57 years later and the Toymaker is back.
Very soon after Neil Patrick Harris was cast as the Doctor’s latest nemesis in the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials, fans started theorising that he was playing the Celestial Toymaker.
For those unaware of the Toymaker, the character first appeared in 1966, and was seen separating William Hartnell’s First Doctor from his companions and forcing them to play childish games before being they could return to the TARDIS.
Now, after months of waiting it has finally been confirmed – Harris is indeed playing the Toymaker, with this being the character’s first appearance in the long-running sci-fi show in 57 years.
Harris’s role as the Toymaker was confirmed following the debut of the latest trailer for the 60th specials, which aired ahead of the first Strictly Come Dancing live show.
🎲 Neil Patrick-Harris is the Toymaker.
— Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) September 23, 2023
Find out more ➡️ https://t.co/7lzHYMLove pic.twitter.com/1kj3HseVdA
It wasn’t the only reveal in the trailer, which also confirmed that Jemma Redgrave is back as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart and that Donna will get her memories of the Doctor back – for better or worse…
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The trailer also included another sneak peek at Ncuti Gatwa‘s Fifteenth Doctor, who will debut following David Tennant’s return to the show, in which he is now playing the Fourteenth Doctor.
Meanwhile, Yasmin Finney’s Rose Noble also made an appearance, as did the Miriam Margolyes voiced Beep the Meep.
Returning showrunner Russell T Davies said in a statement alongside the trailer’s release: “This is just the start, as the fever starts to burn. We’re heading for a November full of Doctor Who surprises, for fans and new viewers alike. Stay alert!”
Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer with episodes of the classic series also available on BritBox – you can sign up for a 7-day free trial here.
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