‘Doctor Who’ season 8 spoilers: New details on John Hurt’s 50th anniversary ‘Doctor’

Just in case you were wondering, we now have some more information as to what it really takes in order to get some details on the “Doctor Who” 50th anniversary special: All you have to do is be a member of the Royal Family.

As you may recall, the news recently came out that Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall had the opportunity to visit the show’s rather-famous set in Wales, and in the process of doing so, costume designer Howard Burden reportedly (per the Telegraph) said the following about the mysterious role of one John Hurt, who is coming on board the show in the role of a”dark Doctor” that we have not seen or heard of on the show to this point:

“There was a gap between Paul McGann playing the Doctor and Christopher Eccleston, when we didn’t see a regeneration, and John Hurt will fit into that gap. He is a past Doctor, not a future Doctor.”

During the season 7 finale, Smith’s Doctor described Hurt’s character as a man who gave up his name and much of what it meant to actually be The Doctor, and thanks to that, his actions were singular and not so much in the name of anything. This character, judging from the photo alone, looks as though he has gone through a great deal of suffering already … and it could only become more intense from here on out.

Are you excited to see what Hurt brings to this role? The 50th anniversary special, and the second-to-last “Doctor Who” episode to feature Matt Smith in the title role, will air on BBC One and BBC America on November 23. If you want to read more on the Royal visit to the Wales set along with some other “Doctor Who” casting news, just be sure to visit the link here.

Photo: BBC One