Paul McGann On His Time as the Eighth Doctor

Andrew Reynolds is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Doctor’s return to our screens – albeit for one night only and to celebrate his debut as the Doctor, Paul McGann has been reflecting on his experiences as the Eighth Doctor.

Looking back on his time on board the TARDIS for the 96 TV Movie – a co-production between the BBC and Fox in the US – McGann admitted that it “feels like a bit of a dream now”.

 “What I was asked to do by Fox and the Beeb and Universal, back on the pilot, was actually really specific,” he explained. “It was quite strict. I had to do as I was told – but with good reason. They were taking a punt. It was very speculative.

“When we made it, we were following a pretty strict edict. It’s got to do this, it’s got to include that, he must wear this. But with the proviso that, if it did go, we’d then get more latitude, and get to include some of my own ideas. But it’s all hypothetical, because it never happened.”

Acknowledging his own disappointment that he didn’t get to play the Doctor again is one thing but in keeping with his pragmatism, he can’t imagine the show without David Tennant or Matt Smith either.

“Of course, when I joined, there was nothing – it had just been booted into the long grass. So there was disappointment and a bit of gloom and uncertainty,” McGann said.

“Now it’s not just certainty, it’s great, happy days, and there’s all this lovely speculation – where’s it going to go next? And my Doctor of course is part of that.”

Of course, his first appearance on screen in 17 years was The Night of the Doctor, an integral and rather brilliant piece of the 50th anniversary celebrations – however, there was the small matter of keeping it a secret from not only the general public but also, his fellow Doctors. But ultimately, the feeling of validation from fans reaction to his brief return made the experience one that he’d love to do again.

“I don’t mind doing a little bit every now and again and stealing all the glory!” he joked. “It’s quite fun. You’re coming in at the 89th minute and scoring the winning penalty – yeah, I’ll do that.

“Whereas poor old [Peter] Capaldi’s gotta do nine months and 16-hour days. Yeah, OK, let him do that. Let someone else do the heavy lifting!

“Just on a personal level, if I ever had misgivings – just about being in Doctor Who in the first place, or the nature of it – they’ve long since gone. I really enjoy it. It’s a good family to be part of – and it’s still going places. It’s a lovely thing to be associated with.”

To read more about how McGann kept his comeback a secret from his fellow Doctors and the financial concerns following the announcement that his Doctor wouldn’t return head over to Digital Spy.

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