{"id":40981,"date":"2023-12-02T18:50:03","date_gmt":"2023-12-02T17:50:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1915501"},"modified":"2023-12-02T20:34:01","modified_gmt":"2023-12-02T19:34:01","slug":"who-is-the-toymaker-in-doctor-who-neil-patrick-harris-villain-explained","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/who-is-the-toymaker-in-doctor-who-neil-patrick-harris-villain-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Who is The Toymaker in Doctor Who? Neil Patrick Harris villain explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

The character \u2013 then played by Michael Gough \u2013 originated in a 1966 serial. <\/p>

By Louise Griffin\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 02 December 2023 at 17:50 PM<\/p>

\n\n

The 60th anniversary specials of Doctor Who<\/a> continue tonight (2nd December) with the mysterious Wild Blue Yonder<\/a>, starring David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble.<\/p>\n

They will be joined in the third and final special titled The Giggle<\/a> by Neil Patrick Harris, in the role of the iconic villain, The Toymaker.<\/p>\n

Despite its name, Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has hinted that the events of this episode will be no laughing matter\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n

As we gear up for these exciting specials, let\u2019s dive into everything there is to know about The Toymaker and what to expect from his appearance.<\/p>\n

Who is The Toymaker in Doctor Who?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Doctor\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Doctor Who episode The Giggle featuring David Tennant as the Doctor, Catherine Tate as Donna Noble and Neil Patrick Harris as the Toymaker.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The First Doctor, played by William Hartnell, first encountered The Celestial Toymaker, then played by Michael Gough, in an iconic 1966 story, which is now reportedly about to get an animated remake<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here, the Doctor and his companions arrive in an otherworldly domain overseen by the Toymaker \u2013 another immortal entity, who forces them to play a series of games, with the outcome deciding whether they will remain his playthings for all eternity.<\/p>\n

The Doctor was, of course, able to outwit the Toymaker and escape, with the character never making an encore. Plans for a comeback in the 1980s fell by the wayside when Doctor Who was put on hiatus by the BBC during the Colin Baker era.<\/p>\n

Is the Toymaker a Time Lord?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"William\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
William Hartnell and Michael Gough in Doctor Who: The Celestial Toymaker.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Little was explained on-screen about the Toymaker\u2019s origins. However,\u00a0then-Doctor Who script editor Donald Tosh later revealed that, years before the Time Lords were established in canon, the Toymaker was supposed to be a member of the Doctor\u2019s own race.<\/p>\n

2001 spin-off novel The Quantum Archangel suggests that he is instead a Guardian (transcendental beings who embodied aspects of the universe). This has never been verified on television. However, when Zellin, an Eternal, appeared in the season 12 episode Can You Hear Me?, he appeared to confirm a link of some kind between the Eternals, the Guardians, and the Time Lords<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Who is actor Neil Patrick Harris?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Neil\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Neil Patrick Harris as the Toymaker in Doctor Who<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Neil Patrick Harris is known for various iconic TV and film roles, from the titular role in Doogie Howser, MD to Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother. In recent years, he played Count Olaf in Netflix\u2019s adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events.<\/p>\n

As for his film career, he\u2019s appeared in the likes of Starship Troopers, Beastly, and Gone Girl<\/a>, and has also had an illustrious career on stage.<\/p>\n

During his career, he\u2019s won accolades like a\u00a0Tony Award, and five Primetime Emmy Awards.<\/p>\n

At the time of his casting, his character was still under wraps, with showrunner Davies saying: \u201cIt\u2019s my huge honour to open our studio doors for the mighty Neil Patrick Harris\u2026 but who, why, what is he playing?<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll just have to wait. But I promise you, the stuff we\u2019re shooting now is off the scale. Doctor beware!\u201d<\/p>

Doctor Who is available to stream on\u00a0BBC iPlayer<\/a>\u00a0with episodes of the classic series also available on BritBox \u2013 you can sign up for a\u00a07-day free trial here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Check out more of our\u00a0Sci-Fi<\/a>\u00a0coverage and visit our\u00a0TV Guide<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Streaming Guide<\/a>\u00a0to see what\u2019s on tonight.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only \u00a310 \u2013\u00a0subscribe now<\/a>. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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