After months of waiting, the BBC has decided to have Whovians wait a couple more days before finally unveiling who will play the next Doctor.
As reported earlier, an announcement was made today to publicize that that the new Time Lord to replace Matt Smith will be revealed on Sunday, August 4, in a live broadcast on BBC 1 and simulcast live on BBC America!
The half hour show was planned under the code name ‘Houdini’ (get it? “Who”dini), and will be hosted by Zoe Ball who will not only unveil who the next Doctor will be but also conduct the first ever interview of the actor in front of a live studio audience.
Also included in this half hour special will be current Doctor Matt Smith and executive producer/showrunner Steven Moffat as well as past Doctors and companions as they recall their favorite moments from the series. Clips from the show’s 50 year history will also be shown.
Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning says:
“We can’t wait to unveil the next Doctor with everyone live on BBC1 on Sunday night. Amongst all the speculation and betting, there has been lots of fun and intrigue at work as we’ve been using the codename Houdini as a decoy! It’s the biggest secret in showbiz, even those working with the new Doctor on other projects at the moment have no idea they are in the presence of the 12th incarnation.”
“The decision is made and the time has come to reveal who’s taking over the TARDIS,” says Moffat. “For the last of the Time Lords, the clock is striking twelve.”
Who will the next Doctor be? Bets are on Peter Capaldi who is a familiar face in the Whoniverse as he played Caecilius in the Doctor Who episode ‘The Fires of Pompei’ and John Forbisher in ‘Torchwood: Children of Earth’. We’ll soon see if the rumors are true on Sunday.
Smith’s last episode as the 11th Doctor and the first appearance of the 12th Doctor will air this Christmas.
So those in America, make sure you tune in to BBC America on Sunday, August 4, at 2pm ET/11 am PT to see who will be the next Doctor!