The Astonishing Transformation: How This Doctor Revolutionized the Show with a Dark Twist

Summary

Sylvester McCoy's portrayal of the Seventh Doctor permanently changed the tone of Doctor Who, bringing back the mystery and adding depth to the character.

McCoy's portrayal of the Doctor was more intense, callous, and adept at influencing others, ushering in a new era for the show.

Under McCoy's tenure, the Doctor's enigmatic past was unveiled, allowing subsequent actors to delve deeper into the character's psyche and reviving the show's appeal to a wider audience.

One star forever altered the tone of Doctor Who. The long-standing BBC series, which started in 1963, follows an alien Time Lord with the ability to traverse through space and time. After its initial run ended in 1989, the show was revived in 1996 with a movie and later in 2005 with a series reboot. Due to the Time Lord's ability to regenerate, the lead actor frequently changes, allowing for fresh interpretations of the character and leaving a lasting impact. Ncuti Gatwa's portrayal is scheduled to begin with the 60th Anniversary specials in November.

Nevertheless, it was the actor who witnessed the conclusion of the original series that left the most significant impression on the new era of Doctor Who. Sylvester McCoy, known for his role as the Seventh Doctor, revealed in an interview with Radio Times that his interpretation of the character forever altered the show. A single conversation with former showrunner Steven Moffat unveiled this truth. Take a look at McCoy's quote below:

The Seventh Doctor Changed Doctor Who

As a comedic actor, I entered the scene armed with my bag of tricks, ready to take on the role. Initially, I had a profound realization that this character offered endless possibilities. Additionally, I felt that too much was already known about the Doctor, and the element of mystery had faded away. My aim was to resurrect that enigma and restore the sense of intrigue surrounding the character.

Fortunately, the script editor, Andrew Cartmel, was also unfamiliar with Doctor Who, being Canadian. This lack of knowledge proved to be a blessing for both of us as it liberated us from any preconceived notions or limitations. Initially, the show had a more cartoonish quality, which was undeniably entertaining, but our goal was to infuse it with more profound layers.

During a dinner with Steven Moffat, who had joined as a producer, I witnessed a fascinating transformation. He began the evening as a professional, but gradually morphed into a fanboy, expressing genuine enthusiasm. It was during this encounter that he revealed something astonishing: Our interpretation of the Doctor had given the character a newfound depth and dimension. Unbeknownst to us, we had set the stage for Christopher Eccleston and the subsequent Doctors to explore darker territories. I was thrilled to hear about this unforeseen development. We had simply portrayed the Doctor as we saw fit, but inadvertently steered the character towards a more complex path.

McCoy's entry into the show was initially expected to bring a comedic twist, but his portrayal took a much darker turn. The character became more callous, furious, and adept at manipulating those around him. His tenure on Doctor Who even involved a scheme to exploit the Doctor's enigmatic past, a revelation that would only come to light years later in "The Timeless Child". This storyline allowed the show to introduce uncertainty about the Doctor's origins, adding an eerie quality to the character that had been absent for quite some time.

The events that eventually led to the Time War started when the Seventh Doctor tricked Davros into destroying Skaros. This act not only showcased the manipulative nature of McCoy's Doctor, but also revealed his darker side. In addition to restoring the mystery surrounding the Doctor's origin, his darker qualities paved the way for Eccelston to bring a grounded and modern element to the character. This darkness would ultimately shape the future of Doctor Who.

Eccelston, Tennant, Smith, Capaldi, and Whittaker would later build upon McCoy's portrayal, delving further into the character's psyche. The Time War introduced a gritty element to Doctor Who and to the Doctor, propelling its immense popularity in the 21st century. However, it was the Seventh Doctor who laid the foundation for this transformation. Sylvester McCoy's contribution to Doctor Who is irreplaceable.

Source: RadioTimes