Doctor Who casts How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris in 60th anniversary special (original) (raw)

Doctor Who's 60th anniversary has added another star to its cast in the form of Neil Patrick Harris.

Best known for his appearances in the likes of How I Met Your Mother, The Matrix Resurrections and his lengthy Broadway career, Harris reunites with returning Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies for the sci-fi show's special diamond anniversary celebrations.

The pair previously worked together on Davies' acclaimed drama It's A Sin. Davies shared the first look at NPH's character on Instagram:

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Harris is currently filming scenes which will air in 2023 as part of Doctor Who's 60th anniversary commemorations, and in a statement, Davies hinted that his character might pose a bit of trouble for everyone's favourite Time Lord.

"It's my huge honour to open our studio doors for the mighty Neil Patrick Harris… but who, why, what is he playing? You'll just have to wait," he said.

"But I promise you, the stuff we're shooting now is off the scale. Doctor beware!"

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Following the announcement that Sex Education's Ncuti Gatwa will take over the TARDIS controls from Jodie Whitaker as The Doctor, it's also been confirmed that David Tennant and Catherine Tate will be a part of the 60th anniversary.

They've been seen filming as the Doctor and Donna Temple-Noble on set in London and will be joined by Heartstopper's Yasmin Finney, who's playing a character called Rose.

"Life on Doctor Who gets brighter and wilder, how can there be another Rose? You'll find out in 2023, but it's an absolute joy to welcome Yasmin to the Doctor Who set," Davies previously said.

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"We all fell in love with her in Heartstopper, one of those shows which changes the world – and now Yasmin can change the Whoniverse!"

Bernard Cribbins has also been seen on set for the 60th anniversary, leading to rumours that he could be reprising his role as Donna's grandfather Wilfred Mott.

Doctor Who 's next special premieres in Autumn 2022 on BBC One in the UK. In the US, the show airs on BBC America, with series 1-12 available on HBO Max.

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Kate (they/she) joined Digital Spy in 2011 after studying journalism at Salford University, and has worked as a writer and editor since 2006.

They have previously worked at organisations including the BBC and Metro, and contributed to various music websites, blogs and zines while based in Manchester.

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