During half-time of the World Cup finals, the official trailer for Doctor Who Series 8, starring Peter Capaldi as the latest incarnation of the Time Lord, was revealed.
With Matt Smith’s departure as the Eleventh Doctor at the end of Series 7, fans have been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to see Capaldi in action ahead of the August 24 premiere, and the new trailer does not disappoint.
As the preview begins, scenes of destruction are seen, including a view of the TARDIS control panel in flames. A few quick flashes of villains and allies follow, revealing interesting moments such as the Twelfth Doctor on a horse and a Tyrannosaurus Rex stomping around the Houses of Parliament. While the action unfolds, the new Doctor tells his Companion, Clara, that he has to do something about the many mistakes he has made, warning her that they will be travelling “into darkness.” The trailer ends with the Doctor asking Clara if he’s a good man. She replies that she doesn’t know.
Fans of the popular BBC series were treated to a quick peek of Capaldi as the new Doctor during the fiftieth anniversary special, “The Day of the Doctor,” but he didn’t officially take on the role until the final episode of the season, and then only appeared during the final moments. Some controversy has been brewing between fans during the hiatus regarding whether or not it was a good casting decision to bring on an older actor to portray the popular Time Lord after the previous three incarnations were played by younger individuals.
The Doctor’s companion for Series 8 continues to be Clara Oswald, portrayed by Jenna Coleman, who was introduced during the first half of the seventh series. Before taking the role of the Doctor, Peter Capaldi appeared in the series as Caecilius in the 2008 episode, “The Fires of Pompeii.”