First picture of Capaldi as the Doctor

Filming started today on the first episode of series 8 of Doctor Who. Below is the first picture of Peter Capaldi as The Doctor.

Here’s what the BBC had to say.

“The new Doctor, Peter Capaldi, stepped on set today for his first full day of filming as production begins on series 8 of the hit BBC show.

10.2 million tuned-in on Christmas Day to get their first glimpse of Capaldi in one of TV’s most iconic roles in the festive special ‘The Time of the Doctor’, which saw Matt Smith hang-up his bow tie after 4 years in the role.

Capaldi was revealed as the Doctor in a live BBC One show in August, after months of speculation about the next Doctor’s identity.

Arriving on set in Cardiff to begin filming, Peter Capaldi said:

“New job, first day, slightly nervous. Just like the Doctor, I’m emerging from the TARDIS into a whole other world.”

Steven Moffat, Lead Writer and Executive Producer, added:

“First the eyebrows! Then, at Christmas, the face! Coming soon, the whole Doctor. In the Cardiff studios, the Capaldi era begins.

The first episode of series 8 has been written by Steven Moffat with the second episode by Phil Ford. These are the first episodes that Peter will film and are directed by Ben Wheatley.
This move shatters the tradition of filming the new Doctor, they normally film the fourth and fifth episodes first.

The series is expected to air in August.

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Doctor Who news

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Today at the final BFI screening celebrating 50-years of Doctor Who, show runner Steven Moffat revealed that series 8 will not be split and that the full 13 episodes will air consecutively. The news will be welcomed by fans who have felt that the split series has been to the shows detriment.
Series 8 is expected to air in August 2014 and will see Peter Capaldi pick up the search for Gallifrey, with Jenna Coleman as his companion.
How do you feel about the news? Let us know below.

Matt Smith rumoured to be leaving Doctor Who

There’s a rumour doing the rounds that an email was “accidentally” sent from BBC worldwide to employees confirming that series 8 will consist of 12 episodes (including the 2014 Christmas special) and feature a new Doctor.
The series is said to air in August 2014. Which, if true would mean Matt Smith is going at Christmas and a 15 month gap between series 7 and series 8.

A reduced episode run would make sense. The split was budgetary and hasn’t proved popular. Luther, Merlin and Being Human all had their episodes reduced in their hight of popularity.

An official announcement is being made by the BBC, at midnight.

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