'Doctor Who' Season 8 Premiere: See 'Deep Breath' In Theaters And What To Expect From Peter Capaldi

The “Doctor Who” Season 8 premiere is just a few weeks away, and the BBC is celebrating Peter Capaldi and the new Doctor in a major way. The first episode of the season, “Deep Breath,” will screen in theaters across the U.S. Aug. 23, with additional screenings set for Aug. 25, and BBC America has planned a week of “Doctor Who” specials leading up to the Season 8 premiere.

BBC America announced its “Doctor Who” Season 8 premiere Aug. 23 will be preceded by “Doctor Who: Live Pre-Show,” beginning at 7:30 p.m. EDT and hosted by Chris Hardwick (“Talking Dead”). A “Doctor Who: After Who Live” special will be shown the same day at 11 p.m. EDT. It will feature guests and “Doctor Who” and “Sherlock” writer Mark Gatiss, who also appeared as Tycho Nestoris in “Game of Thrones” Season 4. In anticipation of the premiere, BBC America will present several “Doctor Who” specials beginning Aug. 16.

BBC will also screen “Deep Breath,” which clocks in at 97-plus minutes, in theaters Aug. 23 at midnight. The episode will be shown in 12 cities across the U.S. As part of “Doctor Who Season Premiere: Deep Breath,” theaters will present additional content, including a behind-the-scenes feature and a “prequel scene.” A full list of participating theaters can be viewed via Fathom Events. The BBC also has launched the “Doctor Who” world tour with stops in seven countries around the world.

While a quick synopsis and the identities of a few guest stars have been made public, the BBC has tried to keep many of Capladi’s adventures as the new Doctor a secret before Aug. 23, despite a few episode and script leaks. “Doctor Who” showrunner Steven Moffat discussed the choice of Capaldi with Entertainment Weekly, saying he didn’t want to choose another young Doctor. Moffat also discussed the new Doctor’s wardrobe with SFX. Meanwhile, Jenna Coleman, who is returning as the Doctor’s companion, Clara Oswald, told EW a bit more about the “Doctor Who” Season 8 guest stars

Gatiss shed some light on the new Doctor’s personality in an interview with Ham&High Broadway. Based on previews and trailers, “Doctor Who” Season 8 appears to be a bit darker, with Clara unsure of the new Doctor, and Gatiss agrees, saying, “He’s that sort of Tom Baker, Jon Pertwee and even Christopher Eccleston style actually: It’s someone who’s not immediately going to be your best friend and can be quite abrupt and rude.”

The “Doctor Who” Season 8 premiere episode, “Deep Breath,” will make its debut on BBC America Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. EDT.