SNEAK PEEK: Matt Smith makes his full debut in the new series of Doctor Who... but will he live up to the hype?

By Lizzie Smith

First glimpse: Matt Smith and as the Doctor and Karen Gillan as Amy Pond in the new series of Doctor Who


Fans have been waiting for this moment ever since David Tennant announced he was leaving Doctor Who.

After months of speculation about how the youngest-ever Doctor will take to the role, they will finally get to see Matt Smith in action on Easter Saturday.

And as these pictures show, he is immediately thrown into the middle of an action-packed adventure as danger strikes before he can recover from his regeneration

With the Tardis wrecked and the sonic screwdriver destroyed, the new Doctor has just 20 minutes to save the whole world.

His regeneration, which began at the end of the previous episode, destroyed the Tardis, which then also began to regenerate, crash landing in a quiet English village.

Luckily it isn't long before he encounters Amy Pond, played by 22-year-old Karen Gillan, who helps him fend off the Atraxi as his new companion.

The Atraxi are galactic policemen and they are chasing a mysterious criminal, after entering the world through a crack in Amy's bedroom wall.


Brooding: The Doctor, his shirt shabby and frayed, gives a chilling stare as he tucks into his tea


The episode sees guest appearances from EastEnders's Nina Wadia and One Foot In The Grave's Annette Crosbie.

Later episodes will see James Corden, Tony Curran, Ian McNeice, Sophie Okonedo and Meera Syal join the cast.

The details of the new Tardis remain an on-screen surprise for viewers but Smith says he was like a boy in a sweet shop when he first set foot in it.

'It's like a Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche all moulded into one,' says the 27-year-old.


Intense: Police woman Amy stares at the Doctor as he grabs her arm, but she soon overcomes her fears to become the new companion


'It's so incredible because the Tardis is an icon of our cultural history and suddenly I'm the one who's flying it.

'I am quite clumsy though so I kept breaking parts of the console and the poor production team had to keep fixing it.

'But the Tardis is a magic concept and it provides a constant source of wonderment and adventure for both the Doctor and the viewers.'


Modern man: After crash-landing the Tardis in a quiet English village the Doctor is in need of assistance


Arch enemy: The Doctor inspects a miniature dalek figurine - his biggest enemy is back


There have been ten previous incarnations of the Doctor, each with their own quirks, but Smith says his version is unique.

'He is still the same man but I think my Doctor is a bit more reckless; he's a thrill-seeker and addicted to time travel.

'He is the mad buffoon genius who saves the world because he's got a great heart, spirit and soul but he also doesn't suffer fools. I hope all of these things come across but I think I've also injected a bit of my own personality into the role.'

The new series sees Amy and the Doctor travel to 16th-century Venice, explore France during the 1890s and visit the United Kingdom in the far future, now an entire nation floating in space


On the ward: Amy, Rory Williams, played by Arthur Darvill, and The Doctor


However, the Doctor's enemies are never far behind him, including old nemeses the daleks and weeping agels, plus new monsters such as alien vampires, humanoid reptiles and a silent menace that follows the Doctor wherever he goes.

'I loved filming the vampire stuff in Croatia which doubled up for Venice,' says Matt.

'I had to climb a huge bell tower with a rain machine pummelling water at me. It was freezing cold but I absolutely loved it.


Two iconic images: Winston Churchill, played by Ian McNeice, encounters a World War II dalek


'I also enjoyed filming part of episode 10 when I was yanked through the air on a harness after being hit by an invisible monster.

'However, my favourite scene to film was in episode one when I ate fish fingers and custard with Amelia. Luckily they were actually breaded cakes so it wasn't quite as bad as it sounds.

'I had to eat a lot of them but it was an enchanting scene so it was worth it.'
The first episode of the new series is broadcast on BBC1 at 6.20pm on April 3.


Guest actor: Later episodes will see James Corden, Tony Curran, Ian McNeice, Sophie Okonedo and Meera Syal join the cast


source: dailymail