He really is Doctor Who...Matt Smith goes unnoticed as he slips out for lunch in Beverly Hills



Matt Smith was just another face in the crowd when he stepped out for a bite to eat earlier this week – but all that could soon change when he gets his Hollywood break in Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut.



The 30-year-old actor cut a rather innocuous figure on Tuesday during a lunch date with pals at popular restaurant Le Pan in Beverly Hills.



But while those more familiar with his time-travelling exploits in Doctor Who would instantly recognise the star on this side of the pond – where the show is something of an institution – Smith failed to raise a murmur from his fellow diners.



I'll be off then: Matt Smith quietly slips out of Le Pan restaurant in Beverly Hills after enjoying some lunch with pals on Tuesday

Not that he seemed particularly bothered – the actor is no doubt happy to maintain his privacy while he still can, having been cast in Gosling’s How to Catch a Monster.

Indeed, the only thing liable to turn heads at Le Pan were Matt’s garish green socks – all the more visible thanks to a sombre black outfit comprised of a printed Arcade Fire t-shirt, skinny turned-up jeans and shiny black boots.



The British star also carried a fetching red carry bag – possibly carrying the script for his new film – as he quietly slipped out of the restaurant and made his way back to his waiting car while he munched on what appeared to be a plastic straw.

Green with envy: The Timelord shows off some fetching lime green socks as he makes his way back to his car munching on a straw

The Tardis it ain't: Matt unlocks the drivers door of his car, those fetching socks still on full display, following his Beverly Hills lunch date

Matt’s socks were also something of an eye-catcher at a Doctor Who panel discussion in Beverly Hills on July 25, when he was joined onstage by his time-travelling side-kick in the show – stunning former Emmerdale actress Jenna-Louise Coleman.



On the day the actor’s sartorial astuteness seemed to be left in his hotel room as he talked about the show he will leave this Christmas in a mis-matched knitted jumper, stripy pink and blue socks and the same shiny boots he wore for his recent lunch-date.



Matt announced his decision to leave the Tardis for pastures new earlier this year, effectively bringing the curtain down on his three-year stint as the Time Lord.

Bye bye: Matt drives back to his hotel after enjoying a spot of lunch with some pals at popular restaurant Le Pan

The actor stepped into the coveted role as a relative unknown and was initially given the daunting task of filling the large shoes left by David Tenant – whose portrayal of the Doctor was a huge hit with fiercely loyal fans of the long-running show.



He will now test the fickle Hollywood waters with a starring role in his new film, which also features Mad Men regular Christina Hendricks and director Gosling’s own girlfriend, sultry star Eva Mendes.



The forthcoming film – billed as a fantasy neo-noir – is a labour of love for Gosling, who also wrote and co-produced it.



How to Catch a Monster is expected to get an official release in 2014.

Nice: Matt shows off his stripy socks during a Doctor Who panel discussion with co-star Jenna-Louise Coleman

Talking time travel: Matt Smith discusses all things Doctor Who with co-star Jenna-Louise Coleman and show producer Marcus Wilson in Beverly Hills









