Call it a surprising encounter: How Neil Patrick Harris, known for his roles in How I Met Your Mother and It’s a Sin, stepped into the world of the iconic British time travel series, Doctor Who. Showrunner Russell T Davies revealed that the American actor was completely new to the beloved science fiction show when approached to play the villainous Toymaker in the final 60th-anniversary special episode, “The Giggle.”
“He’d never heard of it in his life, bless him,” Davies shared with a laugh. Having previously collaborated with Neil Patrick Harris on It’s a Sin, Davies recognized Harris’s unique talents were perfect for the role. “The Toymaker, he’s kind of the god of games, so he shuffles cards, he does magic tricks, and all of that fits Neil Patrick Harris.” Davies bypassed typical agent channels, directly texting Harris the offer. The actor’s initial reaction was one of complete unfamiliarity, even asking, “Let me get this right, so the Doctor’s an alien, right?” Despite his Doctor Who virginity, Neil Patrick Harris was captivated by the role and journeyed to Cardiff for filming, resulting in what Davies described as a “spectacular time.”
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Neil Patrick Harris in ‘Doctor Who’ as The Toymaker. Disney+
The Toymaker’s history in Doctor Who stretches back to the 1960s, originally played by Michael Gough alongside William Hartnell’s Doctor. This updated iteration sees Neil Patrick Harris’s Toymaker pitted against the returning duo of David Tennant and Catherine Tate, reprising their fan-favorite roles as the Doctor and Donna Noble for the show’s 60th-anniversary celebrations. Davies emphasized the challenge of finding a formidable adversary for Tennant and Tate. “It’s very hard to find the villain who can match David Tennant and Catherine Tate. To have a character who can be in danger of defeating those two is very hard to find.” For a villain as significant as The Toymaker, casting was paramount. “We needed that man, and, god, we had a glorious time. It’s so lovely working with Neil.” The positive experience has Davies already thinking ahead to future collaborations with Harris.
David Tennant echoed Davies’s enthusiasm for Neil Patrick Harris’s casting.
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Neil Patrick Harris brings The Toymaker to life in ‘Doctor Who’. Disney+
“Oh, he’s good,” Tennant affirmed. “I don’t quite know if he knew what to expect, but he dived in with such gusto and brio.” Tennant highlighted the diverse skillset required for the Toymaker role, noting Neil Patrick Harris’s exceptional suitability. “This part requires a lot of skill sets and Neil turns up with them all…you need a sort of an all-round entertainer to play that part and a very good actor.” The casting choice was met with excitement, and Tennant admitted, “it’s impossible to imagine who else it might have been.” He further praised Harris’s work ethic and charismatic personality, qualities Tennant believes are essential for Doctor Who. “He’s a sort of theater animal, so he’s got that bit of graft about him… And he’s got a twinkle in his eye, which is sort of the combination of elements that you need for Doctor Who, I think.”
“The Giggle,” featuring Neil Patrick Harris as the Toymaker, premiered on Disney+ on December 9th, marking a significant chapter in the Doctor Who saga and introducing a captivating new villain to audiences worldwide.
