The Long-Awaited Comeback of Doctor Who's Toymaker: RTD's Take on an Iconic Villain

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Russell T Davies, the showrunner of Doctor Who, reveals his reasoning behind selecting the Toymaker as the central antagonist for the highly anticipated 60th anniversary special. He commends the character's exceptional blend of both menace and wit.

In the third special called "The Giggle," the renowned actor Neil Patrick Harris will bring the character of The Toymaker to life, capturing the spotlight as he unleashes his overwhelming power upon Earth. Despite a prolonged absence and previous unsuccessful endeavors to revive the character, The Toymaker has made notable appearances in numerous Doctor Who expanded media, revealing his extraordinary skill to alter reality and engaging in formidable encounters with various incarnations of the Doctor.

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has revealed his decision to reintroduce the Toymaker for the show's 60th anniversary, despite the character's last appearance being 57 years ago. The Toymaker, originally played by Michael Gough alongside William Hartnell, will take center stage in the third special titled "The Giggle," with Neil Patrick Harris taking on the role. Davies explained to SFX Magazine that he chose the Toymaker because of the character's ability to balance both fear and humor, making it accessible to both new and old audiences. He assured fans that the storyline would be satisfying for long-time viewers as well.

My lord, one of the most exhilarating moments in my writing career was penning the first page of "The Giggle" script. It was at that point I truly grasped the sheer brilliance of The Toymaker. Initially, I had imagined him as a commendable villain, someone I could have fun with. However, as I delved deeper into the script, I realized that he was more than just good; he was extraordinary. A force to be reckoned with, yet still full of humor. Utterly dangerous. I am absolutely enamored with him!

Of course, this was before we had determined the streaming platform. Please bear in mind that a significant portion of this script had already entered production. It could have been Netflix, Amazon, or any other numerous options. In fact, we approached a multitude of streaming services as part of our job to explore every avenue. Each one showed significant interest. Hence, as I write this, I am aware that regardless of the final destination, the potential audience would be much larger. So, with that in mind, should I provide an explanation of who exactly the Toymaker is?

In a science fiction setting, having a renowned actor play a cosmic villain named the Toymaker just feels right. Imagine Spider-Man swinging into an apartment one day and encountering the Toymaker; it would immediately establish the type of villain he is. Thus, his presence is highly logical. Additionally, there is a memorable flashback with Michael Gough, which is truly delightful. Interestingly, when I submitted the script, my agent exclaimed, "Oh, I remember the Toymaker portrayed by Michael Gough." It seems that even someone who isn't a science fiction enthusiast can hold a strong recollection of him.

Surprisingly, we anticipated some resistance towards the inclusion of old characters, continuity, and adventures. However, we've encountered none. As long as there is a clear explanation provided, audiences may inquire, "Who is this? Who is that?" Nonetheless, they understand that fans will eagerly embrace these elements. It has been a delightful experience overall. Truly lovely.

Why Doctor Who Took 57 Years To Revisit The Toymaker

Despite several attempts to bring back the villain, The Toymaker only made his return to television screens after a break of 57 years. The intention was to fulfill the prophecy of the First Doctor from "The Celestial Toymaker" much earlier. The Sixth Doctor, played by Colin Baker, was supposed to face this character in the episode "The Nightmare Fair" during the classic era's season 23. The storyline would have featured Gough reprising his role as the Toymaker, posing a challenge to the Doctor at a Blackpool amusement park. However, due to a format change and a long hiatus, the episode was never produced for the television series.

The Toymaker has made a comeback in various forms of Doctor Who's expanded media, including comics, novels, and audio dramas. In Big Finish's audio dramas, The Toymaker encountered the Sixth Doctor in "The Nightmare Fair," took on the Seventh Doctor in a 1926 Swiss sanatorium, and engaged in a dangerous game with Eighth Doctor's companion, Charley Pollard, in a mysterious toyshop. As the 60th anniversary approaches, with the introduction of Beep the Meep on screen and the Toymaker's return to a toyshop, "The Giggle" could draw inspiration from these encounters that have yet to be depicted on screen.

Although other classic adversaries may be more recognizable to the general audience, the Toymaker stands out as one of the Doctor's most formidable foes due to his reality-altering capabilities, which even managed to trap the First Doctor. Striking a balance between honoring the show's established lore and appealing to new viewers can be challenging when incorporating elements from the extensive history of Doctor Who. However, Davies carefully considered this dilemma while crafting "The Giggle," making it an excellent reintroduction to one of the oldest and most powerful villains in the Doctor Who universe.

The 60th-anniversary specials of Doctor Who are scheduled to premiere on November 25th on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer for viewers in the UK. International audiences will be able to watch them on Disney+.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled about the return of the Toymaker in the upcoming Doctor Who 60th-anniversary special. The Toymaker is an iconic villain with a rich history in the Whoniverse, and I can't wait to see how Russell T Davies and Neil Patrick Harris bring him to life.

I appreciate that Davies is taking a fresh approach to the character while still staying true to his roots. The Toymaker is a complex and nuanced villain, and I'm excited to see how he challenges the Doctor and his companions. I also think it's great that Davies is bringing back Michael Gough's incarnation of the Toymaker for a flashback scene. This will give new fans a chance to see the original Toymaker in action, and it will also be a treat for longtime fans of the show.

Overall, I'm very excited about the return of the Toymaker in Doctor Who. I think he's a great villain, and I can't wait to see what he has in store for the Doctor.