(Karen Gillan as Amy Pond and Matt Smith as the new Doctor, (c) BBC)

The BBC has given the world the first glimpse of Matt Smith in costume as the new Doctor, a fairly low key outfit of a tweed jacket and bow tie, black trouser and boots. It all looks very 1950s university professor, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing – I like the Victorian/Edwardian look but it has been done to death in Who in the past – as, to me anyway, it recalls the unflappable boffins of classic 1950s era British science fiction like Quatermass and its ilk. Arriving for the start of filming for the new series (due next year), Matt Smith commented:

“I feel very privileged and proud to be part of this iconic show,” Smith said after arriving on set for his first day of filming. The scripts are brilliant – I’m excited about the future and all the brilliant adventures I get to go on as the Doctor.“