Doctor Who series 8: First episode air date revealed with Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman

Viewers will meet the Twelfth Doctor on Saturday 23 August on BBC One

Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman will star in Doctor Who series 8 in August (BBC)

The first episode of the new eighth series of Doctor Who is set to air on Saturday 23 August.

Peter Capaldi will star as the Twelfth Doctor in the feature-length premiere entitled "Deep Breath", with Jenna Coleman returning as his companion Clara.

An exclusive 15-second teaser clip was broadcast on BBC One this evening, confirming the date and offering a first-look glimpse of the new Time Lord.

Capaldi is seen silhouetted against fire, looking sinister. "Clara be my pal and tell me - am I a good man?" he asks.

"I don't think I know who the Doctor is anymore," an anxious-looking Clara replies.

Capaldi takes over from Matt Smith, who played the Eleventh Doctor from 2010 until last year.

The 56-year-old spoke of the “privilege” of being asked to replace Smith, saying at the time: “Like The Doctor himself, I find myself in a state of utter terror and delight.

“It’s so wonderful not to keep this secret any longer, but it’s been so fantastic.”

Earlier this week, the goodbye scene between David Tennant's Doctor and Billie Piper's Rose was voted the greatest sci-fi scene in history.