fearing getting it wrong. Not fearing failure and knowing you can fuck it up if you need to. You just go for it.
“That’s something you need to play this part. It’s about strength in your convictions, which very few people have in the way Matt does.”
What outfit do you want to see the 12th Doctor wearing?