Though the Twelfth Doctor is dreading his oncoming regeneration within the show, Peter Capaldi himself couldn’t be more pleased with his upcoming successor. As you’ve probably heard a hundred times by now, Jodie Whittaker has been cast as the first female lead in Doctor Who‘s 54 year history. It turns out that Capaldi has already met with Whittaker as well and given her some advice about playing the part.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly during San Diego Comic-Con last week, the actor noted that it was lovely to talk with his replacement and revealed what he told her.
“I said just enjoy it because it’s absolutely incredible. She’ll be fabulous. It was lovely to speak to her and see how much affection and passion she has for the show. She’s going to be brilliant.”
Capaldi also spoke about why his upcoming final episode is so important to him. In this year’s Christmas outing, the Doctor meets his first incarnation (played by Harry Potter‘s David Bradley), and here’s why that’s special for the actor.
“That’s obviously the first Doctor I remember. The show started when I was 5 years old, and I have this really distant memory of this strange, rather grumpy man in the TARDIS, but him being rather magical. … For me, it was lovely. It was like full-circle.”
Titled “Twice Upon A Time,” the episode will feature Pearl Mackie returning (for one last time) as companion Bill Potts, while Mark Gatiss will cameo as a World War I soldier currently only known as “The Captain.” Of course, Jodie Whittaker will be involved as well, making her Doctor Who debut in the final moments, in a sequence written by incoming showrunner Chris Chibnall.
Suffice it to say, this is one outing for the series that you won’t want to miss.