‘Doctor Who’ season 8: Matt Smith books first gig since shooting Christmas special

While Matt Smith has already been doing quite a few gigs not related to “Doctor Who” during his stint on the BBC series over the past few years, he has now taken on what is his first major role since his time on the show concluded … and it is in the theater rather than on television or in film.

Sources confirm that Smith has landed the role of Patrick Bateman in a new Rupert Goold adaptation of “American Psycho,” the Bret Easton Ellis novel that still has a number of people talking about it years after the fact (which is interesting in it’s own right, because since that time there have been way more shocking works of fiction released). Smith will begin performances as Bateman starting on December 3, and the show itself will officially open on the 12th, and will run until January 25. Let’s just hope that the audience can keep it together and not shout out “where’s Clara?” at him during the performance.

This is clearly a big gig for Smith, who wants to show everyone that he is capable of playing so much more then just the Doctor, including a variety of other new and exciting characters. As the youngest version of the classic character ever, he faces perhaps the biggest challenge out there in being able to come out with the potential to get his own identity in show business. The best thing he can do is just follow his heart and pick some great material, and this news alone suggests to us that he is well on the way to making that happen.

You can next see Smith on the small screen come November 23, which will be when the “Doctor Who” 50th anniversary special will air on BBC stations around the world. Click here if you want to read some more news about the end of filming, and we will have some more scoop to share on the subject soon.

Photo: BBC One