7. Physicality
Whether on screen or off, Peter Capaldi has a very specific physical presence. As Clara describes the Twelfth Doctor in 2014's Listen, he can be compared to "a big grey-haired stick insect" and while this may be unflattering, it's certainly not far from the truth. Indeed, the Doctor has become more and more physical as he's gone on lately. Smith's sporadic, jerky movements gave the Doctor a frenetic, youthful energy which worked well on-screen. When played by Peter Capaldi, however, the Doctor's movements become even more exaggerated; his movements are simultaneously fluid and staccato making for a peculiar viewing experience which only serves to ram home the point that the Doctor is, truly, alien. Now the Doctor's body somewhat reflects his actual age, his physicality is extremely important in keeping his portrayal fresh and interesting. While critics were initially worried that the show would take on a slower pace, due in part to the potential loss of all the running about, it was soon proven that Capaldi's Doctor could keep up with the younger bucks that preceded him and the show, if anything, ramped up a gear.