The latest tick to hit the page for Peter Capaldi as Doctor Who is that of Bill Nighy’s; the British actor, talking at the premiere of his new film, About Time, offered up a full endorsement of the Scot, revealing that he’d been offered it in the past but turned it down.

Calling it a “brilliant, inspired choice” Nighy said: “It’s one of those things where you think ‘Of course he’s the Doctor,’” he added. “Why didn’t I think of that before? He’s a marvellous actor. He’ll be very good as the Doctor,” Nighy went on. “He’ll bring a lot of wit and dry humour. He’s elegant and he looks great.” (Metro)

About Time is Richard Curtis’ film as the director announced he’d be stepping down from directing. Nighy plays ‘Dad’, a man whose family has a weird quirk: the men in the family can all time travel. The sci-fi rom-com enjoyed its premiere at London’s Leicester Sq. last night.

“I was offered the role once, I won’t tell you when because the rule is that you’re not allowed to say you turned that job down because it’s disrespectful to whoever did it. I will say that I was approached,” Nighy admitted. “But I didn’t want to be the Doctor. No disrespect to Doctor Who or anything. I just think that it comes with too much baggage.”

For Capaldi, though, being the Doctor was always a dream come true. He watched him growing up as a kid and even posted a letter congratulating the BBC on an anniversary special when he was 15.

Peter Capaldi

Peter Capaldi is the new Dr.

Peter Capaldi


Peter Capaldi is the new Doctor Who!