Fresh off his casting in Doctor Who's 60th Anniversary episode, Neil Patrick Harris has been spotted on set filming the sci-fi show in Bristol just days after he was spotted in Cardiff and filming took place with David Tennant and Catherine Tate in a suburb of the capital.
News of the How I Met Your Mother star's role in the science-fiction show broke on Monday (June 14) when returning showrunner, Russell T Davies, teased that another 'announcement' was incoming. The show has been the centre of attention in 2022 with Ncuti Gatwa's casting as the next Doctor confirmed and the return of Tennant and Tate.
Following sightings of David Tennant on set, Harris has now been seen donning a top hat and smart attire. The popular star's role has yet to be confirmed but in a statement announcing his casting, showrunner Davies said: "Beware Doctor," and it is therefore implied that he will be a villain.
Fans have speculated that Harris could be rival Time Lord, The Master, with a new face. The photo accompanying his casting sees him wearing a red leather apron leading Whovians to suggest that he could be playing 'The Celestial Toymaker', who was first introduced in 1966 in an episode with William Hartnell as the Doctor. It has also been rumoured that Patrick Harris may be playing 'The Meddling Monk' - a character who also found fame in the 1960s.
Neil Patrick Harris' casting implies that Russell T Davies has a grand vision for Doctor Who's 2023 episodes. The incumbent of the title role is currently Jodie Whittaker, who is the first female to take on the role. Under the writing of Broadchurch's Chris Chibnall, Whittaker's tenure in the role has been divisive.
It wouldn't be the first time that Harris has worked with Russell T Davies either, as he previously starred in the hit Channel 4 series, It's A Sin, which raised awareness for the HIV and AIDS Crisis of the 1980s. He is perhaps best known for his role as Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother but has also appeared in A Series of Unfortunate Events and his early role, Doogie Howser, MD.
Following his casting, Harris said on Instagram that he will “try my hardest to do my worst.” Meanwhile, showrunner Davies told fans that in the new character will be the “greatest enemy the Doctor has ever faced”.
Are you excited to see Neil Patrick Harris in Doctor Who? Let us know in the comments
