BBC to reveal new 'Doctor Who' star in live show on Sunday

[News_Editor]

LONDON, ENGLAND (BNO NEWS) -- British public broadcaster the BBC will reveal the identity of the 12th actor to play the lead role in the British science fiction TV series 'Doctor Who' during a live television show on Sunday, the network announced on Friday, promising a spectacular show.

The special half-hour show will be broadcast on BBC One at 7 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) on Sunday and simulcast on BBC America. The show's host, Zoë Ball, will unveil the 12th Doctor and conduct the first interview in front of a live studio audience set against the backdrop of a swirling vortex, among Daleks and the TARDIS.

"The decision is made and the time has come to reveal who's taking over the TARDIS. For the last of the Time Lords, the clock is striking twelve," said lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat. Current 'Doctor' Matt Smith, previous 'Doctors,' Moffat and other special guests will also appear on the show.

Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One, said the televised event is the "best way" to reveal the new Doctor, who will take over after Smith leaves the show following this year's Christmas special. "BBC One is the home of big live events and this special live show is the perfect way to reveal the identity of the next Doctor and share it with the nation," she said.

Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning, said the network was excited to reveal the actor's identity. "Amongst all the speculation and betting, there has been lots of fun and intrigue at work as we've been using the code-name Houdini as a decoy," he said. "It's the biggest secret in showbiz, even those working with the new Doctor on other projects at the moment have no idea they are in the presence of the 12th incarnation."

The 'Doctor Who' series will mark its 50th anniversary in November with a special episode that will see the return of actor David Tennant who portrayed the tenth incarnation of the Doctor when the popular series returned to television in 2005. Actress Billie Piper, who was Tennant's companion in the series, will also appear in the episode.

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