If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.
The special memento Doctor Who's Matt Smith gave his successor Peter Capaldi as a regeneration gift
Matt Smith wanted to make sure Peter Capaldi felt welcomed into the world of Doctor Who
Popverse's top stories of the day
- Lore Corner: Let's talk about that WILD reveal in the Marvel's Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man finale
- WATCH: Watch Nickelodeon’s official SpongeBob SquarePants 25th anniversary celebration from NYCC 2024!
- MEMBERS ONLY: For Your Consideration: Emilia Pérez is a controversial awards frontrunner, but its musical heart has proven herself for decades and shown up in Pixar movies, Mariah Carey diss tracks, and moving ballads
Being a Time Lord can be a lonely experience. While each Doctor gets their own companion, it isn’t the same as having someone by your side who has been in your shoes. After all, being the lead actor in Doctor Who can be an overwhelming experience, since you’re the face of the entire production, and everything falls on you.
During a spotlight panel at CCXP, Matt Smith, who played the Eleventh Doctor, spoke about what it was like stepping into the role, and how the support of his predecessor was essential.
“I was very lucky that I had the wonderful David Tennant to come after, and he was just really kind and nice. But it’s nerve-wracking. You’ve never done it before, you get to Cardiff, there you are, you’re on the Tardis, you’ve never done any of it.”
According to Smith, the experience is overwhelming because all eyes are on you.
“Everyone is watching you. It’s a bit like this, because everyone goes, ‘Oh, let’s have a look at the new Doctor.’ And you’ve got to do this scene, and it’s so important.”
As a result, Smith felt some sympathy for Peter Capaldi, the actor who succeeded him as the Doctor.
“When I regenerated into Peter, I tried to make him feel as comfortable as possible. I gave him my watch actually. I gave him the Eleventh Doctor’s watch as a sort of passing on.”
It’s a sweet way to pass the torch. I hope the regeneration gifts are a tradition that continues whenever a new Doctor joins the series.
Want to know what's coming up next in pop culture? Check out Popverse's guides to:
About CCXP 2024
Dates
-
Follow Popverse for upcoming event coverage and news
Find out how we conduct our review by reading our review policy
Let Popverse be your tour guide through the wilderness of pop culture
Sign in and let us help you find your new favorite thing.
Comments
Want to join the discussion? Please activate your account first.
Visit Reedpop ID if you need to resend the confirmation email.