Matt Smith

Matt Smith (born 28th October 1982) has been announced as the actor who will portray Eleventh Doctor. He will take over the role from 2010 onwards, taking over the role from Tenth Doctor actor David Tennant at the end of the 2009 specials. At 26, he will be the youngest actor to portray the Doctor the title role of Doctor Who.

Early life
Smith grew up in Northampton and attended Northampton School for Boys, mocked for having a face "with elbows". . He originally wanted to be a footballer but had to give up football after a back injury. After encouragement from his drama teacher he joined the National Youth Theatre.

He studied at University of East Anglia, reading Drama and Creative Writing.

Career
He has also appeared opposite Billie Piper (who played former companion Rose Tyler) in The Ruby In The Smoke, The Shadow In The North, and Secret Diary Of A Call Girl. On stage, he was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for That Face in 2008. At 26 years of age, Smith is the youngest actor ever to have played the Doctor on television (a record held for more than a quarter-century by Peter Davison). Following the conclusion of contract negotiations around Christmas 2008, Smith's casting was formally announced during a special broadcast of Doctor Who Confidential on BBC1 on January 3rd, 2009. Smith began filming his first full episodes as the Doctor in late July 2009.