The moment 'Doctor Who' fans learned that Matt Smith would leave behind the iconic role at the end of 2013, the race began to see who would pick up the Sonic Screwdriver. That race finally came to a finish today, as actor Peter Capaldi was announced as the Twelfth Doctor! Capaldi had been considered a lock for the past few weeks, but what do we think about the new announcement?

The announcement arrived during a live special on BBC Sunday, which revealed the casting choice inch by inch, as recorded interviews with Matt Smith seemed to confirm the Doctor would once again be male. Many had expected 'Doctor Who' to shake things up by revealing a female doctor, or perhaps an actor of a different race, but it seems 'Doctor Who' series 8 will more or less prove business as usual.

Placing Capaldi ('World War Z') in the role certainly skews a bit older than the previous three incarnations, which seemed to get younger and younger from Christopher Eccleston, to David Tennant, and ultimately Matt Smith. How fans will react to the choice remains to be seen, but Capaldi will officially take the role during the 2013 Christmas special, one month after Doctors collide for the 50th Anniversary special.

Interestingly, Capaldi actually appeared on 'Doctor Who' in 2008 as marble merchant Caecilius, opposite David Tennant in season 4 episode “The Fires of Pompeii.” Even more, Capaldi also appeared on 'Torchwood: Children of Earth' as Permanent Secretary to the Home Office John Frobisher.

Well, what say you? Will Peter Capaldi come to own the role of 'Doctor Who' as Matt Smith did before him? Are you disappointed the BBC didn't shake things up? Give us your reactions to the news in the comments!

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