We still don't know who will be replacing Matt Smith as the star of Doctor Who. And we don't know how the Doctor will change when he regenerates into a new and possibly quite different form. But now, at least, we can read the scripts that the actors vying for the role will be reading.


These script pages, written by showrunner Steven Moffat, were published in the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine, and promptly found their way online via DoctorWhoTV. They're not excerpts from an upcoming episode or anything, and in fact they feel super-generic. The main thing they reveal is that the new Doctor will behave... pretty much exactly the same way as Matt Smith, for as long as Moffat is in charge.

Meanwhile, the BBC also released three images from the 50th anniversary special, showing Daleks surrounded by flames. (See above and below.) And they announced the special will be simulcast all over the world at the same time to avoid spoilers — which means 11 AM PST and 2 PM EST in the United States.


So here are those script pages:

THE DOCTOR: Right then, eyesight. Not bad, bit blue. Ears – not pointy, right way up, more or less level. Face – well I’ve got one. Oh, no – French!

CLARA: French.

THE DOCTOR: I’ve deleted French! Plus all cookery skills, and the breast stroke. And hopping. Never mind hopping, who needs to hop. Ohh, the kidneys are interesting. Never had that before – interesting kidneys.

CLARA: Are you all right?

THE DOCTOR: I don’t know, do I look all right?

CLARA: I don’t know.

THE DOCTOR: How’s the face? Seems all right from the inside. Nice action, responsive. Bit less heft on the chin. How is it?

CLARA: It’s… okay.

THE DOCTOR: Okay?

CLARA: It’s a bit… you know.

THE DOCTOR: No I don’t, I haven’t seen it yet.

CLARA: Maybe it’s just new.

THE DOCTOR: Have you changed height?

CLARA: No.

THE DOCTOR: You sure?

CLARA: It’s you, your height, you’re the one who’s changed.

THE DOCTOR: And look at your nose.

CLARA: What about my nose?

THE DOCTOR: It was really cute, I loved your nose, you should’ve kept it.

CLARA: I did, it’s the same nose, it’s the same all of me. You’re the one who’s… regenerated, whatever you call it.

THE DOCTOR: Are you wearing a smell?

CLARA: Do you mean perfume?

THE DOCTOR: Yes, I suppose it could be perfume.

CLARA: You’ve always liked that perfume, you said so.

THE DOCTOR: No I didn’t, that was the Doctor.

CLARA: You’re the Doctor.

THE DOCTOR: Yes, I suppose I am. That’s going to take a bit of getting used to.

CLARA: Yeah, it really is.

2. INT. SPACE SHIP BRIDGE The Doctor is facing down the Cyberleader, who stares balefully down from the screen. The bridge around the Doctor is burning, ruined. THE DOCTOR: Ah, Cyberleader, hello! CYBERLEADER: Do you have a response, Doctor. THE DOCTOR: Yes, I do. Definitely got a response. And here it is. Yes, your ears look big in that! Sorry, did I misunderstand the question? CYBERLEADER: You will return the stolen cargo. THE DOCTOR: Yeah, well, two points. One, I didn’t steal it. No, actually, I did steal it, I was just hoping if I said that I’d think of a really good excuse before the end of the sentence. Didn’t happen, never mind. Point two – well, point one, second attempt – that isn’t cargo. Those are human beings. CYBERLEADER: They are primed for conversion. THE DOCTOR: I’ve unprimed them. CYBERLEADER: You will return the cargo. THE DOCTOR: No, I won’t. CYBERLEADER: Then the cargo will be taken. THE DOCTOR: Not going to happen, and do you know what’s going to stop you? CYBERLEADER: We will not be stopped. The Doctor raises a finger. THE DOCTOR: Tell it to the finger. See this finger? See what I’m doing with this finger right now. The Doctor moves to the screen. Starts drawing a line across. THE DOCTOR: I’m drawing a line between this ship and you. Between all these people and all your metal men. And this line, it’s a magic line CYBERLEADER: Magic is not logical THE DOCTOR: I know – isn’t it great? Because I’ll tell you what. All these people on this ship are now, officially, under the protection of the magic line. Now, I’ll be honest, these guys in here are a bit annoying. They keep having their own opinions, and sometimes they take turns talking instead of me, which is just boring for everyone. But facts are facts, they’re behind the magic line, and that’s the way it is now. And to be clear, so we all understand the deal here, if any of your handle-heads happens to cross the magic line, even by accident, do you know what will happen to you then? CYBERLEADER: What will happen? THE DOCTOR: Me

Read one more audition script in the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine. [via Blastr]