Matt Smith learns to ride for a new episode of Doctor Who

Doctor Who star Matt Smith has fulfilled his dream of being a cowboy after learning to ride for a new episode of the cult show.

The 29-year-old – who had never ridden before – rides a “telepathic” horse called Susan in a western-themed episode of the new series, called “A Town Called Mercy”.

“We’re in the Wild West and I get to ride horses and play a cowboy. Guns, saloon bar doors… You literally get Doctor Who does the Wild West,” Matt told the Radio Times.

“A Town Called Mercy” will be shown on BBC One this Saturday (15 September).

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