By David Wharton | 7 years ago

The process of introducing a new Doctor to a world full of dedicated Doctor Who fans is always a nerve-wracking process. As we’ve seen time and time again, a good portion of the fans will react negatively to the new guy simply because he isn’t the old guy, even if many of them will eventually be won over. And the behind-the-scenes work of actually finding has been described by Who showrunner Steven Moffat as “terrifying.” We’ve known that the Twelfth Doctor will be played by Torchwood: Children of Earth actor Peter Capaldi for a while now, but now executive producer Steven Moffat has given us a small insight into that secretive process: script pages used created actors auditioning for the role of the Doctor.

The script pages popped up in a recent issue of Doctor Who Magazine — before the reveal of Capaldi, actually. Don’t go in hoping for spoilers, though, because these aren’t excerpts from any existing or upcoming episodes of the show; they were created specifically for the audition process. The first page picks up with the Doctor having just regenerated into his Twelfth incarnation, running through the usual business of figuring out what his new body looks like. (There is, of course, a Matt Smith chin joke.)

1. INT. TARDIS The new Doctor is checking out the new body. Clara, watching. It’s been a few minutes, they’re both still adjusting. 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 second page we’re including has a sweet but creepy scene between the Doctor and a little boy who’s scared of his room. There’s always something charming when the Doctor is interacting with children, and that certainly makes sense given that the show is a childhood staple for many in the U.K. (and elsewhere, for that matter). Unsurprisingly, I can’t help reading these in Matt Smith’s voice.

3. The Doctor and a little boy. They’re sitting in the little boy’s bedroom. THE DOCTOR: Does everyone tell you it’s going to be all right? LITTLE BOY: Yes. THE DOCTOR: Do you believe them? LITTLE BOY: No. THE DOCTOR: Good man. Tell me what happens when the lights go out. LITTLE BOY: No. THE DOCTOR: Because you’re scared? (Silence) Because you think I won’t believe you. Because you think I’ll tell you everything’s fine, when you know it isn’t, and leave you alone like all the other grown-ups? LITTLE BOY:… yes. THE DOCTOR: Look at me. Am I grown up? LITTLE BOY: Yes. THE DOCTOR: Good! You’re the very first person I’ve fooled. Look, what if I promise I won’t tell you it’s okay. What if I just listen, and then try my best to help, and never tell you that I know better. How about that? LITTLE BOY: …okay. THE DOCTOR: Okay. So. You turn the lights out – then what? LITTLE BOY: The room… changes. In the dark. THE DOCTOR: You mean the room is different when you can’t see it. LITTLE BOY: Yes. THE DOCTOR: Every time? LITTLE BOY: Yes. THE DOCTOR: Different how? LITTLE BOY: It’s wet. When I touch the walls, they’re all wet. THE DOCTOR: Like damp. Like water running down them? LITTLE BOY: No. Wet like a mouth.

Dang it, I kind of want to see the rest of that story now.

SPOILERS BELOW!

Doctor Who’s season finale a few months ago ended with a major cliffhanger, introducing “John Hurt as The Doctor” and confirming rumors that his role in the 50th anniversary special would be a previously unknown incarnation of the time lord. And not just an unknown version, but a version who apparently did some very dark things during his time in the TARDIS. As Matt Smith’s Eleven put it, the name “the Doctor” is a promise, and John Hurt’s Doctor is “the one who broke the promise.” Ominous, to say the least.

All signs point toward Hurt’s Doctor being the one who preceded Christopher Eccleston’s Ninth Doctor — the one who fought in the Time War that went down in the time between Fox’s 1996 Doctor Who TV movie and the first episode of Who’s modern run. There are also rumors that Paul McGann, who played the Eighth Doctor in the aforementioned TV movie, will be putting in an appearance in the 50th anniversary episode, so we may theoretically see him regenerate into Hurt. Either way, Tenth Doctor David Tennant and companion Rose (Billie Piper) will be along for the ride and sharing the screen with Matt Smith (and probably Peter Capaldi at the end, unless they’re holding his regeneration back for the Christmas episode).

The two images below are from the 50th anniversary, showcasing Daleks and some presumably Dalek-created carnage. The 50th anniversary episode will premiere on November 23, which can’t get here soon enough in my opinion.