During a "special one-hour television event" today, the BBC announced that Peter Capaldi will play the 12th Doctor Who.

“Being asked to play The Doctor is an amazing privilege. Like the Doctor himself I find myself in a state of utter terror and delight. I can't wait to get started," Calpaldi told the BBC.

Capaldi, whose previous work includes the BBC programs The Hour and The Thick of It, will be revealed as the new doctor in the Doctor Who 2013 Christmas special -- which is also Matt Smith's final turn as the 11th Doctor Who. Capaldi also appeared in this summer's World War Z, where he ironically played a "W.H.O. Doctor."

Smith replaced David Tennant as Doctor Who in 2010 and is the youngest actor to have played the role. Other actors who have stepped into the Doctor's shoes include Tom Baker, Colin Baker, William Hartnell, Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, Patrick Troughton and Sylvester McCoy.