Fans are gearing up for another season of Doctor Who, kicking off with specials that feature returning stars Fourteenth Doctor (David Tennant) reuniting with Donna (Catherine Tate) as they battle a new villain. Also returning is showrunner Russell T. Davies, who has been hyping up the upcoming special episodes, and he has some great things to say about the show’s new villain, the Toymaker, played by Neil Patrick Harris.
Davies recently spoke to Total Film magazine about casting Harris in the role of the classic but mostly forgotten Doctor Who villain, saying, “You need an extraordinary actor to match David at the height of his powers.” Harris is best known for playing Doogie Howser, M.D. on the show of the same name in the 90s as a teen, then starring in the successful ensemble comedy How I Met Your Mother from 2005-2014. He has also has success on Broadway, and has dabbled in playing a villain in the Netflix show, A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Davies continued:
“Bear in mind that this is David’s TARDIS, his Doctor, his name in the titles. It’s not easy for guest stars to come into that. You need that size, you need that experience, you need that skill to match him, otherwise you’re in danger that the Doctor will tapdance all around you. That’s what Neil brings… a vast performance that is properly terrifying.”
Michael Gough originated the Toymaker character in the classic Doctor Who Series 3 serial The Celestial Toymaker, where the villain faced the First Doctor, played by William Hartnell. The Toymaker is a mischievous villain who enjoys trapping others and forcing them into playing childish games with their freedom at stake. The Toymaker is also a sore loser who rigs the games in his favor.
Harris will appear in the last of the three Doctor Who 60th-anniversary specials, titled “The Giggle.”
The Doctor Who 60th anniversary special episodes include “The Star Beast,” which will premiere on Saturday, November 25; “Wild Blue Yonder” on Saturday, December 2; and then “The Giggle” on Saturday, December 9.
via: CB
