Over time, several well-known faces from film and television have made guest appearances on “Doctor Who”, a science fiction show with an impressive history. Given its longevity as the longest-running sci-fi series on TV, it’s no surprise that many talented actors have passed through its doors. While some may be familiar as the Doctor or his companions, others have taken on supporting roles in the Doctor’s week-to-week adventures. This has given a platform for big names in Hollywood and beyond to make an appearance on the BBC series.
For such a long time, Doctor Who has been graced with actors who later found fame, having initially gained recognition through their roles on the show. Conversely, some stars were already legends when they joined Doctor Who, lending an air of sophistication and credibility to the series that keeps it engaging and thrilling. It’s always a treat to spot these guest stars in Doctor Who, and it’s even more intriguing to speculate about which other talented individuals might join their ranks should the show continue beyond Series 15’s climactic ending.
10) Olivia Colman
As a movie aficionado, I can’t help but admire Olivia Colman, a British comedian known for her roles in “Peep Show,” “That Mitchell and Webb Look,” and “Fleabag.” Yet, she’s also an Academy Award-winning actress, recognized globally for her performances in “The Favourite,” “The Lost Daughter,” and the upcoming “Wonka.” Despite her illustrious career, her brief appearance as the villainous Prisoner Zero in the 2010 episode “The Eleventh Hour” of “Doctor Who” Series 5 was nothing short of exhilarating. She transformed into a mother and her two daughters, engaging in an intriguing confrontation with Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith).
9) Andrew Garfield
Prior to his roles in movies like “The Amazing Spider-Man,” “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Tick, Tick… Boom!”, “Never Let Me Go” and “We Live in Time”, Andrew Garfield initially garnered public attention when he starred as Frank in the two-part series 3 episodes of “Doctor Who”, titled “Daleks in Manhattan” and “Evolution of the Daleks”. In these episodes aired in 2007, New Yorker Frank resided in Hooverville, a makeshift settlement in Central Park during the Great Depression. Here, he assisted the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) and Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) in confronting the return of the Cult of Skaro, a menacing group of Daleks. Frank managed to survive this encounter, ultimately rising through the ranks of Hooverville.
8) John Hurt
Renowned for his appearances in some of the most iconic films and series ever made, like Alien, Harry Potter, Nineteen Eighty-Four, The Lord of the Rings, and many others, John Hurt graced the stage during Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary special. In 2013’s “The Name of the Doctor,” Hurt was introduced, followed by a brief appearance in the mini-episode “The Night of the Doctor.” The epic “The Day of the Doctor” later unveiled that the War Doctor was the Doctor’s incarnation during the Time War, an aspect his subsequent selves had been attempting to forget due to the emotional toll of his actions. This role was fitting for the legendary actor John Hurt, who passed away.
7) Daniel Kaluuya
After Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) tearfully departed from “Doctor Who”, the Tenth Doctor undertook a series of solo journeys before regenerating, one of which was the 2009 special titled “Planet of the Dead”. This production featured Michelle Ryan, Lee Evans, and Adam James, but more notably, it showcased one of the earliest screen appearances of Daniel Kaluuya. Kaluuya has since risen to prominence as a powerful and inspiring actor, gracing high-profile productions such as “Get Out”, “Black Panther”, and “Widows”, and even securing an Academy Award for his role as Fred Hampton in “Judas and the Black Messiah”.
6) Maisie Williams
Maisie Williams, known for playing Arya Stark on HBO’s Game of Thrones, has expanded her acting repertoire to include roles in films like The Falling, Mary Shelley, The New Mutants, and Pistol. However, her performance as Ashildr in the Doctor Who series 9 was particularly noteworthy. In this role, she acted opposite Peter Capaldi (the Twelfth Doctor) and Jenna Coleman (Clara Oswald). Ashildr was a Viking puppet maker and storyteller who received immortality after battling the alien Mire. Over time, Ashildr encountered the Doctor and Clara multiple times throughout history, with their final encounter taking place when Ashildr was traveling with Clara – now on the verge of death – in her own TARDIS.
5) Simon Pegg
Simon Pegg gained recognition in the UK by co-creating the show “Spaced” alongside Nick Frost, and later frequently teamed up with him, becoming particularly well-known for their collaborations in “Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz,” and “The World’s End.” Known as a self-declared geek, Pegg has since landed roles in various franchises such as “Star Trek,” “Star Wars,” “Mission: Impossible,” and even “Doctor Who.” In 2005, he portrayed the Editor, the human representative of the Mighty Jagrafess, opposite the Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) in the episode “The Long Game.” Sadly, his character met an unfortunate end when his overpowering boss detonated.
4) Carey Mulligan
Prior to gaining recognition for roles in films such as “Promising Young Woman,” “Maestro,” “Saltburn,” “The Great Gatsby,” and “She Said,” Carey Mulligan had already made a significant impact on television. In the 2007 episode of “Doctor Who” titled “Blink,” she delivered an outstanding performance as Sally Sparrow, a character who confronted the terrifying Weeping Angels after they sent her friend back in time. This episode, considered one of the best in “Doctor Who’s” history, greatly contributed to Mulligan’s rise to fame due to her compelling portrayal of Sally Sparrow.
3) Bill Nighy
Nearly every renowned English actor you can imagine has been featured in Doctor Who, and Bill Nighy is no exception to this trend. Known for his exceptional performances in movies such as Love Actually, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Harry Potter, and About Time, Nighy also graced the screen in an episode of Doctor Who. In this particular appearance, Nighy’s character, Dr. Black, played a pivotal role in one of the series’ most moving and beautiful scenes. The Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) brought Vincent Van Gogh (Tony Curran) into the present day, whereupon Nighy’s Dr. Black delivered an emotional monologue about the immense impact and genius of Van Gogh and his work. This moment touched the struggling artist deeply and left Doctor Who‘s audience in tears.
2) Letitia Wright
Prior to achieving stardom as Shuri in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther franchise following Chadwick Boseman’s passing, Letitia Wright initially started her acting career with guest appearances on British TV shows. These roles included Humans, Black Mirror, Top Boy, Coming Up, and Banana. In 2015, she also portrayed the psychic Anahson in series 9, episode 10 of Doctor Who titled “Face the Raven.” Although her role was small, it played a crucial part in the narrative of Clara Oswald’s demise at the hands of the raven, the Shade, and the Twelfth Doctor rediscovering Gallifrey.
1) Ian McKellen
Sir Ian McKellen may not have graced the screens of Doctor Who with his physical presence, but his voice left an indelible impact. A renowned actor on both stage and screen, McKellen is admired globally for his iconic, beloved, and influential roles. In the 2012 Christmas special, “The Snowmen,” he lent his distinctive voice to the Great Intelligence, a character concealed within the snow who controlled Richard E. Grant’s Dr. Simeon. Over time, the Great Intelligence was nurtured and transformed into a powerful adversary after years of slumber. This role for McKellen is undoubtedly one that will be fondly remembered as one of Doctor Who’s most memorable and exhilarating guest performances.
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2025-07-23 23:11