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"Doctor Who" returning with new season, new Doctor

"Doctor Who" is traveling back to TV screens this weekend, with a new (and also older) face stepping into the TARDIS.

Actor Peter Capaldi will make his official debut as the Time Lord when the sci-fi series' new season premieres Saturday on BBC America.

Capaldi takes over for Matt Smith, who departed the role last year. A lifelong "Doctor Who" fan, Capaldi is the 12th actor in the show's history to play the time-traveling, shape-shifting character.

The 56-year-old Scottish actor says he's "apprehensive, excited, and keen" for fans to get their hands on the new season.

"They can look forward to some scary episodes, and some funny ones, and a Doctor who is difficult to keep up with, and who is more alien than perhaps we've seen for a while," Capaldi added in a BBC America Q&A.

He joins Jenna Coleman, who is reprising her role as the Doctor's assistant Clara Oswald. Recent reports speculated the actress may be departing the series after the Christmas special, but Capaldi dismissed those rumors in an interview on Britain's "The One Show."

"I'm not looking for a new assistant. I don't know where these rumors have started," he said. "I've read she may be leaving at Christmas, but I don't even know if she'll get to Christmas, you'll have to watch it and see what happens."

Fans will get to do just that now that the premiere episode, titled "Deep Breath," is almost here. They can also tune in for an interview with Capaldi, Coleman and executive producer Stephen Moffat Saturday on "CBS This Morning," ahead of the new season's debut at 8 p.m. ET on BBC America.

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