Twelfth Doctor

The Doctor

The Twelfth Doctor
Doctor Who character
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	36 stories (40 episodes)
Companions	Clara Oswald River Song Nardole Bill Potts
Chronology	Series 8 (2014) Series 9 (2015) Series 10 (2017)

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. At the end of life, the Doctor regenerates; as a result, the physical appearance and personality of the Doctor changes. Capaldi's portrayal of the Doctor is 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, 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.