'Doctor Who' Season 8 Spoilers: Could Capaldi be the Last Doctor?

The TARDIS will land on American TV screens at the end of 2013 for the eighth season of "Doctor Who." The upcoming season will feature the handing off the sonic screwdriver from eleventh doctor Matt Smith to the newest regeneration of the Doctor, Peter Capaldi. 

Although Capaldi could play the Doctor for multiple seasons, fans are unsure of what could lay ahead for the future of the iconic show after Capaldi has finished his run. It is a "Doctor Who" rule that the Time Lord can only regenerate 12 times, making fans wonder if Capaldi will be the last Doctor. 

According to UK media outlet Metro News, showrunner Steven Moffat addressed this stipulation at Scotland's Edinburgh TV festival. The host at the event, Frank Skinner, asked Moffat: "Do you acknowledge the convention that the Doctor can only regenerate 12 times?"

Moffat simply replied, "yes," not giving away any information about what will happen once Capaldi's Doctor needs to regenerate. 

However, Moffat did address the question as to whether Capaldi would keep his Scottish accent or put on a British one. "I'd be very surprised if he didn't [keep it]," Moffat said, confirming that Capaldi will keep his native accent. 

Capaldi is best known for his role as the sharp-tongued Malcolm Tucker in the BBC political comedy series "The Thick Of It." He is also known for his role in the 1983 film "Local Hero," which took place in a bucolic Scottish town. 

It seems like Capaldi will bring his signature wry wit to his new role. Moffat commented that he thinks Capaldi will make an "older, trickier and fiercer" Doctor. He further said that the new Doctor may cause trouble for his assistant, Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman).

"I think the fun story will be - and we have the opportunity here - is this is what regeneration can do to you. He can be very, very different," Moffat said. 

Capaldi will make his debut as the 12th Doctor on the show's Christmas special, which will air on BBC America.