Doctor Who villain actor Nabil Shaban dies, aged 72

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Nabil Shaban – who played memorable villain Sil in Doctor Who – has passed away at the age of 72.

The actor, who was born in Jordan and is British, first played the role in the 1985 Doctor Who story ‘Vengeance on Varos’. He then returned the following year for the ‘Mindwarp’ story within ‘The Trial of a Time Lord’.

He later reprised the role in audio form in various Big Finish adventures.

Besides Doctor Who, he’s appeared in smaller parts in films like City of Joy, Wittgenstein, Born on Fire, and Children of Men.

One of Shaban’s biggest accomplishments was starting the Graeae Theatre Company in 1980 with Richard Tomlinson. Graeae is now recognized as the UK’s leading theatre company focused on creating opportunities for deaf and disabled artists and performers.

He started the company because of his lifelong struggle with osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition that causes brittle bones.

Graeae Theatre Company shared a heartfelt post on Instagram announcing the death of their founder, Nabil Shaban. The post included a photo of Shaban and expressed their deep sadness at his passing.

He left behind an incredible legacy, and the theatre world would have been far less vibrant without his work to challenge boundaries. We proudly display this portrait in our office as a constant reminder of our goals, and we are deeply saddened by the loss, offering our condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him.

Numerous former coworkers and fans shared tributes to Shaban online, including Nicola Bryant, known for her role as Peri Brown in Doctor Who.

She expressed her sadness about the death of Nabil Shaban, describing him as a talented actor, a good friend, and a memorable Doctor Who villain. She also highlighted his commitment to supporting disabled actors and his enthusiastic approach to his work.

Set and costume designer Phil Newman shared news of the passing of Nabil Shaban, describing him as an amazing and kind actor. Newman felt privileged to have worked with Shaban on ‘Sil and the Devil Seeds of Arodor’ in 2019, praising his professionalism and warm personality. He extended his condolences to Shaban’s wife, Marcela, and his family, friends, and colleagues.

Director and producer Keith Barnfather shared on Facebook that Nabil was an extraordinary person, full of life. He described Nabil as unlike anyone he’d ever known, someone who defied the odds from the very beginning. Barnfather noted that Nabil faced life-threatening challenges from birth but refused to give up.

He lived life to the fullest, always giving everything he had. He overcame immense challenges, including prejudice, unfair judgment, systemic obstacles, and a severe disability – which he openly acknowledged and didn’t shy away from describing honestly.

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2025-10-26 14:35