The next generation of Doctor Who seems primed to shake things up on as many levels as it can reach. Between new and returning faces both in front of the camera and behind it, the near future of the beloved series has a lot to look forward to. Now, thanks to a new announcement, there's yet another exciting development to gush about.
Neil Patrick Harris, award-winning actor of stage and screen and Barney from How I Met Your Mother, has just joined the cast of Doctor Who and is already working on some exciting scenes set to drop in 2023. He's just one of the many Doctor Who guest actors taking part in the show going forward, but he's certainly arguably one of the most exciting. Or perhaps he'll be playing more than just a guest role. According to previous and returning showrunner Russell T. Davies, he might present an interesting challenge for the time-traveling alien main character known as The Doctor.
"It's my huge honor to open our studio doors for the mighty Neil Patrick Harris," Davies said in a statement regarding Harris' casting, "but who, why, what is he playing? You'll just have to wait. But I promise you, the stuff we're shooting now is off the scale. Doctor beware!" This seems to suggest that the character he'll be playing will probably not be a particularly friendly presence to Ncuti Gatwa's upcoming iteration of The Doctor. Based on the official picture of Harris in the role, that idea might not be far off.
Harris also posted a shot of himself in character to his official Instagram page, offering his gratitude for the role and further hints as to what sort of being he'll be playing. "My current gig," he wrote in the caption. "Never looked more dashing. Thank you for inviting me into your Whoniverse, @russelltdavies63. I'll try my hardest to do my worst. This Doctor has no idea what's in store. And even if he does… Who cares? Ha ha ha HA ha-ha-ha!" Evil laugh? A promise to do his worst? Yep, that sounds like a villain alright. It probably doesn't hurt that he also resembles a grumpy version of Geppetto from Pinocchio.
It seems as though Davies is already going all-out with his return to Doctor Who. Between this and other big news like the return of David Tennant and Catherine Tate, fans are going to have a lot to look forward to. Perhaps Harris will become the new John Barrowman of the series, as the resident experienced American theater and television actor who periodically joins The Doctor for adventures. Hey, nothing wrong with dreaming a little.
Of course, all signs point to Harris playing a villain of some sort, for which he clearly has the acting chops. Maybe he'll channel some of his Count Olaf into the role. But however it turns out, he's sure to be legendary.
Source: DoctorWho.tv