It was just announced that Peter Capaldi is joining the cast of Doctor Who as the 12th Doctor. So, which are the must watch items on his acting resume?
For American audiences, Peter Capaldi may not exactly be a household name, but he is better known in the U.K. where he has had a variety of roles on BBC and ITV shows. Recently he’s had success in film like World War Z where he is, hilariously, billed as the W.H.O. Doctor.
The Doctor is a tough part. You have to be part-clown, part-intellectual, part-innocent, and part-omniscient. As if all that isn’t enough, you have to be charming and likable or the audience will stop watching. You can be grumpy, but it’s got to be more lovable curmudgeon than sarcastic twit.
The Doctor also needs a certain chemistry with the companion. Now we don’t mean romantic chemistry, though the reboot series seems to have gone for that more often than not, it’s an acting chemistry, a rhythm that just works. It’s what David Tennant and Catherine Tate had in the reboot era and Lis Sladen and Tom Baker had in the classic era. It’s something almost undefinable that just simply clicks.
Here are just a few of the roles that you should see Peter Capaldi in to gain an appreciation of his acting range.
First up we might like to review his previous appearances in the Whovian Universe in Doctor Who and Torchwood respectively:
Next check him out in World War Z and in Maleficent:
If you want to see him in something from his early career check out Local Hero. It’s a brilliant movie that doesn’t get enough credit.
In a bit of trivia, he’s great friends with superfan Craig Ferguson. They used to be in a band together.
He rose to fame thanks to his lead role in the film In The Loop. Below is a collection of all the times he uses the F-word in it:
Finally, you must watch him in The Thick Of It as Malcom Tucker. Here’s a round up of some of his best moments: