This story originally appeared on RealTime/STL.
St. Louis is experiencing a British invasion. Instead of The Beatles, though, the city’s dealing with “Doctor Who” fans.
The TV show, which traces its roots back to 1963, was reborn in 2005 and uses a clever plot devise that allows the main character, the Doctor, to “regenerate” as a different actor. The series’ 11th Doctor was played by Matt Smith, who’s credited with making bow ties and fezzes cool. Plenty of fans were dressed accordingly during Smith’s Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con fan Q&A Saturday afternoon.
So far, I count 9 fezzes in the theater lower level waiting for #DoctorWho's Matt Smith. #WWSTL
— Kurt Greenbaum (@kgreenbaum) April 5, 2014
Smith’s three-year reign as the Doctor ended in 2013; actor Peter Capaldi has taken over.
Matt Smith's advice to Peter Capaldi: "Listen to no one." Encouraged Capaldi to make the role his own. #DoctorWho #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 5, 2014
Fans quoted lines from the show, gushed and shared their favorite “Who” experiences. Smith noted that American fans are very enthusiastic in their fandom than their European counterparts, calling the British “a bit more reserved.”
Tiny voice below: "I have two things to say. The first is, 'Hello, sweetie.'" The crowd roared. #wwstl #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/FfWBFCzOBf
— Kurt Greenbaum (@kgreenbaum) April 5, 2014
Favorite episode? "Blimey, that's a tough one," says Matt Smith. He goes with "The 11th Hour." #wwstl #DoctorWho
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 5, 2014
Matt Smith says he also enjoyed "Vampires in Venice" and "Christmas Carol" and "anything with the angels in it." #wwstl #DoctorWho
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 5, 2014
Favorite part of "Who"? "The people," says Matt Smith. #DoctorWho #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 5, 2014
Favorite #doctorwho location: Croatia for "Vampires of Venice," says Matt Smith. #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 5, 2014
What keeps the Doctor from being cynical? "He's really clever, and there's a sort of gift in his soul" that helps him deal with pain. #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 5, 2014
A young fan scans Matt Smith to make sure he's not a Zygon. (He passed.) #doctorwho #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 5, 2014
Companion Mart Smith would must like to travel with: Rose Tyler. #doctorwho #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 5, 2014
Favorite monster? Scariest monster? Matt Smith's favorite and scariest: Weeping Angels. Silence are No. 2. "Daleks are everything." #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 5, 2014
Most interesting thing while filming "Who"? Getting the script — the first read. "Fascinating people and actors," says Matt Smith. #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 5, 2014
Before the Doctor’s last regeneration, there was speculation that the Doctor would be a woman. Smith said he would be in favor of such a move in the future.
A female Doctor? Matt Smith says yes. "It would be very interesting," he says. #doctorWho #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 5, 2014
"Will there ever be a female #DoctorWho?" "There could be, and maybe she's in this room." Emma Thompson was Matt's idea. #WWSTL
— Kurt Greenbaum (@kgreenbaum) April 5, 2014
The Doctor travels (through time and space) with a companion. During Smith’s tenure, his main companion was Amy Pond, played by Karen Gillan, and her husband, Rory, played by Arthur Darvill.
"@KarenGillan2 is just ridiculous," says Matt Smith. Calls her a good friend and great drinking buddy. #wwstl #DoctorWho
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 5, 2014
Who's the bravest companion? Rory wins the audience vote. Matt Smith concurs. #DoctorWho #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 5, 2014
"Chicks in America love Arthur Darvill," says Matt Smith. He seems a bit baffled by it. #wwstl #DoctorWho
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 5, 2014
Gillan will host her own Q&A session Sunday afternoon.
Follow @ericasmith and @kgreenbaum on Twitter for Day 3 updates from Wizard World St. Louis.