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The ongoing thirteenth series of Doctor Who<\/a> has introduced fans to a plethora of new characters \u2013 from new companion Dan (John Bishop) to mysterious space travellers Vinder (Jacob Anderson) and Bel (Thaddea Graham).<\/p>\n And one new character who has played a major role in recent instalments is the devious Grand Serpent, played with real menace by former Line of Duty<\/a> star Craig Parkinson.<\/p>\n The character was first seen in the third chapter, Once Upon, Time<\/a>, when he was introduced as Vinder\u2019s rather despotic old boss \u2013 and showrunner Chris Chibnall recently confirmed that he had written the role especially for Parkinson.<\/p>\n \u201cCreating villains and monsters for Doctor Who takes teamwork,\u201d Chibnall explained in this week\u2019s issue of Radio Times<\/strong> magazine. \u201cEvery monster is the result of an assembly of talents. The starting point can be an image, an idea or an actor.<\/p>\n \u201cI wrote the Grand Serpent specifically for Craig Parkinson,\u201d he added. \u201cWe\u2019d wanted him in the show for a long time. For a warm, funny and delightful man, Craig can do cold, quiet and threatening in a way that chills the blood.<\/p>\n And he concluded, \u201cI didn\u2019t mention to Craig the disgusting way the Grand Serpent dispatches his enemies \u2014 I left that as a surprise for when he read the script!\u201d<\/p> After his first Doctor Who appearance, Parkinson revealed that his role on the show was only just getting started<\/a>, explaining on Twitter that there was \u201cmuch more to come\u201d from the Grand Serpent.<\/p>\n Responding to a fan who had Tweeted, \u201cIt seems like there\u2019s got to be more with Vinder in the future\u2026 at least I hope,\u201d Parkinson replied: \u201cOh there is.\u201d<\/p>\n And he reassured another fan, telling them not to panic after they tweeted that they\u2019d hoped Parkinson would be in it \u201cwaaayyyy more\u201d.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t panic Much more to come https:\/\/t.co\/y0UNkVKnsp<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Craig Parkinson (@Cparks1976) November 14, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote>