| The Twelfth Doctor | |
|---|---|
| Doctor Who character | |
.jpg) Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor | |
| First regular appearance | "Deep Breath" (2014) |
| Last regular appearance | "Twice Upon a Time" (2017) |
| Introduced by | Steven Moffat |
| Portrayed by | Peter Capaldi |
| Preceded by | Matt Smith (Eleventh Doctor) |
| Succeeded by | Jodie Whittaker (Thirteenth Doctor) |
| Information | |
| Tenure | 23 August 2014 – 25 December 2017 |
| No of series | 3 |
| Appearances | 35 stories (40 episodes) |
| Companions | |
| Chronology | |
The Twelfth Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He is portrayed by Scottish actor Peter Capaldi in three series as well as four specials. As with previous incarnations of the Doctor, the character has also appeared in other Doctor Who spin-offs.
Within the series' narrative, the Doctor is a millennia-old alien Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey who travels in time and space in the TARDIS, frequently with companions. When they are about to die, the Doctor regenerates; as a result, the physical appearance and personality of the Doctor changes. Capaldi's portrayal of the Doctor starts out as 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 (Matt Smith), he is followed by the Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker).
This incarnation's companions include school teacher Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman), who had travelled with his previous incarnation, for his first two series; and for his final series, canteen assistant and student Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie) and alien Nardole (Matt Lucas). He also made a guest appearance in the Doctor Who spin-off series Class, appearing in the show's first episode.