The actor took over the role of The Doctor from Matt Smith at Christmas having previously made a brief cameo in the 50th Anniversary special, The Day of the Doctor.
In the picture above he’s seen wearing Smith’s costume, minus the bow tie, suggesting the first episode takes place just moments after the Christmas Special’s closing scene.
Capaldi’s casting was announced in August in a live TV special which drew 6.9m UK viewers and more than 1.5m international fans.
Later this month the actor will be seen as Cardinal Richelieu in the first series of BBC One’s The Musketeers. It’s been reported that his casting as The Doctor will prevent Capaldi from appearing in a second series of the Alexandre Dumas-inspired drama.
As filming started on a brand-new era of the Sci-Fi classic, Capaldi said: “New job, first day, slightly nervous. Just like the Doctor, I’m emerging from the TARDIS into a whole other world.”
Capaldi’s Doctor will be accompanied by companion Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman, who also appeared alongside Smith.
Ben Stephenson, BBC Controller of Drama Commissioning, said: “Excitement and anticipation fills the air as Peter Capaldi’s Doctor takes control of the TARDIS for the very first time today. It’s going to be one hell of a ride and I can’t wait for the journey to start.”
Filming us now underway on episodes 1 and 2 of the eighth season which have been written by Steven Moffat and Phil Ford respectively and are being directed by Ben Wheatley. The new Doctor is expected to arrive on screens this autumn.