10 Major MCU Actors Who Also Starred in Doctor Who

by

Over the past sixty years, a number of actors have found success in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the classic British science fiction show, Doctor Who. First airing in November 1963, Doctor Who is now the longest-running science fiction series on television and a hugely popular franchise. The show was rebooted in 2005, and since then, its run has coincided with the rise of Marvel’s cinematic universe, giving several well-known actors the opportunity to appear in both worlds.

While many actors have appeared in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Doctor Who, this list focuses on those who’ve significantly impacted the MCU. It includes actors who played small roles in Doctor Who, companions to the Doctor, and even those who portrayed the Doctor themselves – all of whom have gone on to make memorable and important contributions to the MCU. Some of these actors will continue to be part of the MCU for years to come, even after their time on Doctor Who has ended.

10) Christopher Eccleston as Malekith and the Ninth Doctor

Christopher Eccleston is well-remembered for launching the revived Doctor Who series in 2005, playing the Ninth Doctor. Though he only stayed for one season, his passionate and moving performance was key to the show’s successful return. However, his role as Malekith in the Marvel film Thor: The Dark World wasn’t as impactful, and it’s a pity he didn’t get a more significant part in the MCU, considering his talent and previous success with Doctor Who.

9) Letitia Wright as Shuri’s Black Panther and Anahson

Before becoming known as Shuri in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Black Panther, Letitia Wright appeared in a smaller role on Doctor Who. In the episode “Face the Raven,” she played the alien Anahson, who was involved in the storyline that led to the departure of companion Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman). Now, Wright has a much larger part in the MCU as the new Black Panther, taking over the role after the heartbreaking loss of her brother (Chadwick Boseman) in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Fans can expect to see Shuri again in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.

8) Sacha Dhawan as Davos and the Master

As a huge Marvel fan, I was thrilled to hear that the old Netflix Defenders shows are now officially part of the main Marvel Cinematic Universe! That means characters and storylines we thought were separate are now canon. Specifically, Sacha Dhawan’s Davos – you might remember him as the Iron Fist’s rival from the Iron Fist series – is now part of the MCU. He stole the Iron Fist power from Danny Rand, but then lost it to Colleen Wing and got arrested. It’s great to know he could reappear down the line, which is a clever move – it reminds me a lot of how they bring villains back in Doctor Who. In fact, Dhawan is a fantastic actor who I already loved as the latest version of The Master opposite Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor, so I’m really excited to see what Marvel does with him!

During special episodes celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2023, the Toymaker (Neil Patrick Harris) revealed he’d trapped the Master inside his golden tooth. A mysterious woman then stole the tooth, freeing the Master and setting up his return in future episodes of Doctor Who. The Master is a classic Doctor Who villain – a rogue Time Lord driven mad by the Time Vortex. While Sacha Dhawan, who recently played the Master, likely won’t return to the role, the character could be reimagined with a new actor. However, Dhawan might reappear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Davos.

7) Mark Gatiss as Ted Gilbert and Professor Richard Lazarus, Danny Boy, Gantok, and Captain Archibald Lethbridge Stewart

Mark Gatiss is well-known for his work on Doctor Who, having written nine episodes since the show’s return and also appearing as several characters, including Professor Lazarus, Danny Boy, Gantok, and Archibald Lethbridge Stewart. More recently, Gatiss joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Ted Gilbert, a talk show host modeled after Ed Sullivan, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He provides narration for a montage showing the Fantastic Four’s early years on Earth 828.

6) Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker’s Spider-Man and Frank

Years ago, appearing on Doctor Who was a major goal for many young British actors and often launched their careers. Andrew Garfield was one of them, playing Frank in the 2007 Doctor Who episodes “Daleks in Manhattan” and “Evolution of the Daleks.” This role helped him gain recognition and eventually led to him being cast as Peter Parker in Sony’s The Amazing Spider-Man films. He later reprised the role in the 2021 hit Spider-Man: No Way Home, and his version of Spider-Man has become incredibly popular.

5) Gemma Chan as Minn-Erva and Sersi, and Mia Bennett

Before becoming well-known in shows and movies like Humans, Crazy Rich Asians, and Mary Queen of Scots, Gemma Chan first appeared on TV in Doctor Who in 2009. She played Mia Bennett, a crew member on a failed mission to colonize Mars in the episode “The Waters of Mars.” Chan later joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as the Kree warrior Minn-Erva in Captain Marvel, and then played a more significant role as Sersi in Eternals. While it’s uncertain if the Eternals characters will return, fans would love to see Sersi back in future MCU films.

4) Toby Jones as Arnim Zola and the Dream Lord

Toby Jones is a highly popular actor in England, and it’s not surprising he’s appeared in major franchises like Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and Doctor Who. He first appeared in Doctor Who in 2010 as the Dream Lord, a manipulative character who challenged the Doctor and his companions, Amy Pond and Rory Williams. A year later, he joined the MCU in Captain America: The First Avenger playing Arnim Zola, a Nazi scientist working with the Red Skull to create advanced weaponry. Jones continued his role as Zola in later Captain America films, the animated What If…? series, and the Agent Carter television show.

3) Chukwudi Iwuji as the High Evolutionary and Carl Peterson

Chukwudi Iwuji recently gained recognition in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the villainous High Evolutionary in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. His character obsessively experiments on creatures, including Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), in a misguided quest to build an ideal society. Years earlier, in 2011, Iwuji played a very different role – FBI agent Carl Peterson – in the Doctor Who episodes “The Impossible Astronaut” and “Day of the Moon.” In that appearance, Carl brought a mysterious figure, Canton Everett Delaware III (Mark Sheppard), to President Nixon (Stuart Milligan) to help investigate a frightening threat known as the Silence. This was one of Iwuji’s earliest roles on television.

2) David Tennant as Kevin Thompson’s Kilgrave and the Tenth Doctor

As a huge sci-fi and superhero fan, I think it’s fair to say David Tennant is Doctor Who for a lot of people. He wasn’t just the Tenth Doctor, stepping into the role after Christopher Eccleston, but he even came back years later as the Fourteenth! Everyone raves about his take on the Doctor – he brought such energy, a playful spirit, and real emotional depth to the character. It’s fascinating to me that he can flip that around completely, because he was terrifying as Kilgrave in Jessica Jones. Kilgrave is honestly one of the most disturbing villains in the Marvel universe; that mind control power was genuinely creepy. Even though Jessica Jones ultimately defeats him, he still clearly affects her, and you can tell the trauma lingers. He’s just a really impactful actor.

1)  Karen Gillan as Nebula and Amy Pond

While David Tennant is famous for playing the Doctor, Karen Gillan has achieved remarkable success in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She first became well-known for her role as Amy Pond, a companion to the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith), from 2010 to 2012. Before joining the MCU, her character was famously sent back in time by a Weeping Angel. She then starred as Nebula, Thanos’ daughter, in some of the biggest blockbuster movies ever made, and her time as the character may not be finished yet.

Karen Gillan is well-known for playing Nebula in several Marvel films, including the Guardians of the Galaxy series, Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, and Thor: Love and Thunder. She’s also voiced the character in the animated What If…? series. Gillan’s portrayal of Nebula has made the character a key figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with a compelling story of growth and change. Gillan has hinted at wanting to return to the MCU, and fans are hoping to see Nebula appear in future films like Avengers: Doomsday. Beyond Marvel, she’s also celebrated for her role as Amy Pond, a beloved companion in the long-running series Doctor Who.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/feature/what-went-wrong-with-doctor-who-on-disney-why-its-ended-after-just-2-seasons/embed/#

Read More

2025-11-08 20:44