Paul McGann on the Doctor Who 60th: ‘My guess, most us will be asked to get involved’

Screen OD staff

It’s been a few weeks now since the announcement that Ncuti Gatwa has been cast to play the 14th incarnation of the Doctor in the BBC’s Doctor Who. In that time we have heard from a great many people on the subject including the stars of Sex Education, former showrunners of Doctor Who like Steven Moffat and many former Doctor Who stars like Karen Gillan, Peter Capaldi and Matt Smith.

And now it’s the turn of the Eighth Doctor, Paul McGann, who portrayed the character in the 1996 TV movie of Doctor Who which bridged the gap between classic Who and the rebooted series which returned in 2005 under Russell T Davies.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo at Comic Con Liverpool (video can be seen here on Cultbox) McGann said he believed the show was “in good hands” with Ncuti Gatwa taking over the lead, admitting that he hadn’t seen his work until recently.

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“I didn’t know his work at all” McGann explained.

“I’d not watched any of Sex Education until someone made me watch it. I really thought it was good. And he looks great. I just think again, we’re in good hands. And I love it that he’s young, because they needed that.”

He added “I don’t think another middle aged so-and-so. Particularly like a white male, it probably would have been, it would have been wrong.”

McGann went on to reveal what another former Doctor, Sylvester McCoy, said to him when the new casting was revealed.

“And also, it’s another Scottish actor. When he was cast, McCoy texted me and said ‘Scots 4, Scousers 2′”

And the Eighth Doctor actor also had kind words to say about incoming showrunner Russell T Davies, explaining he thought the show had such longevity because it had been entrusted to people who genuinely loved it.

“I’m made up that it’s Russell T Davies who’s taken charge again because he really knows what he’s doing and there’s genuine love for it. You now, for Doctor Who. The only reason Doctor Who is, the reason it has survived and thrived for so long down the years is that people who have genuinely loved it have run it.”

He added that he thought the show has a bright future.

“Now it looks safe. Because clever people who love it are running it.”

And although he hasn’t been asked yet, he is expecting along with other former Doctor Who alumnus for a call for the 60th Anniversary of the show, which comes around in 2023 and is expected to be the first major appearance of Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor.

“It’s my guess, that most of us who are still around will be asked to get involved, and that’s how it should be – because the fans like it that way.”

Here’s hoping for a lot of familiar faces and an epic episode.