The actor didn’t think he was a big enough star to land the part.

Now he’s the star of Doctor Who – but Peter Capaldi once turned down the chance to audition for the part of the Time Lord.
Capaldi revealed last year that he refused to try out for the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie – because he was convinced he wouldn’t be succesful.
Speaking to press including Digital Spy this week, the actor elaborated on his decision to pass on the project.

“I loved the show so much, but I knew I wouldn’t get the part, so I didn’t want to put myself through that experience,” he said. “Why would you? What would be the point?
“It was tempting, but I knew what would happen, so there was no point. The only point would’ve been to go and say, ‘I was this close to being Doctor Who – I got to meet them, I got to read the script!’ – and I’d rather not.”

The role of the eighth Doctor went to Paul McGann, who wouldn’t play the part again on-screen for 17 years – reprising the character for a 2013 webisode.

“Paul was a big star – they were always going to give it to a big star,” Capaldi said. “I loved Paul, he was great – but there was no way I was going to get that part.
“I was wise enough to know that they were just adding me as a name on the list. So I thought, no, I don’t want to go near that.”

It all worked out in the end, of course – Capaldi’s second series of Doctor Who continues this Saturday (November 14) at 8.15pm.

News Source: Digital Spy